Add-On editor

[Paolo]

Since my experience in C++ using Celestia Objects is continuing to grow and my CELUI project is going to keep consistency I would like to start using both of them in a useful application.

I would like to prepare an editor with the capability of:
- Listing
- Loading
- Browsing
- Editing
- Saving

all the of Celestia Add-on file.

It won't be a complete Add-on manager, but in a future should be an interesting part of it, allowing to manage coherently many aspects of the files like the Manifest section, etc.

I imagine this software like a database front-end, with the difference that there isn't a real database as back-end, but a series of file in the extras folder of Celestia.

For instance I would like to start creating an interactive 3D graphic interface for ssc elements like the image at Nasa site
.

Is someone interested in giving a hand or giving suggestions?
Does someone already prepared, or is working on, something similar?
Do you think this should be useful, or is it better if I contribute in a different way?

I'm collecting ideas and opinions at this stage. I think that CELUI will be ready in a stable version (now is 0.3) within June so after that period I'll start the new project.

Bye - Paolo

[Toti]

Hi Paolo. I have a few questions regarding your projects.

I would like to prepare an editor ...(for)... all of the Celestia Add-on file.

Will this be embedded into the Celestia executable?

I think that CELUI will be ready in a stable version

Is this a multiplatform interface? Will this replace the separated UIs (windows, KDE, etc.)?

Bye

[Paolo]

Hi toti

CELUI is a Multiplatform interface based on OpenGL and inspired form PUI. It will be possibile to use it with GLUT, freeGLUT and with every other system abstraction layer tool like NeHe, so hopefully will be possible to use it on many type of systems. I've designed it for Celestia trying to implement a flexible system in order to solve many of the feature requests collected in my website, and to prepare a general purpose interface for simulation programs and games like Mostly Harmless. As I wrote elsewhere is a programming exercise so many-many features (eye-candy) are available.
As I've used many Celestia Objects, it will be GPL 2 so full source will be available.

Since now in CELUI I've used 2D graphic capabilities of openGL. After this experience I would like to familiarize with 3D.
So the first version of the add-on editor will be a standalone executable, with a 3D environment that will represent in a schematic view the Celestia Objects contained in add-on file. It will be possible to edit the data and observe interactively in realtime the changes in the schematic view.

I'll start with ssc file but I plan to manage dsc, dat, xyz, scripts and so.

Since the source code will be available, perhaps one day it will be embedded in the Celestia executable.

- Bye

[don]

Howdy Paolo,

Glad to hear your CELUI project is still coming along nicely.

I would like to prepare an editor with the capability of:
- Listing
- Loading
- Browsing
- Editing
- Saving

all the of Celestia Add-on file.

In the add-on manager discussion newsgroup list, Christophe suggested using a high-level language or scripting facility versus using C++, since more folks would be familiar with those (ie. perl, PHP, Java, etc.). By default, these tools are also cross-platform, using the native interface of each OS.

Thus, I'm not sure that your doing this in C++ and CELUI would be a good expenditure of your time -- except for "learning" <smile>.

I imagine this software like a database front-end, with the difference that there isn't a real database as back-end,

Christophe is currently working on an SQL database for this purpose (http://addonrep:pr4gtu7@www.teyssier.org/phpMyAdmin/), and already has several web forms developed and on-line (http://celestia.teyssier.org/addonrep/) for testing. (Refer to the newsgroup list for more details.)

[Paolo]

Hi Don Thank you for the reply.

I should agree with you: an high level language can be used by many developers to create an editor for the Celestia add-on file that have an internal format very simple.... But.
Do you know if someone is already working on it?

Referring to the database I don't mean a sql repository for the catalog of the add-on that i consider the add-on manager. I mean something that does exactly what Celestia does: parse the folders, list the add-on file, loads the content. But the difference is that you will be able to edit and update the files.

- Paolo

[don]

Howdy Paolo,

Do you know if someone is already working on it?

I don't think it would make too much sense to start it before the SQL database is finalized, but I'm not positive.

I mean something that does exactly what Celestia does: parse the folders, list the add-on file, loads the content. But the difference is that you will be able to edit and update the files.

Okay, now the graphics you included and the second part of your initial message make more sense. Thank you.

That sounds like a fun and challenging project Paolo ... right in my range of interest. But, it's spring time here which means a lot of outside work so my PC time is much reduced from winter. But, if you wouldn't mind having someone help out a few hours a week, I would love to learn more about OpenGL, C++, and your CELUI project.

Cheers,

[Paolo]

Hi Don

I don't think it would make too much sense to start it before the SQL database is finalized, but I'm not positive.

Do you know if the things are going on in this direction? Is Christophe or someone else working on it?
I would use the Add-on editor to simplify the process of add-on modification specially if it will be required by the add-on manager. I mean adding the manifest section, performing file conversion, pre-compilation. For the last I mean discovering the small bugs in the definition of SSC, DSC and so, like wrong punctuation, missing brackets, wrong number formats etc etc.

But, if you wouldn't mind having someone help out a few hours a week, I would love to learn more about OpenGL, C++, and your CELUI project.

Your help as tester would be very mouch apreciated, because I know you are extremely accurate and careful.

- Paolo

[don]

Do you know if the things are going on in this direction?

Christophe is the developer working on this project. All I know is what I read on the newsgroup list, and there hasn't been much activity since November of last year.

I would use the Add-on editor to simplify the process of add-on modification specially if it will be required by the add-on manager.

It sounds like your editor would be a good tool for people who are creating add-ons, and also people who might want to modify their existing files or add-ons.

Your help as tester would be very mouch apreciated, because I know you are extremely accurate and careful.

Thank you Paolo, I would be glad to help with testing.

[Toti]

Paolo,
thank you for your response.

For instance I would like to start creating an interactive 3D graphic interface for ssc elements like the image at Nasa site

Being able to interactively watch the result (in orbit's shape) of altering ssc variables will be quite useful for add-on makers, and also an informative/educational resource.

Bye