Project So... I've decided to make an addon

[eveningsky339]

I have felt compelled to take the plunge into the world of addon making. Not too long ago I picked up some anim8or tutorials and went to work. After this first step, I discovered a truth about myself that seems to keep resurfacing: a drunken polar bear with rabies can make art better than I can. My progress with anim8or has been slow and frustrating, but now I believe I am to a point where I can make a semi-acceptable flying mesh.

I decided to use a simple orbital craft mostly based on the Spacehab Apex, though unlike the Apex I have put the inflatable heat shield in the front. I have also used "wrap around" solar panels as opposed to the traditional "branch" panels.

Here are some screenies of progress so far...

Ugly little thing, isn't it? I still have some work to do. Right now I am trying to find the standard docking port texture in Orbiter so the passengers can get out. And I still have miles to go in terms of learning how to texture properly. But Rome was not built in a day.

 

[liber]

Anim8tor is good but for modeling I use Sketch Up,much faster way making model,Anim8tor use just for export to 3ds and for animation reference point.
Maybe you shoud try make model with some other program than Anim8tor for modeling depend which you find easy to use.


-----Posted Added-----


Here is demo video if you have nerve to watch.

http://www.speedyshare.com/326116799.html

 

[Star explorer]

do you know how to code

 

[James.Denholm]

Argh, pity you're using Anim8or, IMHO Blender's the way to go with this stuff. That said, I've never used Anim8or (my opinion is purely from looking at it's horrid interface, and the fact that there's a lot more many people using Blender in the wide world than Anim8or), and I'm only learning Blender...

 

[MajorTom]

There are a few of us...myself included...who swear by AC3D for developing meshes, and for the very easy application of textures. 10 times faster than using Anim8or.

 

[unussapiens]

I don't mean to offend anyone, but I've used a large range of 3D modelling programs (Maya, 3DS Max, XSI, GMax, Blender, Milkshape, Wings3D... Just to name a few) and I must say that anim8or is my least favourite.

I'm not saying it's bad, just I can't see anything particularly good about it. I have seen some impressive meshes made with anim8or, but I prefer other programs.

I swear by blender, and I would love to see more people using it.

BTW, your addon seems of not too bad quality. Once you get some good textures it should make quite a nice addon. (I should really learn to make textures at some point...)

 

[liber]

do you know how to code

If you asking me don't know coding,don't know any programing language.

 

[n72.75]

looks cool

i always feel better reentering forwards for some reason...

 

[n122vu]

Looks good. Better than what I could come up with, definitely.

Glad to see some comments about anim8or, and glad I'm not the only one who feels that way about it. Was wondering if anyone used Blender.

es339, I think you've inspired me to jump into the addon arena myself...keep up the good work!

 

[eveningsky339]

Anim8or is clunky, I know, but I'm going to finish this up in anim8or regardless. I'll take a look at other 3D modelling softwares when I'm done.

Right now my biggest concern is finding adequate textures. The heat shield looks like a coffee-stained rug.

As for coding, I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I am thinking about making this a simple spacecraft3 vessel, but I really want it to be CVEL compatible, and that will take some extra work.

 

[James.Denholm]

That's a fair point. There's no use in changing when you're in the middle of working on something.

Remember, you can always make your own textures, or find some photos and edit them. Or do a combination of that.

And as for coding, remember, the famous Greg Burch dosen't code. And his addons are still quite awesome.

 

[Zatnikitelman]

Just so you know, Spacecraft3 vessels are CVEL compatible in that they can be put on top of CVEL launchers with no problems in my experience. If you want to use this as a stage or something else however, that's different.

 

[James.Denholm]

Sush, don't tell him that... I need him to learn how to code so he can teach me...

 

[tonykattvc]

Anim8tor is good but for modeling I use Sketch Up,much faster way making model,Anim8tor use just for export to 3ds and for animation reference point.

How do you make the sketchup models into .msh or at least 3ds.

 

[Woo482]

export the sketch up models to you my documents folder (I think you save as google earth)and extract them (if I remember correctly)

 

[liber]

How do you make the sketchup models into .msh or at least 3ds.

Nice and easy...
File - Export - 3D Model and select desire format.
Usually in 3DS,than mesh maker which convert to mesh for orbiter.

 

[eveningsky339]

Sush, don't tell him that... I need him to learn how to code so he can teach me...

Workin' on it.

Oh, and there's been a slight redesign...

I have a touch of OCD, so the quest for the "perfect" texture has been killing me. This may take longer than expected. :beach:

 

[James.Denholm]

Nice! Interesting point, though, those RCS (groups?) haven't got anything to counter when rotating (that's what my limited and possibly false physics knowledge tells me). So, unless those renders show the ship after the heat shield is deployed, you may need another group of RCS thrusters somewhere.

 

[Coolhand]

When rotating thats not a problem, you only need 1 set to rotate if its in the right place... a nudge at the stern on one side will push the bow in the opposite direction around the centre of mass for example.

if you want to translate though you need 2 sets... or one thruster aligned with the centre of mass.

 

[James.Denholm]

When rotating thats not a problem, you only need 1 set to rotate if its in the right place... a nudge at the stern on one side will push the bow in the opposite direction around the centre of mass for example.

if you want to translate though you need 2 sets... or one thruster aligned with the centre of mass.

I said that!