New Release Arrow Freighter SAS upgrade

[chrothor]

Hi,

First post, first addon :tiphat:

Having lurked the forums and fiddled with Orbiter for many years, I'm rather happy to contribute at last.

This is basically a "harness" for the Arrow Freighter, adding 3 docking ports, without modifying any existing vessel.

There are many shortcomings to this first version, but for a 6 hours hack I think it's not so bad :lol:

For my defense, I have to say that I never modeled anything 2 days ago, and I happily admit that my textures are utter cr*p.

If anyone feels the urge to improve this, you're welcome, but it will stay my "toy" for some time, as I plan on using it to learn SERIOUS addon making.

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Sweet!

Not bad for a first try! And more docking ports on the Arrow are sorely needed. :thumbup: and :tiphat: to you, sir!

 

[Scattykat]

Thank you for this much needed modification :thumbup:

Have downloaded and extracted! :tiphat:

 

[TMac3000]

This solves a very pernicious problem with my Iron Hill Project:thumbup:

Thanks for making this; I'll be downloading this soon, and scrapping one ship from the project

 

[mojoey]

1. Awesome!
2. how did you get orbiter to run on a mac?

 

[chrothor]

1. Awesome!
2. how did you get orbiter to run on a mac?

1. Thanks !

2.That's no mac, it's a spa... a skin for Win xp

 

[Cras]

Well done sir. Great idea for an add-on. The Arrow badly needed additional docking ports.

 

[Interceptor]

Thanks,Great,and very useful.:thumbup:

 

[Gr_Chris_pilot]

Really really nice!!! Thanks a lot, waiting for the updates:thumbup:

 

[chrothor]

Extremely minor update !

I learned how to model "bendy things", so I slightly modified the visual aspect of the lateral dockings. Anyway, the original mesh had a rogue vertex causing a glitch (some kind of infinite black line going forward).

I also removed the (useless) textures, and chose instead a nice and classy chrome finish.

Since the first post, I managed to install and properly configure VC++ 2010, so I may try to make a dll to get rid of UMMUFA. Don't expect too much though

Stay tuned !

 

[TMac3000]

Okay, how do I set the IDS docking freqs?

 

[Ripley]

Why don't you upload it to OH?

 

[chrothor]

Okay, how do I set the IDS docking freqs?

Set them in game :

F4 -> custom -> scenario editor (remember to enable it in the launchpad)

then EDIT the SAS, go to the docking menu, tick the "IDS frequency" case for each dock and set its frequency.

Save your scenario, you're done.

Why don't you upload it to OH?

Maybe when I'll have something stable and fully functional

 

[TMac3000]

Never mind, I set them permanently in the CFG file
Thanks for the tip tho; I'll keep it in mind

 

[TMac3000]

I really like this addon, but there's just one very sticky problem, and it relates to the upcoming IHP mission:
Won't I have to jettison the harness before landing? If so, it would be more realistic to have it carried up to LEO, or attached on the moon, before the actual mission.

 

[chrothor]

You're spot on the main defect of the SAS : as it is a "docking adapter", you can't land with it.

I see it as a modification made on the Arrow once in orbit (imagine a team of russian enginers spacewalking from ISS and jury rigging it in preparation for the mission).
You could un-modify it while in orbit of Mercury, if you have the specialists on board.

I don't see any easy way around this, maybe something can be done with attachments instead. That's why I'm currently working on a DLL version, as attachments aren't easily manageable otherwise.

To be honest, I was eager to share this with the community, but it was a bit hurried. I'm relieved that you plan on using it, because you'll act as the first "beta-tester" in a complete mission

Maybe the next and better version will be available for the next rotation to Mercury...


PS :
I just thought about it : a vessel is not considered landed if its engines are still on.
so you could keep the Arrow running on "idle" while grounded, unmount the SAS, and then shut all of. Just use the inverse procedure for departure.
Disregard this, I... made a mistake :facepalm:

PPS : this gives me LOTS of ideas for future developpment, my head will explode :lol:

 

[TMac3000]

It would be easy to suspend disbelief just a little bit, and have the Odyssey start out on the Moon, and then scenario edit the thing on just as the ship lifts off...it's not unrealistic, just a bug workaround.

I'm honored that your upgrade will have its baptism of fire on IHP

 

[Lydia]

Heres an idea to avoid the landing issue, dont dock it, but use Universal Cargo Deck to mount it so it looks docked and then u can land with it

 

[Interceptor]

Or,if you don't want to use universal cargo deck just put an attachment point right where the dock port is, that way when you unattach the sas it will automaticaly dock after a few seconds.and when you go to land just undock,and attach the SAS back to the arrow.Hope this helps.

 

[chrothor]

UPDATE TIME !

So, I've made a dll. :woohoo:

Basic functions have not changed, but now UMMU is integral to the mod, so you don't need UMMUFA any more to transfer crew between the docked vessels.

The main advantage is that I have paved the way to add advanced functions : as some of you suggested, I think I'll add a system to attach the SAS to the Arrow, allowing it to land.

I can't say how much time it will take, because I'm still learning the API.

As usual, I'll keep on posting new versions, as soon as significant progress is made.

On a side note, I'm rather happy with the advancement rate of this project, knowing that I started from scratch (really) only six days ago.