CEV Orion, 606 update - Orbiter-Forum

francisdrake · 04-02-2008, 06:38 PM

I started updating the CEV-Orion, as the current developments show quite a different service module (SM) and RCS thruster concept. Although it is 'just' a different SM it requires modifying all thrusters, repositioning the command module (because the mass-center has changed), new skirt to the Ares 1 launcher, etc.
____

I am trying to use simple materials (without textures) for smaller metal parts, like RCS nozzles, but I am not quite happy with them. They look more or less like shiny plastic, not metal.

Could someone please give me some tips on good settings for metal material (color, specular level, glossiness)? I am using Gmax, but material settings should be the same, regardless of the modelling program.

**Donamy** · 04-02-2008, 06:48 PM

Texturing is the best way.

Brad · 04-02-2008, 08:32 PM

Here is what I usually use:

Ambient 0.3
Diffuse 0.7
Specular 0.1
Emissive 0
Rough: 16.757
Brilliance: 1

R: 130 H 0
G: 130 S 0
B: 130 L 122

Trans is set to 1.

Hope that helps.

**Therius** · 04-03-2008, 12:42 AM

I'm glad to see you are still working on the Orion craft. I'll be anxious to see how it turns out. I've enjoyed your other mods. Take your time! It's looking good so far.

Cale · 04-03-2008, 01:45 AM

Will there be a VC for this model as well? If so, any chance of being able to at least access the MFD's?

Thanks!

Cale

Cosmos · 04-03-2008, 03:02 AM

That looks awesome! Thanks for continuing this.

francisdrake · 04-03-2008, 08:52 PM

1) Brad, thanks for the tips on the metal material!

2) Actually the VC was already enabled in the previous version,
but you can only look around, there are no panels.
Recently info was published on the arrangement of the MFDs.
I will have a look into it, but that will be after the basic update.

3) Thanks for encouraging comments!
____
Question (well, this is a developer forum, after all

)
Is it more effective to have several small textures, which are loaded as required, or one big texture, which is kept in memory?
The 'standard' vessels like the DG use a few large textures (with 256 x 256 pixel), while addons often use smaller textures.

The reason why I am so much after low-poly and economic texture modeling is, the CEV will seldom be used alone, but often in conjuncton with other vessels (ISS, LSAM, mars ships, etc.) It shall be realistic and good looking, but shall not slow down the performance of a bigger stack.

I am grateful to any tips how to improve the graphcial performance of this vessel.

**MajorTom** · 04-04-2008, 03:22 AM

Hot Damn! I've been waiting eagerly for this one a long time. Thanks for updating this, Sir Francis Drake!

Cheers-
MT

n0mad23 · 04-04-2008, 03:54 AM

It's really looking good francisdrake!

I really like the contrast between the black tip of the nose and metal. The windows accentuate this as well.

I was under the impression that it's better to use several smaller textures than a larger one in terms of CPU usage. However, in experiments I haven't seen a significant fps drop when I've used several 512x512 textures with multiple small ones, too. This is with several delta-gliders and dragonflies docked as well.

I'm curious about others' experience with this issue.

francisdrake · 04-05-2008, 08:50 AM

Laucher integration is going on, shown here is the LAS and fairing separation.

On the inside I opted for the black carbon-fibre supporting structure shown on some pictures on the internet (instead of the aluminum pipes).
For the moment I use only 2 payload fairing segments (instead of 3 commonly shown), because of easier programming code (this may change later).

Next step will be updating all the weight and thrust figures,
and making the auxillary thrusters work.

Brad · 04-05-2008, 03:41 PM

This is just fanstatic. Excellent work!

Cale · 04-05-2008, 05:40 PM

Hi Franz,

That's really coming along nicely

Will the CEV itself be compatible with Simcosmos' Direct SDLV version 0.2? The pic you've show looks like it's from Ares I.

Cheers,

Cale

Missioncmdr · 04-05-2008, 06:01 PM

Looks like some cool stuff going on here. Do you have plans on updating the LSAM "Artemis?"

tgep · 04-06-2008, 02:38 AM

Excellent :-) This is one of my favorite current technology add ons. You're doing great. Keep up the good work.

Cale · 04-07-2008, 04:24 PM

Hi Franz,

Just wondering, are there any plans by yourself or Antonio to make the CEV UMMU-compatible? It would be very cool to be able to transfer astronauts from the CEV to/from the ISS or other vessels.

Cheers,

Cale

04-02-2008, 06:38 PM	#1
francisdrake Addon Developer	CEV Orion, 606 update I started updating the CEV-Orion, as the current developments show quite a different service module (SM) and RCS thruster concept. Although it is 'just' a different SM it requires modifying all thrusters, repositioning the command module (because the mass-center has changed), new skirt to the Ares 1 launcher, etc. ____ I am trying to use simple materials (without textures) for smaller metal parts, like RCS nozzles, but I am not quite happy with them. They look more or less like shiny plastic, not metal. Could someone please give me some tips on good settings for metal material (color, specular level, glossiness)? I am using Gmax, but material settings should be the same, regardless of the modelling program.

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04-02-2008, 06:48 PM	#2
Donamy Beta Tester	Texturing is the best way.

04-02-2008, 08:32 PM	#3
Brad Addon Developer	Here is what I usually use: Ambient 0.3 Diffuse 0.7 Specular 0.1 Emissive 0 Rough: 16.757 Brilliance: 1 R: 130 H 0 G: 130 S 0 B: 130 L 122 Trans is set to 1. Hope that helps.

04-03-2008, 12:42 AM	#4
Therius Donator	I'm glad to see you are still working on the Orion craft. I'll be anxious to see how it turns out. I've enjoyed your other mods. Take your time! It's looking good so far.

04-03-2008, 01:45 AM	#5
Cale Orbinaut	Will there be a VC for this model as well? If so, any chance of being able to at least access the MFD's? Thanks! Cale

04-03-2008, 03:02 AM	#6
Cosmos Orbinaut	That looks awesome! Thanks for continuing this.

04-03-2008, 08:52 PM	#7
francisdrake Addon Developer	1) Brad, thanks for the tips on the metal material! 2) Actually the VC was already enabled in the previous version, but you can only look around, there are no panels. Recently info was published on the arrangement of the MFDs. I will have a look into it, but that will be after the basic update. 3) Thanks for encouraging comments! ____ Question (well, this is a developer forum, after all ) Is it more effective to have several small textures, which are loaded as required, or one big texture, which is kept in memory? The 'standard' vessels like the DG use a few large textures (with 256 x 256 pixel), while addons often use smaller textures. The reason why I am so much after low-poly and economic texture modeling is, the CEV will seldom be used alone, but often in conjuncton with other vessels (ISS, LSAM, mars ships, etc.) It shall be realistic and good looking, but shall not slow down the performance of a bigger stack. I am grateful to any tips how to improve the graphcial performance of this vessel.

04-04-2008, 03:22 AM	#8
MajorTom Ker-splash!	Hot Damn! I've been waiting eagerly for this one a long time. Thanks for updating this, Sir Francis Drake! Cheers- MT

04-04-2008, 03:54 AM	#9
n0mad23 Addon Developer	It's really looking good francisdrake! I really like the contrast between the black tip of the nose and metal. The windows accentuate this as well. I was under the impression that it's better to use several smaller textures than a larger one in terms of CPU usage. However, in experiments I haven't seen a significant fps drop when I've used several 512x512 textures with multiple small ones, too. This is with several delta-gliders and dragonflies docked as well. I'm curious about others' experience with this issue.

04-05-2008, 08:50 AM	#10
francisdrake Addon Developer	Laucher integration is going on, shown here is the LAS and fairing separation. On the inside I opted for the black carbon-fibre supporting structure shown on some pictures on the internet (instead of the aluminum pipes). For the moment I use only 2 payload fairing segments (instead of 3 commonly shown), because of easier programming code (this may change later). Next step will be updating all the weight and thrust figures, and making the auxillary thrusters work.

04-05-2008, 03:41 PM	#11
Brad Addon Developer	This is just fanstatic. Excellent work!

04-05-2008, 05:40 PM	#12
Cale Orbinaut	Hi Franz, That's really coming along nicely Will the CEV itself be compatible with Simcosmos' Direct SDLV version 0.2? The pic you've show looks like it's from Ares I. Cheers, Cale

04-05-2008, 06:01 PM	#13
Missioncmdr Orbinaut	Looks like some cool stuff going on here. Do you have plans on updating the LSAM "Artemis?"

04-06-2008, 02:38 AM	#14
tgep Tutorial Publisher	Excellent :-) This is one of my favorite current technology add ons. You're doing great. Keep up the good work.

04-07-2008, 04:24 PM	#15
Cale Orbinaut	Hi Franz, Just wondering, are there any plans by yourself or Antonio to make the CEV UMMU-compatible? It would be very cool to be able to transfer astronauts from the CEV to/from the ISS or other vessels. Cheers, Cale