Celestia Forums

Hello again... More Gristle for the Mill...

1) I've discovered that locations don't seem to be working correctly. In order to view the locations on the Moon or the Earth, for example, you have to select not cities, not maria, not terrae, not any of the selections except "Other Features." Even though the SSC file I'm using (i.e. - "moon_locs.ssc") has defined the Moon locations as being of different types, they only show up when I check off the "Other Features" option. Same with the features of the Earth, although I don't recall seeing a TYPE element anywhere in the "earth_phys.ssc" file. In short, I cannot see *any* location labels unless I select the "Other Features" option from the render locations menu. Without this option checked NONE of the locations will be displayed.

2) Also, I have the addon M4 installed... This is simply an STC file which displays the stars in a nice globular cluster. When I first view the display, it appears as it should. However, when I right-click and move my perspective around, the stars turn to a sickly green color.

Just thought I'd let you know. Selden? It's ME again...

Sincere in my appreciation for your troubles with me thus far, Bob

Howdy Bob,

Bob Hegwood wrote:I've discovered that locations don't seem to be working correctly.

See this topic:
http://ennui.shatters.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2969&highlight=location+predefined

Sorry, can't answer #2.

-Don G.

I fixed all the (non-Earth) location files a while back, so that the features were all properly coded - but I guess Chris hasn't got around to posting the revised files on the Locations webpage yet. I'll nag him when he gets back from NZ ...

Grant

Thanks again Don and Grant...

I simply thought that this was a bug in Celestia, but you're telling me it's still under construction?

No problem, I'll play with it a while.

Take care guys, Bob

Not "under construction" exactly. The feature was added to Celestia and then a bunch of users created Location FILES that the new function could use. It was the manner in which these files were created that produces the problem you wrote about -- using "Other" instead of "City", etc.

The post I pointed you to describes the current format of the Location file, which anyone can create / modify, along with other information.

-Don G.

Not true, Mr. G, Sir...

The earth_phys.ssc file has defined the locations as VARIOUS types. Or, are you saying that the WAY in which they are defined as types is incorrect?

See below for examples:



Notice that there are Montes and Maria defined, but I can see these labels *only* if I select the "Other Features" box on the locations menu.

If I select ONLY "Maria" or "Montes" from the menu, I see *NO* labels. Just thought I'd let someone know.

Thanks, Bob

Howdy Bob,

Bob Hegwood wrote:The earth_phys.ssc file has defined the locations as VARIOUS types. Or, are you saying that the WAY in which they are defined as types is incorrect?

I've not seen this file and it is not included with the standard distribution, so I don't know where you got it.

As to *how* the types are defined, please refer back to the topic I pointed out above. Look for the section headed by "According to Chris, the current pre-release (1.3.1 6 or 7) includes recognition of the following 2-letter values for the Type entry, listed in alphabetical code order:". This lists the currently recognized types.

-Don G.

Yep, and anything that isn't recognized as a valid code is automatically consigned to the "Other" bin, which is why you're encountering problems with the file you showed us. A simple find-and-replace to substitute the appropriate letter codes for "Montes" and "Maria" should fix the problem for you, but maybe you should also contact the person who made the file, to report the error.

Grant

Don and Grant...

I made a cardinal mistake... I assumed that the author knew what he was doing. The author is nameless, but the source (I thought) was impeccable.

See: http://exp.arc.nasa.gov/downloads/celestia/extras/

This is where I got the earth_phys.ssc locations file from.

Sheesh! If ya can't trust NASA, who CAN you trust?

As always, I am very appreciative of your explanation, Don. I have now bookmarked the references you listed, and I'll NOT be losing them.

Take care, Bob

Howdy Bob,

Sometimes it is difficult to hit a moving target, which is what Celestia is, because it is constantly undergoing improvement and change. Even though NASA has the most experience of anyone, in hitting large moving targets on the bullseye, it seems that Celestia has bested them <laughing>. Then again, it is simply a large organization made up of many human beings, just like the rest of us <smile>.

-Don G.

It's gotta make you wonder though...

What do you supose THEY'RE assessment of the perceived bug will be?

At any rate, thanks again. I'd like to create an SSC to explore some of the locations on Mars. This may take me a while, however. I ain't much on latitudes, longitudes, etc...

I'll give it a shot though. Would be fun to know exactly WHAT I'm looking at on the surface of another planet.

Take care, Bob

Howdy Bob,

Just e-mailed you a zip file of some Location files Chris created in July and August, which used to be posted on one of his FTP pages, but I can't get to it anymore. Included is one for Mars <smile>.

Enjoy!

-Don G.

Got it, Don,

Thanks very much for the files. I *have* some of them, but the same problem exists in these files in that the type categories don't work correctly. If I wish to view *only* the mountains on Mars, for example, I'm still going to have to figure out how to code them.

This is a good thing though. You've given me at least an accurate starting point for what I wish to do.

Let's see now, is that 2 or 3 drinks I owe you?

Take care, Bob

Mr. Goyette?

You sir - along with Seldon - are a GENIUS!

After following your advice concerning the two-character "Type" codes, my Celestia system will now show me ONLY the mountains on the surface of Mars when I tell it to.

This is a HUGE improvement over seeing ALL of the locations. Now when I wish to locate a specific mountain range, I can simply turn on the locations feature and select from those mountains which I have defined in the "mars_locs.ssc" file.

Heck, I owe you a WHOLE boatload of drinks now!

You Da Man, Don...

Thanks very much AGAIN.

Take care, Bob

Howdy Bob,

My dad is "Mr. Goyette". I'm just plain ol' Don.

I'm very glad that between Selden and I, we were able to help you get the Location files fixed. You are very welcome.

The best way to "pay us back" would be to add a section on your great Celestia web page (http://home.earthlink.net/~bobhegwood/) for these modified Location files <great big smile>! I, for one, would love to see all the Location files currently available, fixed to properly display items based on category.

Thanks a bunch Bob!

-Don G.

Don,

Your wish is my command Oh "Genie in the Bottle."

If I can quit working 55 hous a week for a change, I'll add the SSC's to it this weekend. Heck, I'll post them here too so the group can have a look.

Again, MANY thanks. This is real progress. I've gone from discovering a "bug" in Celestia to making it behave as advertised. What a great addiction this is. At least it IMPROVES your mind, instead of destroying it

Howdy Bob,

Bob Hegwood wrote:... I'll add the SSC's to it this weekend.

Plural!? WOW! Thanks Bob! Every little bit helps <big smile>!

Bob Hegwood wrote:What a great addiction this is. At least it IMPROVES your mind, instead of destroying it

BUT, watch out, it can fry your brain just like any other addiction <laughing>! You gotta take a "time out" every so often, to make sure the real Earth is still here <grin>.

-Don G.

Bob:
You're clearly enjoying fixing the locations files for yourself, so please carry on! But if it begins to wear you down, just let me know and I can e-mail you corrected versions for solar system bodies apart from the Earth. I'm just sorry these haven't been made available sooner ...

Grant

Howdy Grant,

You have corrected Location files?! Why not post them somewhere so everyone can access them?

-Don G.

They should be here, but I guess Chris forgot to update the files on the website when I sent them to him. Soon as he gets back from his trip I'll remind him, but meanwhile it seems a shame for Bob to go through a lot of work when the corrections already exist ... which is why I mentioned the subject now.

Grant