Read Me

blorbiter export script 0.4.2
-----------------------------

IMPORTANT

It appears that the Orbiter 2006 SDK no longer includes the DxTex.exe which the export script 
requires to generate DDS textures from the texture maps used in Blender. Until a suitable 
alternative can be found please continue to use the DxTex.exe from an ealier version of the
Orbiter SDK.


As far as I know the following features are implemented and functioning:
	
	+ A brief user guide to help you get the most from the script.
	
	+ A Graphical User Interface that allows you to control the script.
	
	+ The smooth option within blender is now supported by the script.
	
	+ The script can now generate DDS file from the Blender textures!
	  See the user guide for more details.
	
	+ All mesh data is exported with normals applied.
	
	+ Materials from the meshes are output with diffuse, ambient and specular colors.
	  Colours that emit are also handled, these match the diffuse colour.
	
	+ Material transparency is also supported, with mesh groups being sorted so
	  that meshes with transparent materials are sorted to the end of the mesh file.
	
	+ UV face texture mapping is supported, as is the "basic" texture mapping option
	  of applying an image type texture to a material definition.


Here's a simple demo of how the script works using my basic testing setup...

(1) Open up the MyShip.blend file.
(2) Execute the python script, saving the data to a file called "MyShip.msh".
(3) Copy the "MyShip.scn" file to the Orbiter scenarios folder.
(4) Copy the "MyShip.cfg" file to the Orbiter config folder.
(5) Fire up Orbiter and launch the "MyShip" scenario.

Fingers crossed you should be seeing the test scene in Orbiter!


This is very much a work in progress, and I'd be glad to hear your feedback.
You can contact me at http://sourceforge.net/projects/blorbiter or samtheeagle@hotmail.com