Support Frustrated Wannabe Developer(Newbie) has a Base Maker problem

[Spacecowboy48]

I am not new to Orbiter, having flown a number of successful missions, but I am an absolute newbie when it comes to addons. I want to dress up my Orbiter world and having been studying ar81's base making tutorial. But I am having trouble getting it to work properly. I am hoping (maybe ar81?) could help me. I followed his instructions to the letter in the tutorial except for the following: I could not find anywhere in the properties dialogue box for 3ds2msh program to configure it like the tutorial said-- i=input, o=output. 3ds2msh does nothing to the file when I fire it up, so I converted the files using meshmaker. I put all the meshes and textures in the folders where instructed to. I added the new texture names to base.cfg (w/o extensions), which was not in the instructions. Orbiter shows Tower Base on the moon, it recognizes it in the list of spaceports, but when I go there, I can't see anything at all. I'm wondering if the problem is the same one I am having with the new Wideawke base (I get the island with the meshes, but no base objects). I would really, really like to learn addon development, but if I can't even get the first lesson--a simple base, to work, the outlook doesn't seem hopeful.
This is my latest Orbiter log. I hope it's attached right.

[ATTACH]8358._xfImport[/ATTACH]

It shows several errors, but I have no idea how to fix them. I'm not even sure what a parse error is. And the mesh IS in the proper folder. I have searched just about every thread on this website but have not been able to find an answer. I am running Orbiter 2010 on an XP. Any insight for the problem(s) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,

Spacecowboy48

 

[MaverickSawyer]

AFAIK, ar81 doesn't come here any more. However, I'll try to help you out...

First off, the following lines:

---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> ERROR: Missing texture: AIAtex/wall_logo.dds
>>> [TextureManager::AcquireTexture | .\Texture.cpp | 750]
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> ERROR: Missing texture: AIAtex/VAB_uv.dds
>>> [TextureManager::AcquireTexture | .\Texture.cpp | 750]
---------------------------------------------------------------

indicate that you have not followed the installaion of WIN correctly. You need to open base.cfg and add to the list of textures. Otherwise, Orbiter doesn't know that they exist.

Second, you need to locate the meshes that are missing, as detailed here:

**** WARNING: Mesh not found: .\Meshes\AIAmsh/Airport.msh

**** WARNING: Mesh not found: .\Meshes\Tower.msh

Finally, you can disable the TrackIR module. If you needed to activate it, you would have the hardware for it. Probably not the source of the error, but it never hurts to check.

Hope this helps,
MaverickSawyer.

PS: try csander's Orbiter Base Maker. It's a much more stable program and far more user friendly.

 

[Athena]

You can get the base maker [ame=http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=5607]here[/ame]

 

[Spacecowboy48]

It's Working Now!

Thanks for your help, folks. Wideawake is working now, even though Tower is not. I'll try the other Base Maker to learn the basics (no pun intended) as you suggested.

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Thanks for your help, folks. Wideawake is working now, even though Tower is not. I'll try the other Base Maker to learn the basics (no pun intended) as you suggested.

You mean bacics.

 

[paddy2]

I can whole heartedly recommend Orbiter Base Maker (OBM). With the newer versions it even shows the inside of a mesh as you place it, which will give you an idea of if the mesh is being read at all.

I also have had one or two issues but the help I have had from folks on this forum has being quick in coming and really useful. Have faith they/we will get you up and running.

I do not use .3ds files as I use Wings3d for my meshes but any thing I can help with I will have a go. Last time I imported a model and had problems with it showing it turned out to be the materials being applied before the texture was being painted on, which spoiled the view. With help I was up and running.

Let us know how you get on with OBM as I am sure the help will just keep coming if you need it.

 

[Spacecowboy48]

Base Maker

One other question. How do you get Csanders base maker to work? I downloaded it and installed it, but the installer puts nothing in the folder. In other words, there is nothing to load.

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Did you put it in the right location? The .exe needs to be in the Orbiter main install folder...

 

[paddy2]

but the installer puts nothing in the folder

OBM creates its own set of folders and then when first run it is normal to get it to pick up a base from orbiter if you wish to edit that or to start by giving it the lat/long of a new base you wish to build.

Is the issue you don't even have a shortcut on your desktop or that OBM does not have a list of bases in its opening screen?

 

[Spacecowboy48]

Base Maker

I put the .exe in the orbiter install folder and execute it, nothing happens. No OBM screen, no shortcut on my desktop, zilch.

 

[paddy2]

The latest OBM is a MSI file and should unpack its self and create its own folder structure. You can choose where the install goes but I dont think you can just move the .exe as it needs a bunch of other files.

 

[Athena]

Extract the .exe file into the main directory, then launch it, You will see a "Configuration" button at the top right, open it, and do something like this:

Look for your Orbiter directory, set it there and press OK

 

[Spacecowboy48]

Base Maker

Did as directed. It's working now. THANKS!! You folks are awesome!

 

[paddy2]

Think Athena was more use but glad to help

 

[Spacecowboy48]

Objects, Meshes, Tiles

I've got another question, if it's OK. Should an airport's apron be added as a flat object, or a mesh, or a tile? I'm asking this because Edwards AFB's apron is HUGE. It's over a mile long, having measured it with GoogleEarth.

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Uhm, I'd do it with a mesh, so you can properly texture it. (Use PAINT.net to create textures as a .dds file) You also have much more control over the shape of the object by doing this.

 

[Spacecowboy48]

Objects, Meshes and Tiles

OK. So I'll create a large, flat mesh (a large concrete or asphalt slab) and then texture it with a photo converted with paint. It would look very real if I could do that. What program would you recommend to create the mesh? Anim8or or something else? I have Anim8or and also Sketchup.

 

[paddy2]

Wings£D works for me and there is a converter available which exports to .MSH just fine

 

[Spacecowboy48]

Wings3d

Thanks, Paddy. I'll download it and get to work.

 

[paddy2]

I did find Wings3D a bit strange to get started with. Most of the menu is accessed via the right mouse and it changes as you move through functions you need to perform. Once you get your head around it, it works well as you are only presented with choices which apply to whats going on. One or two Utube vid's and I was good to go .... well maybe a bit more.
Still it seemed a lot less scary than the opening screen in blender!