Just wanted to run this by you to see if I can persuade you to change the directory structure before it gets out of hand. I think most people will like and accept the proposed structure change.
Proposed New Directory Structure
Code: Select all
Data
+Sol
+Models
+Textures
Sol_system.ssc
stars.dat
starnames.dat
etc...
+Generic
+Models
+Textures
+HD 512
+Models
+Textures
HD_512_system.ssc
+Muphrid
+Models
+Textures
Muphrid.ssc
known_universe.ssc
extended_universe.ssc
--- Zipped Universe Option ---
Star_trek_universe.zip**
Star_wars_universe.zip**
Ok there is a lot of information here. I will start off first with the NEW x_universe.ssc files. These files are a simple pointer files that will define the available universes people can select from in the future (this has been a frequent request, but you know that) it will allow you to turn on and off the universes by a simple click, or possible even just part of them if you want the granularity. Sticking with the basic structure of the scc, the universe file would look something like this;
Proposed x_universe.ssc files
Code: Select all
--- known_universe.ssc ---
"Known Universe"
{
SystemDirectoy "sol"
{
SystemFile “Sol_system.ssc”
SystemFile “stars.dat”
SystemFile “starnames.dat”
SystemFile etc...
}
SystemDirectoy “Generic”
{
SystemFile “extrasolar.ssc”
}
}
--- End known_universe.ssc ---
--- extended_universe.ssc ---
“Extended Universe”
{
SystemDirectoy "sol"
{
SystemFile “Sol_system.ssc”
SystemFile “stars.dat”
SystemFile “starnames.dat”
SystemFile etc...
}
SystemDirectoy “Generic”
{
SystemFile “extrasolar.ssc”
}
SystemDirectoy “HD 512”
{
SystemFile “HD_512_system.ssc”
}
SystemDirectoy “Muphrid”
{
SystemFile “Muphrid.ssc”
}
}
--- End extended_universe.ssc ---
Zipped Universes**
The zipped universes are a simple idea to save space and make installation of universes easier. The basic structure and rules apply as listed above; the only difference is that the universes are zipped into a single package.
Proposed New Directory Structure Continued
As for changes to some of the subdirectories in the current version of Celestia. I think you can get rid of the high, medium, and low image quality directories in the new format and just rely on the developers just to name the images for the different resolutions differently.
A good example is the high rez images of earth. There are three different files for it each with its own name;
earth8k-BM-col-bmp-um.dds
earth4k-BM-col-bmp-um.dds
earth2k-BM-col-bmp-um.dds
so I think by putting them in different directories kind of useless to me.
Final Notes.
If you like this idea or don't understand something let me know. Other peoples constructive ideas accepted too! I don't mind making the changes, even if I have to do it myself, as long as its sooner rather then later.
-Matt-
The concept is very simply. It is like a directory structure, but you get to choose to make certain items available. Items that you don’t want just uncheck them. And because its Hierarchal, if you decides not to have the universe shown, then it intelligently removes the child item. This is about as simple as it gets while maintaining the ability to be granular, down to the systems level.