Project Sun-tracking solar array module

[T.Neo]

Just a simple, solar array that can be used for station building/etc.

Blue- solar arrays.
Magenta- solar array roll-up canisters.
Light blue- Solar array support structure.
Pink- Rotational joints.
Yellow- additional equipment.
Green- truss structure.
Red- unpressurised CBM port.

Anyone interested in coding such an addon can PM me for more details. :tiphat:

 

[tblaxland]

You would benefit from some beta gimbals (between the light blue and magenta parts).

 

[Wishbone]

MBR ITS addon does exactly what you're planning now, without CBM, of course.

 

[T.Neo]

You would benefit from some beta gimbals (between the light blue and magenta parts).

Yes... those are very important, I just have not modelled them yet.

MBR ITS addon does exactly what you're planning now, without CBM, of course.

Yes, but this is supposed to be easier on low-end machines... the MBR ITS panels fold out in an accordion-like manner, which is truthful to the arrays on the ISS, but takes up a lot of polys that you don't really need once the panels are deployed.

 

[C3PO]

IDK if it's even possible, but can't you use one (more detailed) mesh for the deployment phase, and replace it with a simpler mesh once it's fully deployed?

 

[garyw]

IDK if it's even possible, but can't you use one (more detailed) mesh for the deployment phase, and replace it with a simpler mesh once it's fully deployed?

I don't see why not, you'd have some sort of callback event that gets trigged when the animation is complete and you'd reference a different mesh - a bit like the process used when staging a rocket - you delete the original mesh and replace it.

 

[BrianJ]

I don't see why not, you'd have some sort of callback event that gets trigged when the animation is complete and you'd reference a different mesh - a bit like the process used when staging a rocket - you delete the original mesh and replace it.

Yes, that really would be the best solution. The frame rate hit from the old MBR_ITS modules is barely tolerable on my old machine. But it is a bit of a nightmare to do (for the MBR_ITS), and I haven't seen Mustard around for ages.....so don't know if it ever will get done. So some panels that are easier on the frame rate is a good idea, I reckon.

Cheers,
Brian