Up to now I've been creating my models manually using a connect the dots method, where I plot the point in the model using galactic b2 l2 coordinates and use the nasa HEASARC Coordinate converter to convert those points to the RA and Dec that celestia wants; if there's a more efficient way making these models please give me a holler! Any light which can be shed is always appreciatd.
Any way I'm working with some maps that I'd love to overlay flat on the plane. One way I think I can do this is to use the billboard mesh and change... some perameter to orient it so it's facing directly "up" toward galactic north, I'd imagine I can adjust the size by modifying the radius in the DSC and the distance and position of the center using RA/Dec, but the orientation is the tricky bit for me since I don't really understand what definitions dictate what exactly.
Reading Selden's page has only evoked more questions.
-What is "Celestia's builtin positioning tool" and how does one use it?
-What is the Radius exactly? Is the radius the size of one unit on the length of the side of the billboard? In other words if I'm using a billboard with a radius of 50, will this then create a square 50 lightyears by 50 light years or If I'm using the 2x1 rectangle will it make a billboard 100lys by 50lys?
I know the vertices define the points of the square but I'm unclear on what the trilist defines.
I'm also unclear on what defines the actual positions of those vertices.
Over all I'm quite confused, how do you guys make and orient models? Is there some ideal software for the process?
Here's an example of What I've been able to create using my own methods: http://student.santarosa.edu/~kkieta/2010fall/wrk_Infinite_Diversity%202/filedump/KnownSpace3.4.zip
