Documentaion and...

[anarion9]

I want to point to a possible problem of next versions of Celestia, that's independent from bugs: Documentation!
As features will be more and more, and configurable parameters will increase, I think the new user like the experienced one will need a reference more detailed, not only a list of commands, just to know what Celestia can do and how.

As many people, I don't like using menu commands or buttons to navigate Celestia, I prefer using keyboard, and I found there are undocumented commands (like keys 0,9 to select planets in a Star System).

Last of all, an idea: Celestia can simulate our Universe, but sometimes we may need a guide through the stars to appreciate the features of the program. It could be a interesting idea to write some tutorial-guide-description to objects you can see with the simulation, with a descripion and a explanation more detailed than the actual tour guide feature.
It should be realized with some text formatted files, followed by script files to be used with Celestia.

You know, knowledge is power.

At the moment I'm working on something similar, because I'm preparing lessons with my amateur astronomy group using Celestia, but I have to organize and translate lessons from Italian to English, and it will take me time.
I'll be happy to share ideas and suggestions about topics with everyone wants to contribute.
You can find me at vingilot@lycos.it .

Regards
Anarion

[Incognito]

You could do what you are suggesting now by modifying the demo.cel file. Create your own tour of the solar system and use the print function do display whatever text you want. You may have to tinker a bit to figure out the syntax but it seems not too hard. Hopefully there will be more complete documentation in a future release

[anarion9]

Yes, I figured it and I did my customized files.
But my idea was about something more extensive, like tutorials that use Celestia to explain astronomical topics.
To do so, we don't need to make changes to Celestia (if only it would be possible to load during a session different *.cel files, instead of renaming them every time in 'demo.cel'....), my project is something like a library of topics interesting to see with Celestia: just a descriptive text and a script.
If you want to collaborate, just e-mail me.

Cheers
Anarion

[chris]

I am adding an option to the File menu that will let you load a new .cel script . . . will this be helpful?

--Chris

[anarion9]

Yes, it would be really helpful...
Anarion

[anarion9]

Thanks, it would be really helpful... I was waiting for this feature.
Regards
Anarion