OpenRocket wiki - User contributions [en]

Downloading & Installing

2018-06-15T18:34:49Z

A Li: /* Ubuntu/Debian Repository */

<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[Introduction|← Introduction]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Getting Started|Getting Started →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>

{{UserGuideHelp}}

==2. Downloading & Installing==

__TOC__

OpenRocket is a Java application, which means that you need to have [http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp Java] installed on your computer before you can use it. OpenRocket requires '''Java Version 6''' or better to run, you can check which version of Java is installed on your computer by clicking [http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1 here]. If Java is not installed, that page should provide you with a link to download and install the latest version for your operating system. If that page tells you that you do not have a supported plugin, then you can still determine your Java version (on both Linux OS and Windows) from the command line:
<pre>java -version</pre>
If you see information about a specific version of Java listed on the first line of the output after that command, then you have Java installed. Otherwise the output should tell you which packages contain Java for your particular distribution of Linux. Some operating systems come with Java pre-installed, while others don't. The installation processes for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux are shown below.

== General ==

In general, OpenRocket is installed by following these three steps:

# Make sure you have the correct version of Java, and [http://www.java.com/getjava/ install or upgrade] if not.
# [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html Download] the OpenRocket application.
# Open the application and use it. On most operating systems you can just double-click the icon for the OpenRocket file which was downloaded, no further installation is required.

== Windows Users ==
Windows does '''not''' come with any sort of Java pre-installed. However, it's quite likely that Java has already been installed as part of another application, and you can check this by using [http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1 this page]. If you don't have Java installed, you will need to [http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp download] and install it before continuing.

Once you have Java, installing OpenRocket on any version of Windows is simple:
# [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html Download] OpenRocket to the folder of your choice.
# Double click the file to start the program.

That's it! If you didn't save the OpenRocket file to your Desktop, you can place a shortcut there by right-clicking on the OpenRocket file, mousing over "Send to" and clicking "Desktop (create shortcut)".

== Mac OS X Users ==
If your computer runs OS X 10.7.2 or older version, then it receives Java updates from Apple. Apple sends out Java with system updates, so it should already be installed. A common complication with Mac users is that most Macs have both Java 5 and Java 6 installed, and Java 5 is used by default. If you try to use OpenRocket and get an error, then you probably still have Java 5 set as the default.

To set Java 6 as the default:
# Open the Utilities folder (Finder -> Go -> Utilities). [[File:FinderOpenUtilities.png|none|300px]]
# Open the Java Preferences Application (double-click Java Preferences.app). [[File:UtilitiesJavaPreferences.png|none|300px]]
# In the bottom section of the window that opens, drag Java 6 to top of list. [[File:JavaApplicationPreferences.png|none|300px]]

If your Mac runs OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) or later version, then the updates are delivered directly by Oracle and you should not encounter any problems.

For more information on software versions and updates, visit [https://www.java.com/en/download/faq/java_mac.xml Java on Mac OS X] page of the Oracle official web site.

== Linux Users ==

=== Ubuntu/Debian Repository ===

If you are running a recent version of Ubuntu or Debian, then OpenRocket can be easily installed using the Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic (etc.). Please note that the version in the distribution repository ''may not be the latest version''. Alternatively you may install OpenRocket from the command line:
<pre>sudo apt-get install openrocket</pre>

or

<pre>sudo apt install openrocket</pre>

To start OpenRocket, simply select it from the Applications menu.

=== Official Version ===

# [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html Download] the OpenRocket application.
# Copy it to a convenient folder.
# Make the .jar file executable (right-click on .jar file, select "Properties", go to the Permissions tab and check the "Allow executing file as program" box).
# Start OpenRocket by either double-clicking the .jar file, or right-clicking the .jar file, and selecting "Open with Sun Java6 Runtime".
If the default is set to open with the Archive Manager, then right-click, select "Open with other application", then select "Open with Sun Java6 Runtime", and check the box to make that the default. In future, it should be possible to just double-click to start OpenRocket.

Alternatively you may start OpenRocket from the command line:
<pre>java -jar OpenRocket-14.06.jar</pre>

Or, if you are not currently in the same directory as the .jar file, replace '/path/to/' by the appropriate path on your system:
<pre>java -jar /path/to/OpenRocket-14.06.jar</pre>

----
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[Introduction|← Introduction]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Getting Started|Getting Started →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>

Introduction

2018-06-15T17:58:47Z

A Li: Added link to University of Helinski, to official about page

<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[User's Guide|← Contents]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Downloading & Installing|Downloading & Installing →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>
{{UserGuideHelp}}

==1. Introduction==
<br/>

== What is OpenRocket? ==

Welcome! [[File:Logo.png|thumb|800 px|right|The OpenRocket logo.]]
OpenRocket is an opensource model rocket simulation software. It was originally developed by [http://sampo.kapsi.fi/ Sampo Niskanen] in 2009 as part of his master thesis at the [http://www.aalto.fi/en/about/history/tkk/ <i>Helsinki University of Technology</i>]. If you want to have a look at his thesis you can download it from OpenRocket's [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/documentation.html webpage]. Being written entirely in Java, OpenRocket is fully cross-platform. Have a look at the [https://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/openrocket/index.php?title=Downloading_%26_Installing next section] if you need information about how to open the program on your computer. <br /><br />

OpenRocket is mainly intended to be used by all model-rocketeers who intend to test the performance of a model rocket before actually building and flying it. In fact the software computes accurately the aerodynamic properties of model rockets and simulates their flight, returning a wide range of technical results. <br /><br />

The program can be roughly divided into two sections: <br /><br />
- <b>Rocket design</b>, where you can design the model rocket you intend to build, choosing from a wide range of <b>body components</b>, <b>trapezoidal</b>, <b>elliptical</b> and <b>free-form fins</b>, <b>inner components</b>, and <b>mass objects</b>. During this phase you will see a 2D representation of the rocket you are building and various technical information (<b>size</b>, <b>mass</b>, <b>apogee</b>, <b>max. velocity</b>, <b>max. acceleration</b>, <b>stability</b>, <b>centre of gravity</b> (<b>CG</b>), <b>centre of pressure</b> (<b>CP</b>)) about your rocket, so you can have already a good idea of its performance even before running any simulation. <br />
- <b>Flight simulation</b>, where you can run one or more simulations of your rocket's flight, choosing from one or more <b>motor configurations</b>. Each simulation (calculated using the Runge-Kutta 4 simulator) returns a wide range of data about the rocket's flight. Unfortunately, for the moment a graphical visualisation of the rocket's flight is not available ([http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/getinvolved.html help needed]). <br /><br />
For more information about OpenRocket's features and a few screenshots you can have a look [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/features.html here].

== How this guide is organized ==

<b>Note: since work on the <i>User's Guide</i> is still currently in progress, many sections are still incomplete/empty. This subsection also explains the content of those sections, as it's meant to be a reference when the guide will be completed.</b> <br /><br />

This guide will try to explain, as exhaustively as possible, how to fully exploit all of OpenRocket's features. Hence it will start off at a relatively basic level and then analyse more and more complicated parts of the software. Depending on your level of experience and your learning objectives, you should either start reading from a specific section, or end reading at a specific section. <br /><br />

The [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Downloading_%26_Installing next section] explains <b>how to install Java</b> on your computer (or find out if it is already installed) and then <b>how to launch OpenRocket</b>. If you have already managed to launch the program, skip this section. <br /><br />

[http://wiki.openrocket.info/Getting_Started Section 3] gets you started. If you are an experienced user you should be able to get most of what is explained there on your own, but we recommend that most of you read it so that you can fully understand how OpenRocket is organized. <br /><br />

From sections [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Basic_Rocket_Design 4] and [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Basic_Flight_Simulation 5] you will learn how to design some basic rockets and simulate their flights, using OpenRocket. These sections are useful for both experienced and non-experienced model-rocketeers, since they basically show how to use most of the software. <br /><br />

Sections [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Advanced_Rocket_Design 6] and [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Advanced_Flight_Simulation 7] build on the material explained in sections 4 and 5. These sections are meant for experienced model-rocketeers, since they explain how to use OpenRocket to design more complicated rockets and run simulations with them. <br /><br />

[http://wiki.openrocket.info/Rocket_Analysis Section 8] is about analysing the rocket you have built and optimising its performance. It is suitable both for experienced and non-experienced users. <br /><br />

[http://wiki.openrocket.info/Custom_Expressions Section 9] is about <i>Simulation listeners</i>, i.e.; a way to monitor and interact with flight simulations while they are running. It is suitable for experienced users. <br /><br />
Finally, [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Simulation_Listeners Section 10] is about some extra features that have not been, until then, explained. Also, you can have a look at [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Component_Details Appendix A] for a full list of rocket components available in OpenRocket and their uses. <br /><br />

Good reading!
----
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[User's Guide|← Contents]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Downloading & Installing|Downloading & Installing →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>

Downloading & Installing

2018-05-16T17:10:36Z

A Li:

<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[Introduction|← Introduction]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Getting Started|Getting Started →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>

{{UserGuideHelp}}

==2. Downloading & Installing==

__TOC__

OpenRocket is a Java application, which means that you need to have [http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp Java] installed on your computer before you can use it. OpenRocket requires '''Java Version 6''' or better to run, you can check which version of Java is installed on your computer by clicking [http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1 here]. If Java is not installed, that page should provide you with a link to download and install the latest version for your operating system. If that page tells you that you do not have a supported plugin, then you can still determine your Java version (on both Linux OS and Windows) from the command line:
<pre>java -version</pre>
If you see information about a specific version of Java listed on the first line of the output after that command, then you have Java installed. Otherwise the output should tell you which packages contain Java for your particular distribution of Linux. Some operating systems come with Java pre-installed, while others don't. The installation processes for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux are shown below.

== General ==

In general, OpenRocket is installed by following these three steps:

# Make sure you have the correct version of Java, and [http://www.java.com/getjava/ install or upgrade] if not.
# [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html Download] the OpenRocket application.
# Open the application and use it. On most operating systems you can just double-click the icon for the OpenRocket file which was downloaded, no further installation is required.

== Windows Users ==
Windows does '''not''' come with any sort of Java pre-installed. However, it's quite likely that Java has already been installed as part of another application, and you can check this by using [http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1 this page]. If you don't have Java installed, you will need to [http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp download] and install it before continuing.

Once you have Java, installing OpenRocket on any version of Windows is simple:
# [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html Download] OpenRocket to the folder of your choice.
# Double click the file to start the program.

That's it! If you didn't save the OpenRocket file to your Desktop, you can place a shortcut there by right-clicking on the OpenRocket file, mousing over "Send to" and clicking "Desktop (create shortcut)".

== Mac OS X Users ==
If your computer runs OS X 10.7.2 or older version, then it receives Java updates from Apple. Apple sends out Java with system updates, so it should already be installed. A common complication with Mac users is that most Macs have both Java 5 and Java 6 installed, and Java 5 is used by default. If you try to use OpenRocket and get an error, then you probably still have Java 5 set as the default.

To set Java 6 as the default:
# Open the Utilities folder (Finder -> Go -> Utilities). [[File:FinderOpenUtilities.png|none|300px]]
# Open the Java Preferences Application (double-click Java Preferences.app). [[File:UtilitiesJavaPreferences.png|none|300px]]
# In the bottom section of the window that opens, drag Java 6 to top of list. [[File:JavaApplicationPreferences.png|none|300px]]

If your Mac runs OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) or later version, then the updates are delivered directly by Oracle and you should not encounter any problems.

For more information on software versions and updates, visit [https://www.java.com/en/download/faq/java_mac.xml Java on Mac OS X] page of the Oracle official web site.

== Linux Users ==

=== Ubuntu/Debian Repository ===

If you are running a recent version of Ubuntu or Debian, then OpenRocket can be easily installed using the Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic (etc.). Please note that the version in the distribution repository ''may not be the latest version''. Alternatively you may install OpenRocket from the command line:
<pre>sudo apt-get install openrocket</pre>

To start OpenRocket, simply select it from the Applications menu.

=== Official Version ===

# [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html Download] the OpenRocket application.
# Copy it to a convenient folder.
# Make the .jar file executable (right-click on .jar file, select "Properties", go to the Permissions tab and check the "Allow executing file as program" box).
# Start OpenRocket by either double-clicking the .jar file, or right-clicking the .jar file, and selecting "Open with Sun Java6 Runtime".
If the default is set to open with the Archive Manager, then right-click, select "Open with other application", then select "Open with Sun Java6 Runtime", and check the box to make that the default. In future, it should be possible to just double-click to start OpenRocket.

Alternatively you may start OpenRocket from the command line:
<pre>java -jar OpenRocket-14.06.jar</pre>

Or, if you are not currently in the same directory as the .jar file, replace '/path/to/' by the appropriate path on your system:
<pre>java -jar /path/to/OpenRocket-14.06.jar</pre>

----
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[Introduction|← Introduction]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Getting Started|Getting Started →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>

Downloading & Installing

2018-05-16T16:56:32Z

A Li:

<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[Introduction|← Introduction]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Getting Started|Getting Started →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>

{{UserGuideHelp}}

==2. Downloading & Installing==

__TOC__

OpenRocket is a Java application, which means that you need to have [http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp Java] installed on your computer before you can use it. OpenRocket requires '''Java Version 6''' or better to run, you can check which version of Java is installed on your computer by clicking [http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1 here]. If Java is not installed, that page should provide you with a link to download and install the latest version for your operating system. If that page tells you that you do not have a supported plugin, then you can still determine your Java version (on both Linux OS and Windows) from the command line:
<pre>$>java -version</pre>
If you see information about a specific version of Java listed on the first line of the output after that command, then you have Java installed. Otherwise the output should tell you which packages contain Java for your particular distribution of Linux. Some operating systems come with Java pre-installed, while others don't. The installation processes for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux are shown below.

== General ==

In general, OpenRocket is installed by following these three steps:

# Make sure you have the correct version of Java, and [http://www.java.com/getjava/ install or upgrade] if not.
# [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html Download] the OpenRocket application.
# Open the application and use it. On most operating systems you can just double-click the icon for the OpenRocket file which was downloaded, no further installation is required.

== Windows Users ==
Windows does '''not''' come with any sort of Java pre-installed. However, it's quite likely that Java has already been installed as part of another application, and you can check this by using [http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1 this page]. If you don't have Java installed, you will need to [http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp download] and install it before continuing.

Once you have Java, installing OpenRocket on any version of Windows is simple:
# [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html Download] OpenRocket to the folder of your choice.
# Double click the file to start the program.

That's it! If you didn't save the OpenRocket file to your Desktop, you can place a shortcut there by right-clicking on the OpenRocket file, mousing over "Send to" and clicking "Desktop (create shortcut)".

== Mac OS X Users ==
If your computer runs OS X 10.7.2 or older version, then it receives Java updates from Apple. Apple sends out Java with system updates, so it should already be installed. A common complication with Mac users is that most Macs have both Java 5 and Java 6 installed, and Java 5 is used by default. If you try to use OpenRocket and get an error, then you probably still have Java 5 set as the default.

To set Java 6 as the default:
# Open the Utilities folder (Finder -> Go -> Utilities). [[File:FinderOpenUtilities.png|none|300px]]
# Open the Java Preferences Application (double-click Java Preferences.app). [[File:UtilitiesJavaPreferences.png|none|300px]]
# In the bottom section of the window that opens, drag Java 6 to top of list. [[File:JavaApplicationPreferences.png|none|300px]]

If your Mac runs OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) or later version, then the updates are delivered directly by Oracle and you should not encounter any problems.

For more information on software versions and updates, visit [https://www.java.com/en/download/faq/java_mac.xml Java on Mac OS X] page of the Oracle official web site.

== Linux Users ==

=== Ubuntu/Debian Repository ===

If you are running a recent version of Ubuntu or Debian, then OpenRocket can be easily installed using the Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic (etc.). Please note that the version in the distribution repository ''may not be the latest version''. Alternatively you may install OpenRocket from the command line:
<pre>sudo apt-get install openrocket</pre>

To start OpenRocket, simply select it from the Applications menu.

=== Official Version ===

# [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html Download] the OpenRocket application.
# Copy it to a convenient folder.
# Make the .jar file executable (right-click on .jar file, select "Properties", go to the Permissions tab and check the "Allow executing file as program" box).
# Start OpenRocket by either double-clicking the .jar file, or right-clicking the .jar file, and selecting "Open with Sun Java6 Runtime".
If the default is set to open with the Archive Manager, then right-click, select "Open with other application", then select "Open with Sun Java6 Runtime", and check the box to make that the default. In future, it should be possible to just double-click to start OpenRocket.

Alternatively you may start OpenRocket from the command line:
<pre>java -jar OpenRocket-14.06.jar</pre>

Or, if you are not currently in the same directory as the .jar file, replace '/path/to/' by the appropriate path on your system:
<pre>java -jar /path/to/OpenRocket-14.06.jar</pre>

----
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[Introduction|← Introduction]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Getting Started|Getting Started →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>

Introduction

2018-05-16T16:52:45Z

A Li: /* How this guide is organized */

<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[User's Guide|← Contents]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Downloading & Installing|Downloading & Installing →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>
{{UserGuideHelp}}

==1. Introduction==
<br/>

== What is OpenRocket? ==

Welcome! [[File:Logo.png|thumb|800 px|right|The OpenRocket logo.]]
OpenRocket is an opensource model rocket simulation software. It was originally developed by [http://sampo.kapsi.fi/ Sampo Niskanen] in 2009 as part of his master thesis at the <i>Helsinki University of Technology</i>. If you want to have a look at his thesis you can download it from OpenRocket's [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/documentation.html webpage]. Being written entirely in Java, OpenRocket is fully cross-platform. Have a look at the [https://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/openrocket/index.php?title=Downloading_%26_Installing next section] if you need information about how to open the program on your computer. <br /><br />

OpenRocket is mainly intended to be used by all model-rocketeers who intend to test the performance of a model rocket before actually building and flying it. In fact the software computes accurately the aerodynamic properties of model rockets and simulates their flight, returning a wide range of technical results. <br /><br />

The program can be roughly divided into two sections: <br /><br />
- <b>Rocket design</b>, where you can design the model rocket you intend to build, choosing from a wide range of <b>body components</b>, <b>trapezoidal</b>, <b>elliptical</b> and <b>free-form fins</b>, <b>inner components</b>, and <b>mass objects</b>. During this phase you will see a 2D representation of the rocket you are building and various technical information (<b>size</b>, <b>mass</b>, <b>apogee</b>, <b>max. velocity</b>, <b>max. acceleration</b>, <b>stability</b>, <b>centre of gravity</b> (<b>CG</b>), <b>centre of pressure</b> (<b>CP</b>)) about your rocket, so you can have already a good idea of its performance even before running any simulation. <br />
- <b>Flight simulation</b>, where you can run one or more simulations of your rocket's flight, choosing from one or more <b>motor configurations</b>. Each simulation (calculated using the Runge-Kutta 4 simulator) returns a wide range of data about the rocket's flight. Unfortunately, for the moment a graphical visualisation of the rocket's flight is not available ([http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/getinvolved.html help needed]). <br /><br />
For more information about OpenRocket's features and a few screenshots you can have a look [http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/features.html here].

== How this guide is organized ==

<b>Note: since work on the <i>User's Guide</i> is still currently in progress, many sections are still incomplete/empty. This subsection also explains the content of those sections, as it's meant to be a reference when the guide will be completed.</b> <br /><br />

This guide will try to explain, as exhaustively as possible, how to fully exploit all of OpenRocket's features. Hence it will start off at a relatively basic level and then analyse more and more complicated parts of the software. Depending on your level of experience and your learning objectives, you should either start reading from a specific section, or end reading at a specific section. <br /><br />

The [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Downloading_%26_Installing next section] explains <b>how to install Java</b> on your computer (or find out if it is already installed) and then <b>how to launch OpenRocket</b>. If you have already managed to launch the program, skip this section. <br /><br />

[http://wiki.openrocket.info/Getting_Started Section 3] gets you started. If you are an experienced user you should be able to get most of what is explained there on your own, but we recommend that most of you read it so that you can fully understand how OpenRocket is organized. <br /><br />

From sections [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Basic_Rocket_Design 4] and [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Basic_Flight_Simulation 5] you will learn how to design some basic rockets and simulate their flights, using OpenRocket. These sections are useful for both experienced and non-experienced model-rocketeers, since they basically show how to use most of the software. <br /><br />

Sections [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Advanced_Rocket_Design 6] and [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Advanced_Flight_Simulation 7] build on the material explained in sections 4 and 5. These sections are meant for experienced model-rocketeers, since they explain how to use OpenRocket to design more complicated rockets and run simulations with them. <br /><br />

[http://wiki.openrocket.info/Rocket_Analysis Section 8] is about analysing the rocket you have built and optimising its performance. It is suitable both for experienced and non-experienced users. <br /><br />

[http://wiki.openrocket.info/Custom_Expressions Section 9] is about <i>Simulation listeners</i>, i.e.; a way to monitor and interact with flight simulations while they are running. It is suitable for experienced users. <br /><br />
Finally, [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Simulation_Listeners Section 10] is about some extra features that have not been, until then, explained. Also, you can have a look at [http://wiki.openrocket.info/Component_Details Appendix A] for a full list of rocket components available in OpenRocket and their uses. <br /><br />

Good reading!
----
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="float: left;">[[User's Guide|← Contents]]</div>
<div style="float: right;">[[Downloading & Installing|Downloading & Installing →]]</div>
[[User's Guide|↑ Back to Contents]]
</div>