--MANAGEMENT UPDATE--
WOW, great work Thorton!
Me & The Aviator have had a few new ideas:
We really want to work very closely with the new SSU development team, in a kind of "parallel project". We want to make sure that both of these addons work in harmony with each other, not have overlapping files, etc. The new SSU will have a mid-deck, we would like to be able to enter the interior of the Shuttle from the interior of our ISS. Maybe include a shuttle airlock hatch open/close animation. We are not offering to do the work, just collaborate with them to make sure everything works together.
Maybe we could even set up a site for SSU, with same themes as ours, but different colours etc. Really make bot projects look like they are working together
And possibly release on same date, as part of an Orbiter "super realism pack"?
I would be a shame to miss the opportunity to have the two best addons for Orbiter not work together.
We also want to include the following dll's in the project:
ISS power system: power is drained from batteries by systems and is replenished by solar arrays
Sun tracking system for solar arrays: Arrays track sun and actually generate power and sent to ISS power system.
Station power transfer system. When new SSU docks to station, power from station is transferred to Shuttle. Also, when new module docks, power is transferred to module so lights will work, etc.
UMMU (or similar system) for station and shuttle. When Soyuz, Progress & Shuttle docks, will be able to transfer crew and do EVA, etc.
Pressure. If hatch is opened to space, the ISS will start do de-pressurise and module will have to be sealed off.
Camcontrol, move around ISS interior with keyboard, you will not be able to move through walls, walls will be solid etc. what hatches opened, move outside etc.
We may also need to design some new CBM hatches to put in place of Thorton's ones that can open/close and that have a real glass porthole window so you can actually see inside/outside.
I have also found a great site for info on ISS docking times:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/resupply/index.html
I have tasked our research department with finding as many photos of ISS interiors as possible. I will post all images I know of later today. The ISS interior in reality is very cluttered. I really wan to re-create this effect. The interiors should not look too "clinical", the lights should be low, and there should be dark corners, etc. I think it would be better if Unussapiens handes walls, floors etc. from real photos, and Donamy handles other things such as laptops, screens, and just general objects. I would like to give the interiors real texture, not just a flat. We need things sticking out etc.
For great shots of ISS interiors, see this thread. I would like to include the window shutters also:
http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=4126
We also need a new Soyuz, Progress and ATV, to include VC & hatch open/close. We may be able to use the existing meshes, and just modify .cfg files.
I really think we need a lot more developers, particularly people of level 4 & 5 who can work in animations/code dept.
I think we should design ISS to current level at time of release, then release future modules as updates when time arrives.
I know that there is a lot to do on this project, next week I will release the full list , with what departments should do what and in what order.
I also want someone to contact me about setting up a proper, high-graphics site to promote the project.
For now, keep up good work!
-Pete