How to access (secret) NASA resources

EarthMoon · Post #1by **EarthMoon** » 29.10.2022, 17:05

Here is it: https://eyes.nasa.gov/assets/static/

Accessing the website directly is impossible (if you don't have the correct links; you will get an XML file with somethink like "<Error>...</Error>"). You need to do some steps before accessing the resources.

There are lots of models (mostly .gltf) and textures (mostly .png or .jpg).

How to get the resources:

1. Launch one of the (web-based!) Eyes apps (e.g. Eyes on the Solar System)
2. While loading the application, press F12 (open the dev tools in your browser)
3. Go to "Network" tab (in Firefox, in other browsers it should be named similar)
4. Look for loaded files (*.gltf, *.png, *.jpg, *.*) and open/download them.
5. Done! Now you can download tons of resources :biggrin:

Post #2by **SevenSpheres** » 29.10.2022, 17:23

This is how several exoplanet textures in existing addons (e.g. Kepler-452 b) were retrieved.

EarthMoon wrote:While loading the application, press F12 (open the dev tools in your browser)

The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+Shift+I in both Chrome and Firefox, not F12. (Edit: It seems F12 does work if the Fn key is pressed along with it.)

DaveBowman2001 · Post #3by **DaveBowman2001** » 29.10.2022, 17:53

Wdym secret? The resources from Eyes of the Solar System are already publicly published here and on the 3D Resources site

Most of the spacecraft add-ons me, toutatis, Endeavor35, and gironde made are retrieved from those sites

TheLostProbe · Post #4by **TheLostProbe** » 29.10.2022, 22:36

SevenSpheres wrote:The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+Shift+I in both Chrome and Firefox, not F12.

in firefox, both ctrl+shift+i and f12 open the developer tools

EarthMoon · Post #5by **EarthMoon** » 30.10.2022, 09:24

DaveBowman2001 wrote:Wdym secret? The resources from Eyes of the Solar System are already publicly published here and on the 3D Resources site

PS: I'm going to download lots of resources :biggrin:

Added after 7 hours 10 minutes:

DaveBowman2001 wrote:The resources from Eyes of the Solar System are already publicly published here and on the 3D Resources site

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov is not https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system.

culturediff · Post #6by **culturediff** » 30.11.2023, 16:50

Hello,
More and more 3D models in *.gltf format are available.
Is it possible to insert 3D models with this extension in Celestia ?
Or is it necessary to change format (*.gltf => *.3ds or *.cmod) before insertion into Celestia ?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Karine.

EarthMoon · Post #7by **EarthMoon** » 30.11.2023, 18:53

culturediff wrote:Hello,
More and more 3D models in *.gltf format are available.
Is it possible to insert 3D models with this extension in Celestia ?
Or is it necessary to change format (*.gltf => *.3ds or *.cmod) before insertion into Celestia ?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Karine.

You need to convert them to .obj files first (I always use Blender for this, you can also edit/scale/rotate/reposition/etc. the model with this), then import them in Anim8or to export them to .cmod using this anim8or script and editing the model's colors, textures and other visual parameters with CmodView or with a text editor.

culturediff · Post #8by **culturediff** » 11.12.2023, 16:29

Thanks a lot EarthMoon for your quick reply.

I managed to transform, via Blender, a gltf file into (1 obj + 1 mtl) files, then to import the obj file into Anim8or, next to convert it into a cmod file. ... But I lost the texture (saved into the mtl file I presume) during the process. Impossible for me to import the texture into Anim8or nor cmodview. Any idea ? Advice ?

Thanks a lot for your help.

Karine.

Added after 4 minutes 29 seconds:
Please, note that when converting the gltf file into an obj file with convert3d (https://convert3d.org/gltf-to-obj), three files are generated : 1 obj + 1 mtl + 1 png (the texture). Alas, Anim8or can't import the obj file ...

EarthMoon · Post #9by **EarthMoon** » 15.12.2023, 21:46

You have two options to edit the texture of the .cmod (I recommend the easier (2nd) one):
The harder way: Open the file with a text editor and edit the material's texture0 properties (or add them if required), see https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Celestia/3D_Models/CMOD_File#Example_ASCII_CMOD_File (recommended only for very advanced users)
The easier way: Open the file with CmodView and edit the textures from there (select the part you want to edit and then change the settings in the right menu). (recommended for all kinds of users)

culturediff · Post #10by **culturediff** » 18.12.2023, 18:50

Hello EarthMoon,

Thanks a lot for your good advice.

I am trying to import a 3d model of La Reunion island into Celestia. Here are the few steps I followed :
1. I generated the model with qgis then exported it in the gltf format with qgistothreejs.
2. I converted the gltf file into a set of three files { obj+mtl+png } with convert3D (https://convert3d.org/gltf-to-obj)
3. I imported the obj file into anim8or - the texture correctly displays on the 3d model
4. I rotated the file of 90° in the Y direction, then saved it into the cmod format.
5. I then opened the cmod file with cmod view. No texture above the model which appears in black.
6. I then changed the settings of cmodview in the right panel so that the texture covers the model, next saved the file.
7. Finally, I imported the cmod file into Celestia. Alas, only the 3d model appears (in grey) - no texture above.

Both the cmod model and the texture are available on download at the following url : https://www.culturediff.org/Celestia.zip

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Karine.

Post #11by **SevenSpheres** » 19.12.2023, 03:21

Did you UV map the model in Anim8or, as described in this tutorial?

Is the texture where Celestia can read it (i.e. in the "textures/medres" directory)?

Your files should be set up like this:

Code: Select all

Celestia
- extras
  - [addon directory]
    - [file defining object].ssc
    - models
      - [model].cmod
    - textures
      - medres
        - [texture used by model].[jpg/png]

culturediff · Post #12by **culturediff** » 19.12.2023, 13:59

Hello SevenSpheres,

Thanks a lot for your reply.
You are right : I just simply forgot to copy the texture within the textures/medres directory.
Now, that works fine - youpi :wink:

Thanks a lot, really !

Have a nice day.
Karine.