Solar System Map Generator

[Ben W Bell]

Okay, I wonder if anyone can help me with this. I'm looking for a program that I can use to easily build star systems maps. Basically ones that can output detailed high res images that I can then use as system maps for my online Traveller game and move e-counters around and the like.

Anyone know of anything like that out there? It doesn't have to be Traveller based, just as long as I can add moons, planets and stuff.

 

[snrdg082102]

Hello Ben W Bell,

Have you checked the BITS web site. They have a link to software that I think may work, called Traveller: Universe Software. Here is the link to Universe that might help in your decision. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to acquire a copy yet, since the store link doesn't allow shipping to the US. Have you tried Heaven & Earth by Stuart W. Ferris. The software, Heaven & Earth, can be downloaded from downport.com. Tom Bont also has a program that might fit the bill called, Astrogator. Hopefully, one of these can help you out.

Originally posted by Ben W Bell:
Okay, I wonder if anyone can help me with this. I'm looking for a program that I can use to easily build star systems maps. Basically ones that can output detailed high res images that I can then use as system maps for my online Traveller game and move e-counters around and the like.

Anyone know of anything like that out there? It doesn't have to be Traveller based, just as long as I can add moons, planets and stuff.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

H&E does basic system maps. The others don't.

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Thomas Rux:

Have you checked the BITS web site. They have a link to software that I think may work, called Traveller: Universe Software. Here is the link to Universe that might help in your decision. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to acquire a copy yet, since the store link doesn't allow shipping to the US.

Actually, the current release of Traveller Universe does not produce system maps. (This should be included in release 2, but that wont be for a while.)

As for US sales, Gnometrader (the distributor) recently started doing direct sales instead of relying exclusively on Amazon. As a result they can now sell this, or any other BITS product (including PPF), to the US ... or anywhere else. However, last time I checked they were down to just 6 copies and as I (the author) am now a homeless person I don't currently have the facilities to make more. Hopefully this is just a temporary situation.

(Anyone in the UK got a spare bed please email me.)

Regards PLST

 

[snrdg082102]

Hello Hemdian,

Thank-you for the information on Universe and I'll think positive thoughts about you finding a place to live. I attempted to purchase a copy approximately 2 weeks ago directly from the site. I got the same message that they could not ship to the US. Since there are so few left I probably have missed the boat again. Again thanks for the information.

 

[snrdg082102]

Hello Andrew Boulton,

Thank-you for the response to my post. Unfortunately, I'm not very proficient in system generation so I was judging by limited use of H&E and Astrogator. As for Universe I was going soley on the write-up on BITS. Again thanks for your response.

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Thomas Rux:
I attempted to purchase a copy approximately 2 weeks ago directly from the site. I got the same message that they could not ship to the US.

Hmmm ... that's odd. Were you on an Amazon page when you got this message? (They kept Amazon for the small amount of UK traffic they get from there, but they can't sell outside the UK from Amazon.)

On the other hand if it was from Gnometrader's site itself can you refresh your cache and reply to me (offlist) with the exact message ... actually a screen capture would be ideal. (I give Gnometrader tech support from time to time.) I know they have sold several copies to the US so there must be something specific in your case (there was a problem with pop-up blockers but this has now been fixed).

Worst case scenerio: since payments are now processed through Paypal they can take orders via email.

Regards PLST

 

[snrdg082102]

Evening Hemdian,

Thank-you for the additional information about a direct link to the Gnome Trader. I thought I had gone to the stores site. I've gone to the store and placed an order hopefully they have a copy in stock.

Originally posted by Hemdian:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Thomas Rux:
I attempted to purchase a copy approximately 2 weeks ago directly from the site. I got the same message that they could not ship to the US.

Hmmm ... that's odd. Were you on an Amazon page when you got this message? (They kept Amazon for the small amount of UK traffic they get from there, but they can't sell outside the UK from Amazon.)

On the other hand if it was from Gnometrader's site itself can you refresh your cache and reply to me (offlist) with the exact message ... actually a screen capture would be ideal. (I give Gnometrader tech support from time to time.) I know they have sold several copies to the US so there must be something specific in your case (there was a problem with pop-up blockers but this has now been fixed).

Worst case scenerio: since payments are now processed through Paypal they can take orders via email.

Regards PLST </font>[/QUOTE]

 

[TheEngineer]

Hi !

If anybody wants...there is a old prototype for that here: Sytemview
(Though I am sure H&E2 does that fine, too).

It a complete VB6.0 project with sources/executables included...
Basically you can enter any "system configuration" in a file and display/zoom the stuff.
There is a more enhanced version somewhere around on my laptop, so if there is any interest I will have a look for that...

Regards,

Mert

 

[Granpafishy]

I would be interested.

 

[snrdg082102]

Howdy The Engineer,

Make that a second person interested in the program.

Originally posted by TheEngineer:
Hi !

If anybody wants...there is a old prototype for that here: Sytemview
(Though I am sure H&E2 does that fine, too).

It a complete VB6.0 project with sources/executables included...
Basically you can enter any "system configuration" in a file and display/zoom the stuff.
There is a more enhanced version somewhere around on my laptop, so if there is any interest I will have a look for that...

Regards,

Mert

 

[TheEngineer]

Hi !

I finally found the newer version..
It will be stored on my website (same location)just today evening (CET).

You will be able to zoom and pan freely and also might set grid resolution to 25000 km in order to do some space combat

Best regards,

Mert

 

[Ben W Bell]

This is sort of what I wanted, though I was after something with the ability to show the positions of the planets in their orbits at certain times. i.e. see them go round the star and the like. The same with moons and stations.

Nice program though.

 

[TheEngineer]

Hi Ben !

Now thats not to complicate to add.

Right now, if there is orbital position
information inside the XML file the program
uses this data to set the position.
If there is no information the position is
generated (reproducable).

Well, what I could do:
- store an additional imperial date and releated
orbital start positions in the xml file
- add another field in the gui to enable the user
to enter another date, which is used to
calculate the actual positions.

Not to complicate, I guess...

What does the audience think ?

Regards,

Mert

 

[Ben W Bell]

Sounds good. Can you add some options such as remove the grid lines, remove orbital lines, and exaggerate the orbital body size (even more).

 

[TheEngineer]

New version is online....

 

[Andrew Boulton]

Very nice (although it crashes if you zoom out too far)

 

[TheEngineer]

Hi Andrew !

I will catch that one

For now, be careful and stay close to the primary...

Regards,

Mert

 

[Andrew Boulton]

There must be something nasty lurking in the Oort cloud...