Vehicle Previewer loader

[ZooNamedGames]

I would like a web page (that iPhones are able to view) program that lets you plug in a craft files text and then convert it into a moveable 3D image of the craft. Maybe provide DV data and other stats that KER would provide.

It would be nice to go through my old (and new) craft files and see them without having to boot up and start KSP. Go to the KSC. Into the VAB/SPH. Then load it. It'll be faster and easier.

Possible?

[sumghai]

Possible, but highly impractical.

Such a tool will require the following inputs:

- The .craft file definition

- Access to all models/textures in GameData, including every part from every third-party add-on

Because KSP parts are defined using the proprietary .MU format, you essentially need KSP and/or at least Unity to decode the .MU files and convert it into a 3D-examinable model, stick it inside a Unity web player container and then display that in a mobile-friendly webpage - all in real- or close-to-realtime.

You then need to host that webpage on a web server to allow public access, and content with server upkeep to support bandwidth from users of the service. As someone who once ran their own website, I know for a fact that setting up a website to support this mobile app would set you back $1.99/month for hosting and $14.95/year for domain name registration/parking (free web hosts do not allow you to host the server-side scripts needed to run this system).

In comparison, starting up the game takes between 5~10 minutes of load time, at no additional cost / upkeep.

[ZooNamedGames]

But possible. I'll work on other aspects as long as someone provides the raw materials for someone else to host.

It's an idea. That's all.

[hab136]

Take a look at Kronal Vessel Viewer for something to build on top of. Instead of trying to parse the .craft file and models yourself, just make a mod inside the game that exports to Blender or something. In fact, see http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/43513-Blender-mu-import-export-addon

Then once everything's exported, you can design a viewing interface.

[ZooNamedGames]

Take a look at Kronal Vessel Viewer for something to build on top of. Instead of trying to parse the .craft file and models yourself, just make a mod inside the game that exports to Blender or something. In fact, see http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/43513-Blender-mu-import-export-addon

Then once everything's exported, you can design a viewing interface.

That's the catch I'm newbish at this.

If I could do it myself I'd have tried by now and saved us all a lot of time. But I don't know how, hence why I'm asking.

[nohelmet]

Another way is to preprocess the ships on the user's computer and send the 3D data to a web server. But of course then the users have to remember to do that.

edit: oops, hab136 already said that.

[sumghai]

With pre-processing, you basically need to run the game itself regularly to update the rendered 3D models, which defeats the OP's aim of instantaneous updating of the preview model.