 |
 |
The History of RockSim - What Changed
in Previous Versions?
Written by Tim Van Milligan
|
|
In late 1995, I was approached by a programmer named Paul Fossey. He had recently purchased a copy of my book: Model Rocket Design and Construction, and it inspired him to want to create a computer program to design rockets. At the time, there were several good programs available, but Paul wanted to undertake the task to gain experience in learning a new programming language: C++. He basically wanted my help in the technical areas of rocketry that he was unfamiliar with. I had nothing to lose, so I told him to go ahead and contact me when he reached a point where he had something to show me.
A bunch of months later; after I had completely forgot about his project, a packaged showed up in my mailbox. It contained a bunch of printouts of screen shots of his work. I was really impressed. What was unique, was that his was the first rocket program that actually calculated the mass of each component in the design. I quickly realized that because of this feature, the software had the potential to turn into an awesome design tool. So in the following months, I encouraged him as best as I could, and fed him any technical information that I thought would make the program better.
The rest of the work Paul has done completely on his own. The beauty of RockSim is its friendly user interface. He has tried to make it simple to use; so that even younger modelers would find it fun to design rockets. It was also designed to work quickly - even while the user was still in the process of making changes. If you seen how the CP and CG change with movements of parts, you know what I'm talking about. It is really impressive; and was a first in model rocket software. Having done a little programming myself, I knew that this type of feature was complex; so that gave me a hint of how good of a programmer Paul is.
The other credit for the greatness of the program goes to those initial users of RockSim. They took a chance on using this new program, and they fell in love with it. The program was everything they expected, plus a lot more. They quickly told their friends, and the fame of RockSim was born. The result of this was that more people started to buy it; and they wanted new features. This made an impression on Paul, as he has a passion for rocketry. He really wants to share this passion with other modelers. So dispite the time and effort it takes to continually improve the program, he has done it. He isn't getting rich on the program, as he mostly does it for the desire to help other modelers and to make the hobby of rocketry safer and more fun.
Here is a brief history of what changed with each new version since the first one was released in 1997:
|
|
Features Introduced in Version 2.0
|
|
1) The Rocket Motor Editor Software. With this software program (bundled with RockSim), you can create new rocket motors that can be used in the RockSim software. It is simple to use too; you start by entering basic physical characteristics of the motor like size, weight, and propellant mass. Then you draw a thrust curve on the graph area. To change the thrust curve, you simply click and drag handles to the new location. From this, the software calculates the Total Impulse of the motor and its Average Thrust. The output of this program is a RASP file that uses industry standard parameters, so you can use it for other simulation software besides RockSim. And also because of this, you can also modify existing RASP files (from other software providers) and correct them for accuracy.
|
2) The Rocket Motor Compiler software. This compiler takes a motor RASP file (which is generated by the Rocket Motor Editor Software, or which you can download from a Internet database) and puts it into a format that RockSim 2.0 recognizes and can use. It takes less than 30 seconds to run a database of several hundred different rocket motors.
3) The new Fossey/RockSim Stability Technique. This is exclusive feature to RockSim and is not available from any other design software! Because of the limitations of the Barrowman Equations (you can't use it to do odd shaped fins), and because the Cardboard Cut-Out Method is inaccurate, we had to develop this new technique to analyze the stability of weird shaped rockets. A technical report (TP #17 - part number 36017) describing this technique, is available in our Technical Publications section of the Apogee web site.
4) The material database will contain flags which limit the entries which are available for each component type. For example, you can select that "paper" can be used to make body tubes and centering rings, but not parachutes. But you can always override these selections so that you can design the rocket to your own tastes.
5) Mass allowance for various types of surface finishes and glues.
6) We added database 'save support' for fin sets. In the previous version of RockSim, you couldn't save your fin patterns so that you could use them in other designs. But you can now!
7) We added fractional thickness combo box for fin sets. The user will be able to choose from several standard fractional fin thickness choices when designing new fins. This makes it quicker to design fins, because now you don't have to calculate that the decimal equivalent of 1/16 inch is .0625. You can just click on 1/16 inch thick balsa.
8) A database 'save support' for mass objects. So you can now specify objects (like electronic payloads), and call them up in various rocket designs.
9) A new 'database support' for streamers.
10) Added "Choose a compatible body tube" to both the nose cone and transition design screens. This enables auto sizing the shoulder diameter(s) and base diameter(s) from a known body tube size. It makes using RockSim the fastest design software ever!
11) Added maintenance screen for the materials database. The user can now edit the materials database, and specify which materials are available for the various design components.
12) A new fin shape design editor. The makes designing new fin shapes much easier! |
Features introduced in Version 3.0
|
|
1) Added Cd prediction to the simulation calculations. These changes predict the Cd of the rocket design based on the design geometry, and the atmospheric conditions during the flight.
2) Added transonic and supersonic effects on the rocket's Cd.
3) Added plot output for the new Cd calculations.
4) Graph titles now center over the grid, and not the entire plot area.
5) Added optimal mass prediction screen.
6) Added Cd analysis screen.
7) Fixed a bug in the engine editor save operation.
8) Fixed a bug which caused saved fins sets to be retrieved incorrectly.
|
Features introduced in Version 4.0
|
What were the MAJOR features (click Here)
1) Replaced graph drawing code with ProEssentials version 2.0.
2) Added support for custom (Non-Barrowman) fin sets.
3) File open now defaults to the designs folder the first time it is invoked.
4) Fixed a drawing glitch for elliptical fins which span transition sections.
5) Added "Choose from detailed list..." menu option for all component design screens.
6) Added cm, meters, and feet to the component units selections within all parts data files.
7) Changed the parachute canopy diamter limit from 4 Feet to 24 Feet.
8) Added validation of parachute shroud line material to the parachute dialog.
9) Added support for several new nose cone shapes: Elliptical, Power series, Parabolic series, and Sears-Haack.
10) Added launch guide length to Rocket designs, and simulations.
11) Force focus to return to the RockSim main screen when the launch selection dialog is hidden.
12) The user can now override the default engine delays by typing in a delay in seconds.
13) Changed the plot values for acceleration. The incremental acceleration is now dV/dT for the rocket instead of the output of the a = F/M - g equation.
14) Corrected the reference axis for transition section CG calculations. This fixed an alignment error for boat tails.
15) Extended transonic/supersonic Cd adjustments beyond mach 2.0.
16) Added 4th order Runge-Kuta numeric method to the simulaiton system. The user can now choose between "Explicit Euler" and "4th order Runge-Kuta" simulation methods.
17) The engine select dialig box now disappears after pushing the "Launch" button.
18) The user can now specifiy "ALL" for the delay time in the sustainer. The flight conditions at all delay times are then tracked in the simulation.
19) Transitions now support the mass calulations for a drilled through core.
20) Fixed length calculation on rocket display. Multiple nested body tubes are now handled correctly.
21) The upper stage(s) of multi stage rockets can now be launched w/o boosters by not loading engines into the lower stages.
22) Added g's to available units for acceleration.
23) Engine overhang specification is now being correctly saved with the motor design specifications.
24) Added shape parameter to transition sections. All available nose cone shapes can now be used for transition sections.
25) Added a facility to upgrade user parts database files. This operation takes place the first time RockSim is run after a new install.
26) The fin sweep mode setting is now saved with trapezoidal fins sets.
27) Fixed a drawing glitch for transition templates. The length is now correct.
28) Added: KBT / KB(F) interference factor to the RockSim stability method. This is the correction factor for the body in the presence of the fins. J. Barrowman chose to leave this out of his original formulas in order to keep the equations simpler.
29) The simulation summary displayed on the main screen is now user configurable.
30) Added a new graphing interface screen. This screen allows graph definitions to be saved/restored.
31) Enhanced details component selection screen to display dimensions in the currenlty selected units.
32) Changed the default name of CRing derived components to reflect their specified usage.
|
Features introduced in Version 5.0
|
Show me pictures... click here
Release Date: 12-22-00
All changes refer to the RockSim program unless otherwise noted.
1) ENGEDIT: Force initial file open/save/save as to the rocksim\data folder.
2) Improved 1/4 chord position calculation for non trapezoidal fins.
3) The grid label color in the fin planner screen is now retained accross sessions.
4) Added support for through the wall fin mounting tabs.
5) Enhanced the rocket image to always draw the component being edited in the foreground.
6) Printing of single custom fin plans now works correctly.
7) Increased the number of root edge fin plan data points. This prevents an internal array overflow when an airframe contains many transition sections.
8) Added support to print fin plans that span multiple pages.
9) Update the material database with new materials when loading rocket rocket designs. This enables users to "import" designs from other users with different material database entries.
10) Added support for a straight cylinder section at the base of nose
cones. This feature enables more accurate rendering of commercial cones.
11) Added two new properties to all components. Color and texture. These were added for future enhancements.
12) All component edit screens are now property sheets. This was done to free up screen space for future enhancements.
13) Added 3D view of the rocket design.
14) Major architecture enhancements in the design screens.
15) The component screen now maintains it's visual state between edit sessions.
16) Fixed a display bug for acceleration in Gee's.
17) Fixed a printing bug that was causing some print drivers mainfest an exception 10h.
18) Fixed a bug in stage count change. Reducing the stage count when there were existing booster components was causing a failire.
19) The simulator can now simulate from launch to lawn dart (Er...
Landing). Parachute and streamer descent rates are simulated.
20) The parachute screen now has a Cd value.
21) The streamer screen now has a Cd value. The Cd can be predicted by rocksim.
22) The ability to edit mutiple components at the same time was added.
23) Multiple recovery devices can now be installed.
24) Recovery devices can now be deployed at Apogee, Ejection, Altitude, or Time offsets.
25) The flight profile screen can now display the animation and the scrolling numeric details at the same time.
26) Added the calculated "Earth" data to the simulation output:
Gravitational acceleration
Air density
Air vicosity
Air temperature
Air pressure
Etc.
This was done to aid in debugging simulation problems, and to aid in validation of the simulation against other models.
27) Upgraded the graphing software to the latest version. This eliminated several graphing bugs.
28) Added the Cluster Wizard... button to the component screen. This features reuses some of the version 4 simple cluster patterns without loosing the flexability of the version 5 cluster model. To use this, select an inside tube, then push the "Cluster Wizard" button. Look for the "Cluster Wizard" button on the compnent add/edit/delete screen.
29) Added the ability to select fin plan points w/o moving the point. (Shift-Click or Ctrl-Click on the point)
30) Fixed a diameter miscalulation bug introduced in Beta 4. The calculated maximum diameter was incorrect.
31) Fixed a bug in the nose cone radius of gyration calculations. This problem ony happened on solid nose cones with a drilled core
specified. The symptoms were: Simulations halt w/o any indication why. The Lateral and Radial moment of intertia displayed in the parts
list indicated a numeric overflow.
32) Inside tubes, Fin Sets, and Ring components now support three different position modes:
A) Position from the front of the owning part. (This is the default, and the way rocksim worked in the past)
B) Position from the rear of the owning part.
C) Position from the nose tip.
33) RockSim now supports subassemblies.
34) There is a printable version of the on-line help file in the program folder. ( RSmanual.rtf ).
|
|
1) Hard wired all database file names. This was done to prevent database merge errors on new installs.
2) Replaced the use of system command calls in the database merge process. This was done to prevent flashing command windows on installs into clean folders. The command syntax used was also not usable on Windows 95 systems.
3) Version 5.0 recovery device events were not stored in pre version 5.0 simulation records. This prevented old simulations from being re-run. The default recovery device events are now added to old simulations when they are run again.
4) The Cd prediction code uses a low velocity cutoff in its calculations. In rocksim 4.0 this value was stored in Ft./Second in RockSim.ini. Version 5.0 stores this value in m/s. RockSim was not performing the conversion. This resulted in altitude changes in the initial release.
5) Fixed a calculation error in the 2D display screen. The span diameter is now correct. This was only a display bug. The span diameter is not used in any calculations other than display sizing.
6) Changed the rocksim linkage to system libraries. This enables rocksim to run on all current Win 32 platforms.
7) Save of centering rings, Etc. now works.
8) The engine size setting on the body tube design screen is now a combo box. This now works like version 4.0.
|
1) Simple fin sets now save correctly to the database.
2) Fixed a typo in the KM/Hr to Ft./Sec conversion factor.
3) Fixed a crash in the sub assembly screen. This was caused by an earlier fix made on the component mass user interface.
4) Fixed a crash that happened when switching between stage views in 3D.
5) The fin design screen now correctly displays the Shape combo box. (You can choose Trapezoidal / Elliptical correctly)
6) The parachute screen now correctly calculates the component mass.
7) RockSim 5+ can no longer rerun simulations created prior to version 5.0. The extensive changes made in the version 5.0 cluster model, and the way motor mount data is stored make this restriction a requirement.
8) Two tests have been added to the simulation processor:
a) If the engine specified in the simulation is no longer in the database, the simulation will not be run. This fixed a bug that was causing the last engine in the database to be used in the case of a failed search. This bug resulted in some very strange simulation results.
b) If the motor mount referenced in a simulation is no longer in he design, then the simulation will not run.
9) The centering ring design screen now has an "Auto Size Known Dimensions" check box. The default behavior of rocksim has always been to determine the OD/ ID / Hole pattern for centering rings. Enough people have asked about entering their own data. So here you go.
10) Added a simulation progress dialog box. This dialog box enables you to monitor and/or cancel simulation runs.
11) Reversed the sense of the camera buttons on the 3D view screen. The buttons were really intended to move the "camera", however many people assumed that the buttons moved the model.
12) Fixed a bug that was assigning the wrong results icons for simulations.
13) Changed the apogee detection model used in the simulator.
OLD SIMULATOR:
If final engine burnout has happened, and apogee has not been detected, AND The previous altitude is greater than the current altitude.
NEW SIMULATOR:
If the previous Y-Axis velocity is positive, and the current y-Axis velocity is negative, then apogee is detected. Multiple altitude peaks are also handled.
This change was made to handle underpowered flights, and multi stage launches with boosters firing after apogee.
14) Fixed a CG calculation error in the simulation. The engine CG was being located at the front of the engine casing instead of the midpoint. This was a side effect of hooking in code to allow the user to specify the engine CG.
15) Fixed a display error that happened after a simulation was run. The rocket CG and Mass data now display correct values.
16) Added Copy / Cut / Paste clipboard buttons on the main design screen.
17) Fixed a bug that was preventing the highlight color on the 2D-design screen from working.
18) Added Drag & Drop functionality to the main design screen.
19) Added a streamer graphic to the 2D-flight profile.
20) Fixed a bug that was preventing double click on an engine selection from working.
21) Fixed a template-printing bug that was causing clipped images on high-resolution printers.
22) Updated the 3D graphics class library to version 3.2.
23) Fixed a bug that caused transition import from the parts database to use incorrect units.
24) Fixed the parts list report to not flag subassemblies as having zero mass.
25) Added launch lugs to the 3D-display model.
26) Added engines to the 3D-display model.
27) Fixed a bug that prevented forward swept fins from printing correctly.
28) Added double click support for the database component selection dialog.
29) Fixed optimal mass prediction code. Flight events could cause the simulations to short circuit.
30) Fixed a bug in Barrowman CP recalculation. The mid chord length was not always being recalculated as the design changed. This resulted in incorrect (high) CNa values.
|
Bugs Fixed in Version 6.00
|
There where many bugs in version 5.0 that were a nusaence. Before releasing version 6.00, these bugs were fixed:
1) Fixed a drag n' drop bug that prevented components from being dropped on stage root nodes.
2) Fixed a positioning bug. Nested tubes positioned relative to the owning part's base now display rational position values.
3) Fixed a bug in ignition delay simulations. The mass reduction curve is now in sync with the ignition delay.
4) Fixed a set of bugs that happened when running huge simulations.
a) The disk full exception handler now works correctly on all platforms.
b) The number of samples allowed for plotting is now limited in order to improve response time.
c) The above sample limit, also reduces runtime memory overhead.
5) Fixed a nose cone template print bug. The optional straight section at the base of the nose cone now prints correctly.
6) Fixed a crash bug in 3D rendering mode. If a rocket was displayed in 3D mode, and the view was switched to Wireframe mode. RockSim was crashing when switched back to 2D mode.
7) Fixed up some tab order problems on various screens.
8) Fixed most screens so that the user can tab between screen regions.
9) Replaced the MS Windows List Control with a custom grid control. This was done to eliminate a nasty crash caused when the user double clicked a selection in the list. The component part selector and the engine selector were repalced.
10) Fixed a foolish bug that resulted when the optimal mass dialog was closed during a simulation. RockSim was hanging because of a child thread that was not correctly terminating.
11) Fixed a general memory leak in internal user interface wrapper classes. This was causing resources to slowly degrade over many design iterations.
12) Fixed a bug in the quarter chord position calculation for RockSim free form fins. This resulted in the CP being moved too far forward towards the nose cone.
13) Fixed the streamer design screen auto Calculate Cd button. It was only operational if "Auto Calc Cd" was checked.
14) The Auto size check box on the "Ring" screen now retains it's value.
15) The last drawing view and stage count is now saved with the design file.
16) Fixed a display bug in the drag analysis display screen. The minimum Cd prediction velocity was not being applied to the calulations. This was resulting in a huge fin Cd component at very low velocities.
17) Fixed a bug in the fin set calculation for the airframe diameter at the leading edge of a fin. The process model was broken if the leading edge of the fin was attached to a nose cone.
|
New Features added in Version 6.00
|
1. New File Format - The way RockSim stores rocket design files has been totally changed. The old way was proprietary. The new XML format will allow other computer programs to access the volumous data that RockSim generates and saves. This will allow you to get more milage out of RockSim designs by using it in conjuction with other applications; such as Fins Fun template maker, the new FinSim structural analysis program, or the AeroCFD software. As more applications evolve (like SplashPattern and HyperCFD), they'll rely on the RockSim format for storing data. And don't worry, the new v6.0 will still be able to open all RockSim designs created in previous versions - so you don't lose any data you already have stored.
2. Optimum Mass Prediction - We added a new runtime routine that will generate the "optimum mass" much quicker. It no longer asks you to guess to get the solution started. Just click a button, and it will generate the final solution on its own.
3. Added an "Export to AeroCFD" menu item. This function saves the current RockSim design as an AeroCFD data file. Now you do not need to redraw the rocket design in the AeroCFD software!
4. Added command line switches for batch processing. This will allow other programs to loop RockSim to find optimum conditions. For example, a new program might find the optimum launch angle for "close proximity recovery" for any given wind conditions.
5) Fins are now rendered in the 2D base view.
|
1) Added code to work around another Windows bug. The component windows would hang on some systems if you clicked Choose from database, and then clicked on the 2D render window. Microsoft claims they will fix this. (Yeah Right!)
2) Repaired the component screens to work correctly on Windows ME. An earlier fix for Windows XP was incompatible with some Windows ME installations.
3) Added a simple color model for choosing the 3D surface rendering characteristics for components. This option reduces the complexity on the Component editor Drawing tab. Most of the parameters are calculated from the component Finish choice.
4) Fixed a simulation bug that could crash the simulator when using mass override on the rocket. This was a stupid uninitialized member variable bug that was just waiting for the right memory image to show itself!
5) Added the engine list sort persistence into the new grid control. Added the component list sort persistence into the new grid control. ( I didn't realized how much people would miss this one! )
|
1) Fixed the interface layer to the simulator. A change made to fix a bug in Windows XP was causing random crashes on some Windows 98/ME systems. As a result of this fix, some of the performance improvements in the simulator have been lost in order to function on older windows platforms. Sorry.
2) The image processing library linking method was changed to fix a bug in Windows XP. This fix broke the image export facility. The linkage to the image processing library is now working properly.
|
1) Changed the setup process to include some libraries that some Windows 95 systems may not have installed.
2) BUG: Rocket component values get cleared when you attempt to edit the component.
VERSION FOUND: 6.00 - 6.04
CONDITIONS: Multi stage design. Single component edit mode (Settings - Design mode tab). Change the displayed stage count to Sustainer + Booster prior to entering design mode, and editing a component in the sustainer stage. FIXED
|
1) Upgraded to version 4.0 of the OpenGL graphics class library.
2) BUG: Simulation control flags were being copied from the most recently used values instead of from the stored simulation data when re-running old simulations.
VERSION FOUND: 5.00 - 6.04
CONDITIONS: Selecting an old simulation, and pressing Simulation - Recalculate.
The Last used values for Samples per second, Terminate simulation at apogee, Etc. will be used in the
simulation instead of the values used at the time the simulation was created.
3) Multiple component copies to the clipboard were causing a crash on some systems. This has been repaired.
4) The user interface was redesigned to allow easier access to design mode functions. The design screen is now integrated with the main screen.
5) The design view screen is integrated with the main screen. This was done in order to remove the dual menus.
6) You can now have two design views on the screen at the same time. The main design view, and the design view attached to components.
7) The File menu now contains an Export menu. This places all of the export facilities in one location for easier access.
8) A new grid control is used for all selection lists. (Engine Selection, Component Selection, ...)
9) Subassemblies can now contain outer airframe components. (Nose cones, Transitions, Body tubes,...)
10) Updated on-line help files.
11) On-line help files are also shipped with a PDF version.
12) Under Windows 95 and Windows 98, fin and ring templates would sometimes not print at all, or only print partial images. This was caused by a windows print driver bug. RockSim now bypasses the root cause of this bug. Templates now print correctly.
13) The camera position is now retained across view changes, and sessions. The last known camera position is stored with the design.
14) Re-editing a subassembly was crashing rocksim on some systems. This is now fixed.
15) Fixed the simulation summary display to display information from the new simulation event data. Velocity and Altitude at recovery device deployment were not being displayed in the summary screen.
16) Fixed a couple of editable combo boxes that should not have been editable.
17) Motor mount serial numbers can be changed without user intervention. The system used to prevent simulation reruns if a design change resulted in new motor mounts being created. The parser also repairs designs with duplicate serial numbers for parts.
18) The engine selection filter is now persistent across runtime sessions.
19) The simulation export screen was changed to match all other export screens.
20) The simulation screen now repaints correctly after a new simulation is run.
21) Recovery devices removed after a simulation no longer crash rocksim when the simulation is run again.
22) Stability text is displayed correctly when changes are made to the rocket design stability calculation method selections.
23) Temperature conversion between Deg. C, and Deg. K is now working correctly.
24) The file "open" and "save as" default paths are now correct on new installs.
25) If a "Wind Starts At" altitude is specified, the simulation now correctly turns off the wind vector when the rocket is descending on it's recovery device.
26) Changing the number of stages in a design after components have been added is now handled correctly.
27) Fin sets attached to sub assemblies now correctly contribute a drag component.
28) The settings in the engine selection dialog are now retained across runtime sessions.
29) The dimensional and mass units on the database selection screen are now in synch.
30) The rocket display now refreshes correctly after the launch button in the simulation prep screen is pressed.
31) In the free form fin editor, and the engine editor: Existing points no longer move if you just click on them.
The Shift+Click option is also still available if you want to "select" a point.
|
New Features added in Version 7.0
|
1) Added support for asymmetrical fin placement.
2) Added support for non standard fin counts. The original Barrowman equations only worked with 3, 4, or 6 fins.
3) Radial stability graph. (Supports the two features above)
4) Added new wind model (Variable winds, and Thermals/Sinks).
5) Added competition settings (See The competition tab on the simulation prep screen).
6) Upgraded to version 4.0 of the OpenGL graphics class library. (Faster rendering of 3D views)
7) The user interface was redesigned to allow easier access to design mode functions. The design screen is now integrated with the main screen.
8) The design view screen is integrated with the main screen. This was done in order to remove the dual menus. Too many users complained about the multiple desktop windows. The other reason for this was to aid in the consistent look and feel between the upcoming Mac OSn version.
9) You can now have two design views on the screen at the same time. The main design view, and the design view attached to components.
10) The file menu now contains an Export menu. This places all of the export facilities in one location for easier access.
11) A new grid control is used for all selection lists. (Engine Selection, Component Selection ...)
12) Subassemblies can now contain outer airframe components. (Nose cones, Transitions, Body tubes...)
13) On-line help files are also shipped with a PDF version.
|
1) Activated the Zoom to fit / Zoom in / Zoom out buttons for the 2D design view. This enables the user to magnify the 2D view. The rocket design file maintains two different zoom/position settings across runtime sessions. One setting for the main screen and one setting for the component screens.
2) Added code to allow fins to span nose cones. This was done to fix a bug in the automatic fin creation code. The 3D rendering code was crashing on some systems when the owning body tube was very short.
3) Fixed a bug that caused RockSim to ask the user to save changes even when nothing had changed in the .rkt file. There were two causes for this:
- a) Rockets with custom fin sets always asked about saving changes.
b) New designs would always ask about saving changes on exit.
4) Changed the XML file version to 2.
5) Fixed a bug that was caused by the check for support of the Barrowman equations. This was causing rocksim to crash when a new fin set is deleted.
6) Fixed an obscure bug in the engine editor. When creating new engines, changes made after cycling between new engines were lost.
7) Fixed bugs in the print engine:
- a) If multiple jobs were selected, then the graph output was garbled on some systems.
b) Fixed the pagination of the parts list report. On some systems the report would output infinite pages.
c) Templates were being clipped on output. There was an error in template placement with some print drivers.
8) Fixed a rotational position error in the 3D drawing. Inside tubes and launch lugs didn't line up with the 2D base view.
|
released: 10/27/03
1) Added a patch to the OpenGL offscreen render code. The offscreen renderer was crashing on some older Windows OS versions. In Particular (Windows 98, Windows 2000).
2) Added code to the simulation recovery system deployment system to prevent duplicate entries in the list of recovery devices.
3) Fixed the 3D rendering of Radial Angle for body tubes, launch lugs, Etc. They were off by 90 Degrees relative to the 2D base view.
4) Added code to save the 3D camera state whenever Export to 3D image is selected. This insures that the exported image matches what the user sees on the display.
5) Added code to store the Joystick/Trackball and Wireframe/Solid 3D viewing options with the rocket design. The main view screen and the component edit screen states are both tracked.
6) Fixed a printer bug that was causing clipping, and incorrect aspect ratios on some systems.
7) Fixed a centering ring mass calculation error. If "Auto calculate known dimensions" was not set, then the mass calculation was not taking the hole in the ring into account. This had a minor effect on CG/Mass, and caused templates to print without the center hole drawn.
8) ENGINE EDITOR: Fixed a bug that was causing unsaved screen data to be lost whenever a graph point was changed.
9) ENGINE EDITOR: Fixed a bug that was causing extra points on the end of the thrust data whenever a point was deleted.
10) Fixed the 2D Zoom In / Zoom Out logic to produce more reasonable zoom steps.
11) Fixed the drift to loss calculation for competition flights.
12) Fixed a bug in the simulation summary grid that could cause Rocksim to hang when adding new simulations.
|
released: 11/07/03
1) Moved the Launch guide length setting to the Launch conditions page. This data is now stored with the other launch conditions data.
2) Fixed a bug in simulation data export: If you selected a subset of columns to export into the CSV file, then incorrect data was being exported.
3) Fixed the color selection display in the 2D flight profile preferences screen
4) Moved the wind vector origin down a bit to account for the thermal rise vector display.
5) Fixed the launch guide angle error. This bug only existed in the 7.02 build.
|
released: 4/2/04
1) Fixed a bug that was causing the holes in cluster centering ring templates to print incorrectly.
2) Fixed a bug in simulation data export. The settings put in place to reduce the memory required to process raw simulation data were preventing all of the simulation data from being exported.
3) Fixed a bug in the optimal mass prediction logic. The method used to zero in on the optimal altitude mass could result in a negative mass being used in a simulation. This in turn caused the simulation to hang.
New features added:
1) You can now print out a transition template (shroud), instead of just a side view of the transition. This was a major request by RockSim users, as it will help make construction of custom rockets even quicker.
To use this feature, you simply need to print out the transition template from the print menu. However, there are a few conditions you have to set up prior to printing it out:
- The transition cannot have shoulder inserts specified.
- The transition must be set to "hollow."
- The transition shape must be set to "Conical."
These pre-conditions makes a lot of sense, as this is how you actually make a paper shroud. Note: That if any of these conditions are not as specified above, you will get the default "side view" of the transition when you print out the template.
- Rocket Tip: Do you need help in assembling your transition? Click here to watch a movie on how to make the perfect transition.
2) This new version also allows you to display texture and lighting effects. This means you can show decals on the rocket in the 3D view, and have the light source come from different angles.
However, there isn't a user interface that lets you easily accomplish this new feature, as that will require a major revision of the software. That user interface will come in version 8.0 of RockSim, which will mean there is an upgrade fee involved. But if you are willing to dive into the bowels of XML code for the rocket design, you can turn it on and have some fun.
You can read (free) article in the Apogee Peak-of-Flight newsletter that will give you more details on displaying decals on your rocket, and changing the light-source. Click here to download the issue now.
|
New Features added in Version 8.0
|
1) First Edition of a version that runs on the Macintosh (OS X v10.3).
2) Added Database editor to allow multiple parts to be enter more quickly.
3) Updated engine database to include all NAR/Tripoli/CAR certified motors. These motors are in a new .RSE (RockSim Engine) format that saves more data about the motors than the older RASP.eng format.
4) New 2D Flight profile screen. It contains smoke and fire, which give a better visual indication of how the rocket will actually fly.
5) New graphing package. This was a required change to allow for Mac version of RockSim.
6) All component editor screens were modified to make RockSim easier to use.
7) Print menus modified to make it easier to print just one component pattern sheet at a time.
8) Added ability to create Ring-Tail and Tube Fins in rocket designs.
9) Export 2D drawing in .svg format.
10) Added "Edit Simulation." This allows you to reload the motors and reset the launch condition to a previously saved simulation.
11) New Lighting editor - Lets you control the 3D image of the rocket.
12) Pen widths added. Allows you to make the 2D image more bold, which is helpful when displaying RockSim to a crowd using a projection monitor.
13) New version of EngEditor released with RockSim v8. Now stores the CG curve with the motor data. Also stores a comments field with the motor file.
|
Changes for version 8.0.0 (Build 5)
Released: Jun 10, 2005
|
- Fixed a bug in 2D rendering that caused a slow down in the rendering speed on some systems. This problem was seen when large marker sizes were specified on the main design screen.
- Fixed a bug that could cause a crash on some systems when plotting very long simulation graphs.
- Fixed a bug in the rocket drag analysis screen. Displaying the screen for designs using Cd override caused exceptions on some systems.
- Added a notification message that is displayed when the user clicks Cancel during a simulation.
- Changed the plot parameters so that graph data will always fit on the screen.
- The finish code on components was always set to "Polished". This resulted in higher simulated altitudes.
- Optimized the 2D rendering code to improve the rendering time for large CP/CG markers.
- Changed the RockSim startup code to display the registration screen on new installs. The registration screen in the installer was not always displayed by the installer.
- Fixed a bug in the parachute edit screen. The rate of descent was always displayed as 4 m/s when the screen was first displayed.
- Fixed the simulation summary display: Acceleration values were always being displayed in m/s/s instead of the current user defined units.
|
Changes for version 8.0.1 (Build 8)
|
- Fixed a bug in 2D rendering that caused a slow down in the rendering speed on some systems. The Qt library was using a very inefficient method to render text on devices that use a QPainter world transform.
- The default flight profile sprite angle step is now reduced to 22.5 Deg. This results in a 16 point rotation resolution. This was done to improve the sprite load time, and to prevent crashes on Windows 98.
- 2D Flight profile: The number of sprites generated for a given angle step size is off by one. For example: A step size of 22.5 Deg. only generates 15 sprites.
- Added Aerospace Specialty Products parts.
- Added Public Missiles Ltd. design files.
- Added Aerotech kits
- New Contrail Rockets engine data.
- Integrated the new licensing model and demo interface.
- Added code to integrate the new licensing model in the demo program.
- Enhancement: Added a setting for printing line width. Added a setting for relative font size. Both of these settings were added to a new Printing tab in Application Preferences.
- Bug fix: The simulation plotting screen now correctly displays the y axis line style selection.
|
Changes for version 8.0.1 (Build 11)
Released: October 25, 2005
|
- Fixed a Mac bug: The latest Qt library update introduced a bug on the Mac that would prevent component database selection screens from having active focus. This disabled features like scroll bars and keyboard navigation.
- Fixed rsupdate program report more error details on failure.
- Fixed a 3D rendering bug that caused Tube Couplers, Sleeves, Etc. to render as solid objects.
- Added Launch Site diameter to the simulation prep screen.
|
Changes for version 8.0.1 (Build 12)
Released: November 28, 2005
|
| | |
