[0.20.2] Thermostabilizers and Solar Heating (0.1 Alpha)

[OrbitusII]

So a quick bump/update:

0.2 should be out sometime this week or next, all I have to do is figure out a minor issue in the code and then I can release it.

Things that it will come with:

-powered, all-ship coolant systems (no custom resources, just code )

-a universal animation system (for animating stuff!)

-file structure updated for 0.20

All-ship powered coolant systems are pretty self-explanatory, except they regulate heat more than just cool stuff off.

One thing I do need to get finished for this is a GUI window for setting the stable temperature, so you can have each vessel running at 0 degrees C or 150 degrees C (I'll most likely impose limitations on this, as you shouldn't be able to cool your ship down to 0 K or overheat your ship and blow it up).

The universal animation system, PTanimateUniversal, is more complicated.

Basically what it does is compiles all stock animation modules into one and adds some more animation types. The only thing I need to do is make sure I have all of the variables working and implement the context menu thing for the generic animation, then it's done. Not a massive improvement on the stock animators but it should be helpful.

As for solar heating, which will give this a purpose, there have been some issues with the heat equation, so Mek and I are doing research and math to figure out what equation will work best. In testing, I didn't take the transformations of the equation into account, so going below 0.75 AU in your orbit would result in a NaN error. This oversight has been taken care of and it's looking a lot better, plus we're getting some more accurate data that makes the model work better.

Edited May 28, 2013 by OrbitusII

[Mekan1k]

I will (Hopefully) be testing this new system soon, and I will have some pics of it working in space, and I will make a sun-base with these parts just because it is cool.

[OrbitusII]

So since the development is taking slightly longer than expected (crazy, right? ) I'm going to start putting the in-development versions on the development thread for public in-dev testing. This should hopefully minimize the testing required by me, but will also allow for more observable progress and will keep the mod more public.

Here's How That Will Work:

1. I develop a new part of the code and do a quick test on my own

2. People interested in an incomplete version and testing that version can download it from the development thread

3. The interested people can test and use it as they please (no distribution!), providing feedback on the development thread so I can improve the code before a full release

4. Once I get all I need for a release complete, I will remove the download link from the development thread and post the complete plugin on this thread

5. The process will repeat as I develop new features for anything in the plugin (including, but not limited to, Frameshift functionality, magnetospheres and harmful radiation)

I can get the current version ready to download shortly. The parts included by default are a thermometer modified to use the solar heating PartModule and a random part that will serve as a coolant system, plus the parts already included in the heat sinks download.

*The zip file you download will include a readme to tell you how to set up other parts to use the solar heating and coolant system modules, plus a reminder to post feedback on the development thread, linked below

Development Thread Link

Just a little birthday-induced generousness, I guess...

Edited June 4, 2013 by OrbitusII

[Absolute Human]

Hey, what about making an 'anti solar panel' thing,

that will turn perpendicular (with edge) to sunlight, and its efficiency will by counted inversely to the sun exposure?

it will add more intresting aspects of constructing a spacecraft, yet not necessary to keep the same orientaton of it forever,

look cool and quite like the real ones:

I personally will be satisfied with retextured original solar panels, that work that way:)

(yes, I've just copied the picture)

Edited July 3, 2013 by Absolute Human

[MGUARN]

Hey, what about making an 'anti solar panel' thing,

that will turn perpendicular (with edge) to sunlight, and its efficiency will by counted inversely to the sun exposure?

it will add more intresting aspects of constructing a spacecraft, yet not necessary to keep the same orientaton of it forever,

look cool and quite like the real ones:

I personally will be satisfied with retextured original solar panels, that work that way:)

(yes, I've just copied the picture)

isn't there a mod were it added space station parts like radiators ,and modules.I belive it is created by a person named plef ,and it might be abandon ware.

Edit:here it is http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/6280-0-17-ExPI-Space-Stations-0-4-Interplanetary-Probes-0-1-2

Edited July 3, 2013 by MGUARN

[Absolute Human]

Oh, yes, it is nice!

But I'm just saying, that it will be great to make this thing rotate and track the sunlight, like a solar panel but the opposite way!

may not very realistic, but makes more sense than a computer cooling radiator...

[1096bimu]

how does an air heat exchanger work in vacuum? It just boggles the mind, if you want to make it more realistic, why make it less realistic in the process?

[OrbitusII]

The models are just placeholders for now, so expect improvements by the time this is finished. Let Mekan1k know what you'd like to see in the models, I'm sure he'd be able to pull it off.

I still need to get in touch with HarvesteR or one of the programmers so that I can get the raycasting to work, but the current build is close to finished code-wise. However, until I can get some insight as to how to perform the raycasting check I'll be working on the next version of the Frameshift (another mod by Puffin Technologies).

Here's the Development Thread link if you want to check out the InDev plugins for both this and the Frameshift stuff: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/25420

I'm also taking a little break to complete my new computer (which will help me test things better than a laptop) but I'll begin coding again within two weeks.

[Sporkmonger]

I'd be happy contributing in my free time if you're interested in another coder.