Importing my mesh files.

[ATubbiolo]

Hi Everyone:

I'm sure I'm missing something basic. I'm using velcro rockets to simulate my rocket project. I put my .cfg file in Orbiter2010\Config\Vessels\Velcro. I assume that file is okay because when I Launch Orbiter ]-> Ctrl-f4] -> Custom] -> Scenario Editor]-> New. I'm able to search out my .cfg file, instant a new spacecraft, but when the scenario editor gets to the screen where you set the free flight and ground information, the program locks up.

I checked to make sure it was not a .cfg error by using an existing .msh file. It then worked fine. So I'm pretty confident the .msh file is the problem child and not the .cfg.

I'm trying two different approaches here. I'd really like to use my solidworks models as the artwork for my vehicle. I've tried saving my assemblies as a .stl (Stereo lithography format.) and then used gmesh and blender to convert the .stl file into a .msh file. No dice, same crash as I mentioned above.

I also tried FreeCad. I was a bit surprised to find out that FreeCad can't save to .msh so I saved to various formats with the same effect. Again in all my file types I had to convert to .msh with gmesh or blender. Again, all attempts failed in the same way as before.

What cad packages do you folks use to get a successful .msh file used for your sims? If you don't use a file direct out of a cad file, can you let me know your conversion path from cad to .msh file that works?

Thanks
Andrew

 

[paddy2]

I use wings3D to do my models and have imported both .3ds and .obj files into it. From there I have exported to .msh with great success. Could there be an issue with the texture and .dds file not being found.

 

[ATubbiolo]

I used gmsh to write out the mesh file into a png, then used Easy2convert_PNG_2_DDS. I placed the dds file in Orbiter2012/Textures with the same results that I got before. I can see Orbiter importing various dds files, but I can't be sure it's importing my dds file. So I have to explore this yet to make sure. So I'm still on it. I'll post the solution once I see it. I don't suppose anyone has a process that they know works for bringing in your own vehicle from a major cad package like SolidWorks.

 

[paddy2]

When I first started making my on add ons I also had an issue with .dds files being converted. I will admit it could just of been me doing it wrong but the best solution I found was to save my texture as a plain .bmp file, use the orbiter provided DxTex to convert to a .dds

I then run the .dds file into paint.net and save it as a .dds again. This results in a smaller file but works every time.


I am also wondering if I have got the wrong end of the stick here but is the output of your gmsh "mesh" file to same as an orbiter "mesh" file, just because the file ext is the same may not mean the internals. Also I dont quite understand when you say

used gmsh to write out the mesh file into a png

Mesh is structure and .dds is painting

 

[ATubbiolo]

Hi All:

Okay, got it. Sorry to those who cringe because I did not read all the docs before I started trying. But even after having done that I found this solution.

SolidWorks: Export to STL (Stereo Lithography)
Alibre: Same thing, export to STL.

When you export to STL from your cad package be sure to set your units to meters. I had my units set to inches and wound up with a 0.270 km rocket. Unless you want to turn your rocket into the Korellian class, but sure to set your units to meters.

MeshLab: Import STL file and export to 3ds (3D Studio).
I noticed that Orbiter would balk at mesh files that were too large. As in 5MB or more. So you may need to use MeshLab to re-scale your mesh. At this point, you should see a nice rendering of your model that you can rotate around and look at from diff angles. I used Filters -> Remeshing,Simplification and Reconstruction -> Quadric Edge Collabse Decimation. I set the number of nodes at 13,000. Any more seemed to make Orbiter burp and not render a picture.

Save your new mesh as a .3ds file.

Msh_MakerV21:

copy your .3ds file into the same directory as msh_maker. Rename it to input.3ds. Now copy input.3ds to shadow.3ds. Run msh_maker once. Look in the debug file that results and look for errors. Now run msh_maker again. Give it some time, you'll get a .msh file called output.msh. Copy that into the Orbiter mesh directory where your model is configured for in your .cfg file. You should be able to use the object now.

As a note. I had to create a special model in SolidWorks and Alibre that lacked any internal detail. Internal detail just took up meshes that could not be seen.

Good Luck
Andrew