Author Topic: Cargo Raptor  (Read 1219 times)

Jon

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Cargo Raptor
« on: June 13, 2010, 03:48:38 PM »
Cargo Raptor
The cargo Raptor is a small cargo ship inspired by the Raptor as seen on the newer TV series Battlestar Galactica.
It is equipped with both FTL and Warp drive.
This has been compiled against the 2010  (100606) release version of Orbiter. Although I did test it in the 2006 version and it did seem to work but you are on your own if you decide to use it in the 2006 version.

Dan's UMMU and UCGO are required installs in order to have that functionality although it should work without them. It should go without saying that you will have no cargo or EVA without Dan's add-on.
The cargo capacity is 4 of the standard 1.5x1.5x1.5 meter cargo containers used by Dan's UCGO add-on.
In addition to the UCGO compatibility it has minimal UMMU support in that it can carry 4 UMMU astronauts.
Dan's site for download of UCGO: http://orbiter.dansteph.com

Installation:
You do this at your own risk. I am a computer support professional and there is nothing that I can see that would harm or disrupt your computer. That said; it is expected that you have a certain level of ability in the install and removal of software and especially in Orbiter add-ons. Don't go blaming me or my add-on if you frack up your system. If you are unsure about installation then JUST DON"T INSTALL IT. It is that simple.

Installation pretty simple really. I keep the folder structure intact so all you have to do is decompress into your Orbiter folder and over write files when asked.
Removal is a little trickier because I use  common folders for docs, textures and scenarios. If this is the only add on of mine you have then remove the following folders and files.
Folders:
In the Doc folder remove the Rag Tag Fleet  folder.
In the Scenarios folder remove the Rag Tag Fleet  folder.
In the Textures2 folder remove the JTM folder.

Files:
In Meshes remove the QJRCargo.msh  
In Modules remove the QJRCargo.DLL
IN Config\Vessels remove the QJRCargo.cfg

If you have other add-ons of mine and only want to remove this one then remove the files above. DO NOT remove any folders but do remove  the relevant QJRCargo files from the Rag Tag Fleet Scenario folder and Rag Tag Fleet Docs folder. Do not remove anything from the Textures2/JTM folder.

Using the add-on.
I've included two basic scenario files. One has the Raptor on the ground and the other docked to the ISS. Both have cargo and UMMU crew if you have those add-ons installed.  I'm still working on which suits and sex goes with which UMMU people meshes so the current assignments are functional but off as far as the sex assigned to the names I used.

The Cargo doors must be open to add or remove cargo.
The cockpit door must be open to enter or exit UMMU astronauts.

Standard key commands.

F8 will turn the cockpit graphics on and off. When off and in Warp you will have a star burst type display similar to the original Trek one.
K will open and shut the cargo doors.
G will open and shut the cockpit door. (I used G because this version of the Raptor doesn't have landing gear.)
Ctrl B will extend and retract the air brake.
5 will switch between cockpit and docking hatch view.
J will launch the ship if you are attached to another RFT ship like the Battlestar or Flattop.
Ctrl J will attach the ship to the Flattop if you are close enough to attach to the deck.
Ctrl F8 will disable or enable Warp/FTL keys and HUD display if it interferes with other add-on functions.

All standard  Orbiter keys are supported.
UMMU keys are supported.
UCGO keys are supported.


***WARNING***
Nothing stops you from doing an EVA while traveling in Warp drive. The problem is that you will leave behind your crew member because he or she is no longer within the ship and thus in normal space. Of course a big challenge is to eject someone at warp and then turn around to rescue them. I've never been able to rescue them. Can You?

Warp and FTL drive.

On the left side of the main screen is the Warp/FTL HUD information. The display is default on and in FTL mode. It is after all a BSG ship and should be using FTL drive rather than Warp drive. (I prefer Warp myself and that is why I include it on BSG ships.)
The display is as follows.
For FTL drive
Line 1: FTL STATUS
Line 2: OFF-LINE, ON-LINE, SPOOLING DWN: or SPOOLING UP:
Line 3: FTL FACTOR:    ( 1 through 10 and adjusted via the 3 and 4 keys)
Line 4: JD:   (Jump distance and adjusted via the Ctrl 1&2 or Shift 1&2 keys)
Line 5: TD:  (Total distance which is the Jump distance with the FTL FACTOR calculated in)
Line 6: Current status message which will display JUMPING when you do the FTL jump.

For Warp drive
Line 1: WARP STATUS
Line 2: OFF-LINE, ON-LINE, OFF-LINE IN: or ON-LINE IN:
Line 3: WARP FACTOR:    ( 1 through 10 and adjusted via the 3 and 4 keys)
Line 4: WARP DRIVE: ENGAGED or DISENGAGED

FTL Navigation

The FTL drive will jump you from one place to another.

"Flying though hyper space isn't like dusting crops"

Well in this case it kind of is. My FTL drive is much more of a gross jump that will get you into the general area of your objective rather than precisely to your objective. The direction of the jump is where you are pointed so target alignment is subject to your skills. Why so sloppy? Because it would be far less of a challenge or fun if you could make precise jumps.

I wanted to allow really small jumps to moons and other close bodies so the max jump distance is set to one tenth of an AU or 14959787069.1 meters. The total distance of the jump is determined by two factors, the "Jump Factor" and  "Jump Distance" and the way they interact
is very simple. The "Jump Factor" range is from 0 to 10, the "Jump distance" or JD:  range is from 0 to MAX jump distance in increments of 1000000  and 5000000 meters depending on which keys are used.

The Total distanced jumped is the JD * the JF which if both are maxed gives you a jump of 1 AU.
 
Simple right?

Keyboard commands for FLT jumping:
Set your jump distance. (Ctrl 1&2 or Shift 1&2 and 3&4 keys)
Spool up the FTL drive. (Ctrl F11)
Point your ship in the direction you wish to jump.
Jump using Ctrl F12

FTL Key recap
Ctrl 3     Toggle between Warp and FTL drive.
Ctrl F11   Spool drive up and down.
3            Decrease FTL FACTOR.
4            Increase FTL FACTOR.
Ctrl 1      Decrease Jump Distance (JD:) in increments of 1000000 meters.
Ctrl 2      Increase  Jump Distance (JD:) in increments of 1000000 meters.
Shift 1    Decrease Jump Distance (JD:) in increments of 5000000 meters.
Shift 2    Increase  Jump Distance (JD:) in increments of 5000000 meters.
Ctrl F12   Jump.

You can leave the FTL drive spooled up but it does use fuel so keeping it always spooled is not a good idea Ctrl F11 toggles between spooling up and down.

Warp Navigation  
Warp drive; distance traveled and time taken.
At Warp 1 you travel 100000 meters every Orbiter time cycle. This doesn't sound like a lot but it does get you from the Earth to the Moon in about 1 minute. For the other Warp values I multiply by a number I just picked as reasonable to get you around the solar system. These Warp speeds are nothing like the ones on the TV show because on the show they traveled between solar systems and for us I have to keep us confined to ours. If at some point in the future Orbiter supports travel between multiple star systems I will adjust my Warp drive accordingly.

Warp Table
Warp          Distance traveled in meters
   1             100000
   2             100000 * 3
   3             100000 * 6
   4             100000 * 10
   5             100000 * 15
   6             100000 * 21
   7             100000 * 28
   8             100000 * 36
   9             100000 * 45
 10             100000 * 55

Warp navigation is quite simple and only approximate. I wanted to offer at least some challenge so basically you point and engage the drive. If you are in Earth orbit and want to go to Mars all you do is spool up the drive by pressing Ctrl F11, set the Warp value using the 3 & 4 keys, point yourself at Mars and press Ctrl F12. You will then eventually get into the general Mars area where you will press Ctrl F12 again to get out of Warp Getting into a stable orbit is your problem from that point on. All of your velocities at the point of Warp entry are intact so you may have a challenge to get into Orbit. You can leave the Warp drive ON-LINE  but it does use fuel so keeping it always ON-LINE is not a good idea Ctrl F11 toggles between ON-LINE and OFF-LINE.

Warp Key recap
Ctrl 3      Toggle between Warp and FTL drive.
Ctrl F11   Put ON-LINE or OFF-LINE.
3            Decrease Warp value.
4            Increases Warp value.
Ctrl F12   Engage or Disengage the Warp drive.

Credits etc.....
I wish to thank the following for their programs and inspiration.
Dr. Schweiger for letting us play with his toy.
All the people that are continuing his work and that have worked on this latest version.
All the people involved with Battlestar Galactica for their outstanding re-visioning of the old TV show.
Dennis Krenz for his Anim8or to mesh script.
R. Steven Glanville  for Anim8or.
The members of the Rag Tag Fleet that tested this prior to release.

Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction intended to help keep Battlestar Galactica alive into the future. No infringement on copyrights, ideas or products is intentional on my part. All models other than the ones in Orbiter and Dan's add-ons were created by me based on information and pictures found on the Internet or derived from watching the TV shows. All textures were created by me from scratch or derived from freely available images on the internet. If you are a copyright holder and feel that I have infringed on your rights then feel free to contact me so that we can rectify any issues.  

Everything in this add-on is a copyright by Jon Marcure 2010 and cannot ever be sold for any reason. Models and textures can be used with my permission although I'm pretty easy on that and only would like credit for them if you do use them.

You can contact me via jtmarcure (- at - ) gmail.com

Have fun with this add-on and remember to keep the blue side up. Wait.... There is no blue side in space. Heck, there isn't even up in space......

Jon Marcure.
« Last Edit: June 16, 2010, 01:52:47 PM by Jon »


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tgep

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Re: Cargo Raptor
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2010, 03:38:26 PM »
Seems pretty solid to me. Then again I been out in the heat all day and am now cooling off with a few stout Samual Adams beers so you could say Ctrl F10 generaters random chunks of deep fried bowling pins and I'd probably agree with ya.  :P
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Izack

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Re: Cargo Raptor
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2010, 04:37:36 PM »
The FTL controls interfere with UMMU crew selection (1 and 2)
Just thought I'd let ya know.
I had managed to overlook the Cargo Raptor before. Now that I've seen it, it's my favourite RTF ship. Great work!

Jon

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Re: Cargo Raptor
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2010, 04:26:49 AM »
The FTL controls interfere with UMMU crew selection (1 and 2)
Just thought I'd let ya know.
I had managed to overlook the Cargo Raptor before. Now that I've seen it, it's my favourite RTF ship. Great work!

Although I accounted for that in the read-me and functionality I have decided based on your post to remove the 1&2 keys from the FTL functions.


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Jon

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Re: Cargo Raptor
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2010, 05:42:01 AM »
I'm going to be releasing this to OrbitHangar most likely today.
Not very many people that will download it will visit the fleet so just for you folks here I'll tell you a secret.

The Warp mode has a super secret debug feature. If you press Shift 3 you will cycle through 1, 10 and the default Warp distance traveled.
It's kind of neat to be warping between ships or stations at 1 meter distance. I'm not sure how useful it is but try it out just for fun.

Remember this feature is only in the DLL that will be released to OrbitHangar.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2010, 06:57:10 PM by Jon »


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Jon

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Re: Cargo Raptor
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2010, 06:25:45 AM »
It's waiting on approval at OrbiterHangar so for those that come here..........

Release version is here

 ;D ;D
« Last Edit: June 15, 2010, 06:56:43 PM by Jon »


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tgep

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Re: Cargo Raptor
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2010, 04:05:00 PM »
Sweet !   You installed the Picard Manuver into the warp drive !  ;D ;D ;D
" Hand grenades are like RAM. You can never have enough. "

Izack

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Re: Cargo Raptor
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2010, 09:28:05 PM »
The FTL controls interfere with UMMU crew selection (1 and 2)
Just thought I'd let ya know.
I had managed to overlook the Cargo Raptor before. Now that I've seen it, it's my favourite RTF ship. Great work!

Although I accounted for that in the read-me and functionality I have decided based on your post to remove the 1&2 keys from the FTL functions.

And I'm usually such a good little manual reader... :-[