Idea Mercury and Gemini add-on improvements

[4throck]

Here's the Canaveral.cfg I'm using with all the pads using the high detail meshes. Pad numbers and comments are 100% not correct. Use at your own risk and please backup your .cfg files!

BASE-V2.0
Name = Cape Canaveral
Location = -80.675 +28.5208
Size = 1000
MapObjectsToSphere = TRUE

BEGIN_OBJECTLIST
; 1
LPAD2
POS -218.39 0 -87.58
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 45
TEX Lpad02
END
; 2 - lc18 - blue scout
LPAD2
POS 7965 0 11104
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 45
TEX Lpad02
END
; 3 - lc26 - jupiter
LPAD2
POS 8596 0 10187
SCALE 0 0 0
TEX Lpad02
END
; 4 lc12 -atlas
LPAD2
POS 4455 0 13043
SCALE 0 0 0
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE K-LC-14
POS 4455 15 13043
SCALE 1 1 1
ROT 90
OWNMATERIAL
UNDERSHADOWS
OWNMATERIAL
END
; 5 lc13 -atlas
LPAD2
POS 3872 0 12807
SCALE 0 0 0
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE K-LC-14
POS 3872 15 12807
SCALE 1 1 1
ROT 90
OWNMATERIAL
UNDERSHADOWS
OWNMATERIAL
END
;6 lc15-titan
LPAD2
POS 2715 0 12315
SCALE 0 0 0
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE K-LC-19
POS 2715 16 12315
ROT 90
SCALE 2 2 2
UNDERSHADOWS
OWNMATERIAL
END
;7 lc16- titan
LPAD2
POS 2117 0 12060
SCALE 0 0 0
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE K-LC-19
POS 2117 16 12060
ROT 90
SCALE 2 2 2
UNDERSHADOWS
OWNMATERIAL
END
;8 lc20-titan
LPAD2
POS 960 0 11589
SCALE 0 0 0
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE K-LC-19
POS 960 16 11589
ROT 90
SCALE 2 2 2
UNDERSHADOWS
OWNMATERIAL
END
;9 lc36-atlas
LPAD2
POS 5488 0 13455
SCALE 0 0 0
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE K-LC-14
POS 5488 15 13455
SCALE 1 1 1
ROT 90
OWNMATERIAL
UNDERSHADOWS
OWNMATERIAL
END
;10
LPAD2
POS 210 0 -46
SCALE 0 0 0
TEX Lpad02
END
;11
LPAD2
POS -11196 0 5309
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 90
TEX Lpad02
END
; Launch Complex 14 Tower
MESH
FILE K-LC-14
POS 3279.5 15 12555.3
SCALE 1 1 1
ROT 90
OWNMATERIAL
UNDERSHADOWS
OWNMATERIAL
END
;misc
MESH
FILE KSC_3
POS -11200 -11 5300
ROT 90
TEX Cape18
END
MESH
FILE KSC_4
POS -11200 -11 5300
ROT 90
TEX Cape19
END
;11
LPAD2
POS -11196 0 5309
ROT 90
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE KSC_9
POS -7550 0 -1550
ROT 123.5
OWNMATERIAL
END
; Landing pad for LC14-12
LPAD1
POS 3289 0 12559
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 180
TEX Lpad02
END
; Landing pad for LC5-13
LPAD1
POS 9045 0 9981
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 180
TEX Lpad02
END
; Landing pad for LC19-14
LPAD1
POS 1534 0 11833
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 180
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE K-LC-19
POS 1516 16 11830
ROT 90
SCALE 2 2 2
UNDERSHADOWS
OWNMATERIAL
END
; Landing pad for LC3-15
LPAD1
POS 6124 0 13737
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 180
TEX Lpad02
END
; Landing pad for LC11-16
LPAD1
POS 5024 0 13308
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 180
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE K-LC-14
POS 5024 15 13308
SCALE 1 1 1
ROT 90
OWNMATERIAL
UNDERSHADOWS
OWNMATERIAL
END
;LC5 and LC6 Complex------
; Launch pad for LC5 17
LPAD1
POS 9036 0 9981
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 180
TEX Lpad02
END
MESH
FILE K-Pad-5
POS 9001.5 20 9992
ROT 1
OWNMATERIAL
UNDERSHADOWS
END
;Launch pad for LC6-18
LPAD1
POS 8887 0 10044
SCALE 0 0 0
ROT 180
TEX Lpad02
END
RUNWAY
END1 6832 0 11828
END2 4962 0 9434
WIDTH 87
NRWSEG 9
RWSEG1 1 1.79282868525896E-02 0.25 0.5 1 0.875
RWSEG2 1 8.76494023904383E-02 0 0.25 0.5 0
RWSEG3 1 1.79282868525896E-02 0.25 0.5 0.75 0.625
RWSEG4 1 8.76494023904383E-02 0 0.25 0.5 0
RWSEG5 5 0.573705179282868 0 0.25 1 0.5
RWSEG6 1 8.76494023904383E-02 0 0.25 0.5 0
RWSEG7 1 1.99203187250996E-02 0.25 0.5 0.625 0.75
RWSEG8 1 8.76494023904383E-02 0 0.25 0 0.5
RWSEG9 1 1.99203187250996E-02 0.25 0.5 0.875 1
RWTEX Runway2
END
END_OBJECTLIST


That's it!


---------- Post added at 11:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 PM ----------

If you can paint textures, could you also produce a few panel bitmaps?

Yes, it's all a matter of time. I try not to lose myself in too many projects, and so now I'm concentrating in Mercury repaints right now. But I'll research the Mercury panels (I have more material about Gemini) and after the capsule and rockets are finished I can look into panels. I like the existing panels but yes, some detailing based on photos could give them a more realistic feel.

A question: I'm trying to get a good match to the Mercury capsule's color and I think that a lighter capsule looks better. Opinions? Does it look real on your screens ? It the new color better? I tried to approximate the capsules on display (original hardware under natural light as much as possible, not replicas)

 

[startrekmaniac]

It looks good!!!! Off topic you should include gus grissoms hatch, after we land.

 

[Urwumpe]

I have to complain about the state of the sources in the Project Mercury subversion:

"Missing texture: MERCURY\SCANNERGLASS.dds"

Also, I had do spend some minutes fixing warnings, and not all had been related to implicit type casting, but many also to missing type specifiers and "&" instead of "&&" in if statements.

Also, some code sequences are no longer OSI C++ conform and create compiler errors, because VC6 was never standard C++ (for example the scope of for loops changed).

 

[Lunar_Lander]

The pictures look very good! (I like especially the new "United States" because it now looks like it has been painted on the grid-like surface, and the old one just looked like normal letters)

I would keep it that way (although that one picture of MA-9 on the pad looks like the capsule is pitch black, maybe they used different paints in the program?)

 

[4throck]

I've managed to match the font used for the original texts, so I looks more similar than before. Also, the ridges are accurate (right number) so I can simulate the painting look.

As for the capsule color, It's not 100% black. I used recent digital photos of actual hardware and the average color is dark grey. Under sunlight and with reflections and shadows, parts of the capsule can look darker because they are in shadow, and other much lighter because they are reflecting sunlight. This is difficult to achieve in Orbiter and with the current 3D model, so I'm trying to get the general look right, although it will never be 100% correct under all situations. Still, the final version of the textures will be a little darker that the images posted.

 

[kino_astroboy]

Staging cameras in the Titan would be really nice for Gemini.

An example:

 

[4throck]

Hi again! Some screenshots of the almost complete Mercury capsule repaint. Just a few details to go! I've worked on the reentry pack to make it more metal like and on the window (with astronaut!). The general capsule look now is slightly darker than before and neutral color (before I was using a slight yellow tint). Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Please see http://orbiterspaceport.blogspot.com/2009/05/mercury-capsule-final-touches.html for all the images.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ZTGehN-2...3zSL8d-V_w/s1600-h/09.05.08+00-14-03+MR-4.jpg

​

​

save

 

[Lunar_Lander]

Bom trabalho 4throck (I hope Babelfish gave me the correct words for saying "Good Job" )

I like the new meshes very much. Have you finished all six capsules (as we've seen MR-3, MR-4, MA-7 and MA-8 now), or are MA-6 and MA-9 still to be done?

Cheers !

 

[4throck]

Bom trabalho 4throck ... Have you finished all six capsules

Muito obrigado ("thanks" yes the translation is right)!

I'm working on all capsules. Right now I'm adjusting things like the number of ridges visible under the part were the mission logo is painted, and on how all the textures fit together. This is important because if one part is more detailed it will stand out from the rest. I still have some work to do with some of the lettering, as some patches that you find on the net are different from the real paint job on the capsules. I'll make the DDS textures available here soon for comments and corrections!

Just one thing, I'm not changing the meshes! Just the texture files. That's why some of the bolts are stretched, It's just the way the textures are mapped on to the meshes. I'll leave that sort of corrections to someone with more experience on 3D modeling. Of course, my new textures could be used with new improved meshes, so it's a win - win situation: they will work with the current mesh and show were it can be improved.

 

[kino_astroboy]

4throck, good pics for your textures from an unused Mercury capsule, Freedom 7-II:

 

[4throck]

Thanks. I have made extensive searches on the web for good pictures and already had some from Freedom 7-II. Actually, I've based the retropack on the first image you posted ! Also the capsule color was based on that picture series, as it is not 100% black.

Now I'm working on the Atlas booster, and it's coming along nice but it's perhaps the hardest think so far to get right.That shiny metal look is very hard to get hard. But I'm adding nice details and happy with the improvements.

One think that I'd like to explore is sound. I like the detailed Mercury sounds, but quality is somewhat low. I could improve them if some good source of real and original mission, rocket and capsule sounds is available. Thinks like voice communication are ok as they are, but the tower jettison or alarms could be better, perhaps even with some surround effects or something (although I have no clue as to what direction the environment sounds should come in a tiny capsule... So there's room for research here. Thinks like: are there any accurate sound sources ? Did the alarm sounds came from a speaker and were was it located? Or did everything came from the astronaut's headphones?

 

[Puma]

great textures !

4throck: can i download the beta files of this textures including the tower here :

 

[4throck]

I'll make the files available as soon as possible.
Patience, these things take time (I've started working on Mercury/Gemini for over a year), and I have to put every texture on it's proper folder, see what add-ons are involved, etc. When I have things settled there will be a beta version posted here for comments and corrections.

One thing that was mentioned before but that we can discuss now is how to release my improvements.

- It could be a simple texture repaint add-on
- It could include updated base config and situation files.

The second option requires perhaps four add-ons to be previously installed (the detailed launch pads, project mercury, mercury fixes, etc). It's just too complicated and not at all practical if you have to reinstall Orbiter!

Perhaps someone could contact the original authors of all the addons (I can provide a list), merge them and re-upload a single instalation version to Orbiter Hangar. This would consolidate the publicly avaliable add-ons and simplify further development of some of the ideias discussed here. I will probably do it myself, but it would take time that I rather use to finish the Mercury textures!

 

[kino_astroboy]

I recently created an Atlas-Agena for Gemini using multistage2. I heavily based it on the Atlas-Agena found in Jim Williams's Ranger 7 add-on. I also used 4throck's Atlas textures. I did not define the Agena as a payload because of the CTD bug, which means it is only an upper stage with no docking capability whatsoever.

It would be really helpful if someone donated an Atlas-Agena interstage mesh and texture. I am using the interstage found in Mercury for now. I have included a JPG file of the interstage if someone would be interested.

 

[4throck]

Here's a beta version of my Mercury textures. The capsule should be mostly OK, but the rockets are still work in progress. The Atlas is still a long way to go.

I've uploaded the textures here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/234153313/mercury_textures_beta.rar.html

As always, please backup you original texture files !
Any corrections or suggestions are welcome.

---------- Post added at 09:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 PM ----------

... also used 4throck's Atlas textures...

I have no problem with that, but I've already uploaded new textures and the Atlas has been updated!

Could you share that Agena so that we can try it with Gemini ? As for the interstage mesh and texture, perhaps I could manage that.. At least I think I could duplicate the Mercury one and put the proper texture on it.

 

[Lunar_Lander]

Again, very nice work by the both of you !

Out of curiosity, or better as a trivia question: Wikipedia has it, that there were some undone Mercury flights. MA-10 was to be Freedom 7 II, of which we've seen the pics. But there were also MA-11 and MA-12 which were not done (MA-11 was to be done by Grissom and MA-12 by Schirra). However, capsule names are not known.

http://www.spacefacts.de/cancelled/english/mercury-10.htm
http://www.spacefacts.de/cancelled/english/mercury-11.htm
http://www.spacefacts.de/cancelled/english/mercury-12.htm

Most crazily, Wikipedia correctly lists MA-10 as a 3 day flight (as it has been planned that way), but MA-11 and MA-12 are listed as one day: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Mercury#Astronauts (see the chart)

I don't think that NASA would have stepped back from three days to one day.

Would you also model capsules for these flights? The challenge would be to make up names, experiments and a flight plan, as they do not exist .

 

[4throck]

What we need are blank versions (with no name) of the capsule (at least one early version with the porthole), so that we could simulate the unmanned flights. Ham the chimp would be nice to fly!

Seriously, perhaps I could remove the name/patch from Freedom 7-II and use it for all those 3 planned missions.Another option is to accept that the same capsule was reused for the 3 flights...

Another option is to create some sort of batch file that swaps the texture files for the capsule before running Orbiter, but that would be complicated for the user and lead to confusion.

 

[Saturn V]

I'd started along these lines a few years ago...

Unfortunately, with the economy what it is, I haven't had much time for Orbiter of late.

 

[Urwumpe]

Wow. now that looks good

 

[Puma]

looks great! where can i download it ?

can i download a beta of that :speakcool:?

I'd started along these lines a few years ago...

Unfortunately, with the economy what it is, I haven't had much time for Orbiter of late.