Project: Orbiter

[CGW]

Ok, chuck and I have been running missions using the "Orbiter" free spaceflight simulator. Last night we did a landing on Venus and ran a simulaton from 2010, with the Alexi Lenov and the Discovery.

We are in the process of talking to the top Orbiter programmers and designers about doing some Traveller designs. I think the Scout Courier is an obvious choice, as is the free trader. But we also think that maybe doing a Fat Trader or a Gazelle will be nice too. Maybe some small craft too.

Since in Orbiter you are limited to the Solar system, a secondary goal would to get other Traveller (IE nameable/maybe even customizeable) type worlds into the mix. The best thing about this is that it's freeware, and could totally be a good way for players and GMs to represent non-jump space flight.

The only real disadvantage is the lack of combat in the simulations. I think doing missile trajectories and beam laser strikes would make it really Traveller.

If it comes down to copyright stuff, I hope he powers that be consider that this program is entirely done in freeware. Someone took the time to program in the Enterprise A and E, and no one from Paramount has a problem with it. If anything it would be a great promotional device.

If anyone wants to help, please contact us at cambridgegameworks@gmail.com and pt your two credits in.

Happy Holidays!
Dave from CGW

 

[Andrew Boulton]

A couple of years ago Scarecrow built a Scout for Celestia, which hopefully should port across okay.

http://www.traveller3d.com/suleiman.zip

 

[Ishmael]

I have a couple of .blends of untextured ships I can give if you're interested

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Another good approach would be to produce some support strutures such as an up-port or a beanstalk. The Spaceports in the Sim are a bit spartan.

The thing that could be really cool about this would be to do something like a Merc Crusier, as you could have the cutters dock and undock and be steerable ships. The incredible model of the Discovery from 2001 A Space Odyessey shows that. Not only can you undock and fly all of the Pods, but the claws also articulate!

I would like to help in any way that I can with this project.

 

[Gatsby]

A couple of years ago Scarecrow built a Scout for Celestia, which hopefully should port across okay.

http://www.traveller3d.com/suleiman.zip

NOT thread necromancy! Just finally came across and did what AB said:


The ship is by Wayne Peters in total. I just converted it to Orbiter.

So....who wants to fly a Scout Ship from moon to orbit and then Jump???

It didn't take long and I can learn to correct other functions. This game 'Orbiter' has many functions - EVA, Cargo, new planets, moving parts on ships, etc. Just needs more talent!

 

[Gatsby]

More.....

One fellow made a SUPERB ISS (over at Orbiter Hangar Mods) and I just had to fly the Scout next to it.

 

[Gatsby]

Nothing? This is a dead horse?

Here's a view adjusted to look out the cockpit of Scarecrow's scout while manuevering for docking at ISS.....

C'mon!

 

[Andrew Boulton]

Nice!

 

[jdegraff]

Very cool. Just don't have the time to either play with it or make content for it right now :\

 

[fredofmars]

Nice to see both Human and Vargr seating.

I think I would put a different seat back on the Vargr's, but I think there's a different thread already existing for that discussion.

 

[hdan]

This is insanely cool - please tell me where to get the files, and for which version of Orbiter they're written! It will give me something other than a delta glider and the half-finished Project Gemini stuff to play with.

(Still hoping to advance Project Gemini to more than half finished someday, now that I can get the sourcecode to compile for me.)

 

[Gatsby]

I plan to work out a rudimentary flight config for it with thruster graphics set correctly...must double check scale as well.

Other Orbiter elements like actual virtual cockpit, dropping landing gear, rotating turret, possible launch probes, cargo and crew capacties, refueilng, docking ports, EVA, Jump Drive MFD, and Air/Raft all require some time and learning on my part (I am currently devoted to Cub Scout Popcorn sales...)....but they CAN be done.

All with the required belssing of Scarecrow, of course!

 

[Gatsby]

More Importantly.........

If anyone has other 3ds meshes they are willing to put in, I can get them into Orbiter in a rudimentary fashion.....

I NEVER take credit for another's mesh (Had that happen to me once or twice).

 

[hdan]

Any more news on this? I'm itching to fly a Traveller ship in Orbiter! The DynaSoar and DeltaGliders, while awesome in their own ways, just aren't the same.

 

[esampson]

Since I can't seem to find a copy anywhere of the files I finally decided to start working on my own version of this. I have the basic model in with landing gear and working lifters to allow for vertical takeoff. I initially thought I could make the ship work just through a combination of the primary engines, the lifters, and the RCS but after some experimentation I've found that it isn't really practical so I'll need to add back the retro rockets as well as the hover engines to allow for more controlled descent. I haven't even really started work on the interior controls or the virtual cockpit. I would also like to try and build a better model for atmospheric heating similar to the XR vessels.

You can see a quick clip of my progress here.

 

[hdan]

Let us know when you get that Type-S into working condition. I'm sure there must be at least a few Orbiter junkies out there besides me who would enjoy piloting that ship.

 

[Baroun Tardis]

Amazingly awesome

Are the files to play with this in Orbiter downloadable anywhere?

I would love to both fly it, and use it as an aid in generating illustrations for the T5 game I'm running.
It'd be sweet to be able to show the players such images so they can see what's going on.