Is it possible to have alternate models like altsurface

[rian4me]

IS it possible to have alternate 3D models of the same entity at the same point of time like altsurface for alternate surfaces.

Like we have
Earth
Magnetic Earth
Earth Structure

Each of these come with a diff model of the earth and creates a new Earth in celestia

Is it possible to render alternate models of the same item through some method,
just like we choose altSurface to show alternate surface map.

Would it be possible to select an alternate texture with right click context menu and switch between
Say the Magnetic Earth model, the Earths crust model and normal earth?

Thanks in advance

[selden]

In Celestia v1.6.0 (and later) the SSC option
Visible true
(or Visible false)
can be used and manipulated by a CelX script using the function
object:setvisible(true)
(or object:setvisible(false)

You have to define separate objects for each of the different models, though.

[Fenerit]

IS it possible to have alternate 3D models of the same entity at the same point of time like altsurface for alternate surfaces.

Like we have
Earth
Magnetic Earth
Earth Structure

Each of these come with a diff model of the earth and creates a new Earth in celestia

Is it possible to render alternate models of the same item through some method,
just like we choose altSurface to show alternate surface map.

Would it be possible to select an alternate texture with right click context menu and switch between
Say the Magnetic Earth model, the Earths crust model and normal earth?

Thanks in advance

Whether your magnetic fields comes from here:
http://www.shatters.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=15543 then
here;
http://www.shatters.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13555&start=30
you can find one script that hide/shows earth structure and magnetic fied rispectively by using keyboard keys ctrl+i and ctrl+1. It would be easy to configure for your needs; the names of object_pi and of object_mf must be as specified in the relevant .SSC files.

[rian4me]

Is it possible to do it without some script?..by manipulating something in altsurface maybe..?
I just wish its possible with some right click context menu option..Can that be done?

[Fenerit]

Is it possible to do it without some script?..by manipulating something in altsurface maybe..?
I just wish its possible with some right click context menu option..Can that be done?

Nope. Altsurface is texture relate only, doesn't manage models. The context menu's option act on .SSC files; both altsurface and models but are parsed statically. The .celx (lua) script's language instead perform dinamical operations upon these SSC (the way you wish, potentially). To do what you asking for, it might be that within the .SSC there be the directive for define the .celx's functions, thing that there isn't because SSC are read altogether at Celestia's boot.
If you wonder about a sistem for "layerize" the views, either let do as explained in the posts above (keybord command) or install the LUATOOLS http://www.shatters.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=13162&start=45 a Celestia's toolkit which manage add-ons in the way you are searching: by clicking in it's checkboxes they execute the script you set forth for having the desired behaviour. (read the entire thread for more informations)

[Fenerit]

One precisation (due to my bad english). The contex menu altsurface execution is hardcoded because developer wish so, but for add-on, nobody knows which operations it underwent; thus is left to the user the choice by the script's mechanism.

[fsgregs]

It is possible to provide alternate models that you can turn on or turn off while Celestia is running, without the use of a script. There is a large plugin for Celestia called "Lua Edu Tools". You can find out all about it in the Celestia in Education section of this forum.

Lua Edu tools has a feature that allows you to load a variety of addons into its addons folder. You can load texture addons or model addons or label and location addons, etc. Once loaded and set up, then when Celestia opens and boots up, it will boot up with a "toolkit" of text visible along the right side of the screen. Part of that toolkit is a button that you can click, which opens the addons menu. Each addon that you placed in the Lua Edu Tools addons folder will be listed. Next to it will be a small box. Check the box, and your addon model will appear and display. Uncheck the box and it will disappear. It is as good as right-clicking and choosing an alternative surface, if you don't mind a little text on the screen.

If this interests you, let me know and I'll try to help you navigate what to do in Lua Edu Tools to get your addon set up.

Regards

Frank