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scottluther1369

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Hi!
I am interested in purchashing RockSim and have a few questions. I want to build Phreds upscale screamer and I downloaded the Rocksim demo but it had trouble reading his file. Some of the parts in the Screamer file ws not recognized. I assume because Phred is using the current version. I don't want to bother Phred to much about his kit. RockSim comes up with an "unrecogonized part" several times and then quites. I was using WinME. If I purchase the lastest version will it tell me all the parts involved in the kit (like what to order) and how they go together? Also I can check this out on my own but since I'm here is there a Mac Version? (I don't think so).
thanks!
--Scott
Please cc:
[email protected] for some reason I have not been getting the "someone has replied"email.
 
I have had the same problem with the Rocksim demo. About 70% of the files do not function due to the "missing parts" issue. I guess Apogee got tired of all the people getting a free ride...

Good to know that it is not my computer. Now just have to scrape uo $100.00.
 
Scott,

I just downloaded Phred's Super Screamer RockSim file, and had no trouble at all reading it with version 7, which I got a few months ago.

With regard to parts, RockSim will give you part numbers only if such have been entered into the design database; I and many others use the default "Custom" designation when we insert nose cones, etc. that are not in the stock RockSim parts list. However, the dimensions are given, so you should have no trouble finding the part.

As far as telling you how it goes together, RockSim does not generate instructions, though it does show a very nice layout of the rocket, which is often a good enough guide for construction. It will generate fin patterns, transitions, and other such stuff. Here's a pic of the Super Screamer as it looks in RockSim (there is also a 3D view, where you can try out paint schemes and add decals):

super_screamer.GIF


And here's the parts list given by the program:

Sustainer parts
Nose cone - Custom, Material: Polystyrene PS
Nose shape: Hollow Ogive, Len: 10.500 In., Dia: 2.600 In.
Wall thickness: 0.020 In.
Body insert: OD: 2.540 In., Len: 1.250 In.
CG: 7.538 In. , Mass: 0.871 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.095284151086 (m) , 9.528415 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000224267331 (kgm^2) , 2242.673311 (gcm^2)


Body tube Estes - EST 3090 - BT-80, Material: Paper
OD: 2.600 In. , ID: 2.588 In. , Len: 24.500 In.
CG: 12.250 In. , Mass: 0.777 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.181350451891 (m) , 18.135045 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000724400453 (kgm^2) , 7244.004531 (gcm^2)


Foil lined 24mm motor mount tube Estes - EST 3086 - BT-50, Material: Paper
OD: 0.990 In. , ID: 0.950 In. , Len: 15.000 In.
Location: 0.000 In. From the base of Body tube

CG: 7.500 In. , Mass: 0.593 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.110453945024 (m) , 11.045395 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000204939352 (kgm^2) , 2049.393516 (gcm^2)


'E' Engine hook Estes - Engine hook - Standard size, Material:
CG: 0.000 In. , Mass: 0.053 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.000000000000 (m) , 0.000000 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000000000000 (kgm^2) , 0.000000 (gcm^2)


'E' Engine hook Estes - Engine hook - Standard size, Material:
CG: 0.000 In. , Mass: 0.053 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.000000000000 (m) , 0.000000 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000000000000 (kgm^2) , 0.000000 (gcm^2)


Engine block Apogee - 13031 - CR 18-24 ring, Material: Paper
Engine blockOD: 0.950 In., Len: 0.250 In.

Location: 3.500 In. From the base of Foil lined 24mm motor mount tube

CG: 0.125 In. , Mass: 0.045 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.007872173203 (m) , 0.787217 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000000079350 (kgm^2) , 0.793497 (gcm^2)


Ring - Custom, Material: 1/8 Aircraft Plywood
Centering ringOD: 2.588 In., ID: 0.990 In., Len: 0.125 In.

Location: 0.250 In. From the base of Body tube

CG: 0.063 In. , Mass: 0.110 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.017638802620 (m) , 1.763880 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000000966006 (kgm^2) , 9.660061 (gcm^2)


Ring - Custom, Material: 1/8 Aircraft Plywood
Centering ringOD: 2.588 In., ID: 0.990 In., Len: 0.125 In.

Location: 3.500 In. From the base of Body tube

CG: 0.063 In. , Mass: 0.110 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.017638802620 (m) , 1.763880 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000000966006 (kgm^2) , 9.660061 (gcm^2)


Ring - Custom, Material: 1/8 Aircraft Plywood
Centering ringOD: 2.588 In., ID: 0.990 In., Len: 0.125 In.

Location: 14.800 In. From the base of Body tube

CG: 0.063 In. , Mass: 0.110 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.017638802620 (m) , 1.763880 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000000966006 (kgm^2) , 9.660061 (gcm^2)


Custom Fin set - Custom, Material: Balsa
CG: 5.248 In. , Mass: 2.204 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.071347304766 (m) , 7.134730 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000318109019 (kgm^2) , 3181.090186 (gcm^2)


Parachute - Custom, Material: 1.3 oz. Ripstop Nylon (SkyAngle)
1 parachute, Shape: 8 sided
Dia: 28.506 In., Spill hole: 0.000 In.
CG: 2.376 In. , Mass: 0.008 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.037276287766 (m) , 3.727629 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000000322533 (kgm^2) , 3.225328 (gcm^2)


Bulkhead - Custom, Material: Aircraft plywood (Birch)
BulkheadOD: 2.588 In., Len: 0.125 In.

Location: 23.250 In. From the base of Body tube

CG: 0.063 In. , Mass: 0.276 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.016477811638 (m) , 1.647781 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000002121101 (kgm^2) , 21.211013 (gcm^2)


Eye Bolt Public Missiles - HDWE-EYE-1/8 - 1/8x24, Material: Steel
CG: 0.000 In. , Mass: 0.200 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.000000000000 (m) , 0.000000 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000000000000 (kgm^2) , 0.000000 (gcm^2)


Launch lug Estes - ESTES 2328 - LL-3/16, Material: paper
OD: 0.188 In., ID: 0.169 In., Len: 2.000 In., Loc: 15.000 In.
CG: 1.000 In. , Mass: 0.007 oz.
Radius of gyration: 0.014768527682 (m) , 1.476853 (cm)
Moment of inertia: 0.000000042118 (kgm^2) , 0.421178 (gcm^2)


I really like RockSim, which I now use for all my scratch builds. As with all rocket cad programs, it has its limits, but Bruce Levison here on TRF has developed ways to get around some of these. I do not think you will regret buying it.

That said, there is no Mac version - PC only, dude :D
 
Apparently Phreds file was created using RockSim version 6. I tested the file and it opens for me using versions 6 and 7 of the software. The files will not open with the demo version or the full version of RockSim version 5. I get the same effect where the program wrongly states, "this file was created with a previous version of RockSim. If you save this file, it will be save in the current RockSim format. Previous versions of RockSim will not be able to read it. Then I get the message An unknown rocket part ID was read from this file. The offending part has been ignored. After several of these messages I then get RockSim has caused an error in ROCKSIM.EXE. RockSim will now close. Is this what you are experiencing?

Since RockSim version 5 and the demo version are not compatible with the .XML file format there is no simple work around for this problem is the software versions are not backward compatible. I have attached a file that I created from scratch with RockSim version 5 for the super screamer. It should open under version 5 of the software and the demo version.

RockSim version 8 will be compatible with the Mac OS.

Bruce S. Levison, NAR #69055
 
Oops I made the fins too thick in the simulation above; attached is a corrected version.

Bruce S. Levison, NAR #69055
 
What a great response!!! Thank you all! I am very greatful. That looks like an awesome piece of software!
hTank you! Now just have to write down all those parts! I'm going to try the other version of the screamer file put out and thank you for the time you took (all of you) to respond to this for me!
--Scott
 
I messed up the fin thickness yet again. They should be 0.25 inches thick as per the original file!

Bruce S. Levison, NAR #69055
 
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