Ready to take addon developing seriously

[Pilot7893]

Here goes! My first project is to get a simple sphere into Orbiter. Once I know how to code it and everything, I can move on to modeling and texturing.

 

[jarmonik]

Seriously ? What that supposed to mean ? Am I taking development of IMFD seriously ? Well... Maybe it shouldn't be taken too seriously since it's just a hoppy after all atleast for now.

But anyway, you wanted to make a sphere. I suppose you need a 3D modelling tool, a mesh converter and Vinka's Spacecraft.dll

 

[RisingFury]

It means that he's ready to make an addon that's a bit more advanced then what you can do with just configs - at least in my interpretation.

Of course it's a hobby. None of us makes a living from playing Orbiter or addon development.

Pilot:
http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/

Here's a good C++ tutorial. And if you need some help with C/C++, just post or PM

Hopefully we can see flying sphere some time int he future :lol:

 

[MajorTom]

Here goes! My first project is to get a simple sphere into Orbiter. Once I know how to code it and everything, I can move on to modeling and texturing.

When I started messing about with add-ons, what took me the longest was figuring out how to get the key elements of scenario, config files and meshes all to cooperate so I wouldn't crash Orbiter upon start-up.

So strive to get something to appear in Orbiter first. Get your sphere (or other simple shape) to appear on the ground at KSC first, is my suggestion!

Then you can start running "up the learning curve" trying more and more ambitious stuff. Like spacecraft and multistage dll's from Vinka.

Edit: I suggest Vinka's dll's because it reduces rocket and spacecraft design to its bare minimum...a series of data sets for each separate spacecraft or rocket stage. Trying to learn all this AND the Orbiter SDK at the same time seems a daunting task, at least to me.

MT

 

[NukeET]

None of us makes a living from playing Orbiter or addon development.

How I wish that statement was false.

 

[tblaxland]

Here goes! My first project is to get a simple sphere into Orbiter. Once I know how to code it and everything, I can move on to modeling and texturing.

Can I suggest a cube instead of a sphere? It makes orientation easier. This is what I have used for some experiments:

 

[Woo482]

oh no ITS THE +X cube ! and a cube is also easier to make in a 3d modeling program

 

[Urwumpe]

Even worse. It is a cartesian cube!

Now... can I have a 4 dimensional hypercube?

 

[astrosammy]

I've just downloaded Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition, I think I'll also try to code something.

 

[Russ_H]

Hi

I think that everyone should start with spacecraft3 add-on's, and learn the manual for spacecraft3 front to back. Spacecraft3 is like an entry level class for add-on making. Spacecraft3 will teach you how to get your add-on into orbiter with the examples. After you get to know spacecraft3 take some time and make a a few add-on. You do not have to post your first add-on just make an add-on that you like so you have fun working on it.

So now that you know spacecraft3 and you want to do more it is time to read some c++ primer books. You may even want to start reading them as you are making your spacecraft3 add-on's this will take some of edge off of learning c++. After a short time in the primer book should cover how to compile a project. This is gold to you because you can now download the free complier and the free complier set up. Use them to set up the sample code for the Delta Glider and compile it. You will also have to download some other files but this is all outlined in the free compiler document. I know for a fact that every thing you need is in this document to get the Delta Glider to compile. I have read the document ever time I set up a new project. Learn how to debug because you can look at the code as the program is running and see what is going on line by line in the code.

Russ