I have started with a simple goal for now, model the crafts and locations to dynamically generate the Explorer I mission, not necessarily to real life spec. But to a decently realistic and good looking level of detail. To this end, I am working on modelling the Jupiter-C launch vehicle using correct dimensions weights etc. I will use this to create a pretty basic simulation in XNA and build on it adding stuff like the engine sounds I am also working on Here is a preview of some of the stuff I have coming

Audio:
The audio was created in Audacity using a high pressure cigarette lighter as the base sound, then I pretty much massaged it down a bit to get a nice roar. The start just uses reverb and amplitude changes to give the feeling of that initial surge at rocket startup. Pretty simple sounds to create so far. Kinda fun to be playing with audio again .
Engine Start
Engine Run

Images:

Jupiter-C RocketDyne Booster Tail Section

For fellow BARIS lovers, the game has been open-sourced and can be found here

                          

JMonkey and JME physicis are pretty cool tools, for Java. The game/graphics engine is very well featured and the physics engine seems to be the same. They use jinput and LWJGL and provide very simple and useable starting points for creating games. I very much like both of these projects. C++ will always be the king of speed but Java doesn’t do that badly anymore.

Since I have been weaned from the high cost 3DSMAX and Poser, I have been using Blender. Blender has served me very well, it is an excellent tool. It provides functionality that you would otherwise have to pay high prices for. The place I have lacked here is in my ability to create good looking humanoids. Enter MakeHuman, this tool may not be as deep as Poser is but I really like the models it produces. The project seems to be heading towards a good place and I like it alot.

These tools are ecellent, and I have played with them quite a bit in the last two weeks. I am looking forward to finishing my demo now.