Question How to create a simple rocket that works

[carlpilot]

I have Anim8or and am trying to make a simple launch vehicle that works.

Is it possible to make a working rocket with Anim8or or will I need another program/programs?

I don't have much money to spend on software so any freeware suggestions are most welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Carlpilot

 

[Urwumpe]

You only need the mesh and a configuration file for Orbiter, in the \cfg\vessels\ folder.

In the configuration file, you can write all the information needed for making the mesh fly as vessel. Download the SDK for this, it contains some useful tools and manuals for that.

 

[Space-viking]

I have Anim8or and am trying to make a simple launch vehicle that works.

Is it possible to make a working rocket with Anim8or or will I need another program/programs?

I don't have much money to spend on software so any freeware suggestions are most welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Carlpilot

With the help of the 3DS2MSH or one of the scripts that are avalible for Anim8or and a little reading of the Orbiter SDK documentation you should have no problems making a working launch vehicle for orbiter. If you plan to make a DLL for your launch vehicle there are some excelent guides on how to setup the free 2005/2006 express editions of Microsoft VS C++ on the Orbiter wiki

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I'm working on something along the same lines now. Mine will be multistage2 (for now). I used anim8tor as well, and the textures are pretty simple.
Have a look...
http://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=15265

 

[ar81]

[nomedia="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2730"]Anim8or tutorial: How to model a rocket (Lesson 2)[/nomedia]

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I can vouch for ar81's tutorial, it's worth the download (get the other anim8tor tutorials as well).
Texturing is kind of an art form, I'm learning as I go. It's less voodoo than I thought, but can still be tricky.

 

[RisingFury]

I can vouch for ar81's tutorial, it's worth the download (get the other anim8tor tutorials as well).
Texturing is kind of an art form, I'm learning as I go. It's less voodoo than I thought, but can still be tricky.

And from my experience working with UnrealEditor - level design tool for Unreal Tournament - the texturing is more important then the mesh.

A high poly count cannot compensate for bad texturing (and lighting), while good texturing can easily compensate for lack of polies.