Getting Started

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Basic Rocket Design →

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The current User's Guide is very much a work in progress, any help would be greatly appreciated! If you'd like to contribute something, just hit the 'Edit' tab at the top.

In this section we have a look at how OpenRocket is organized, by analyzing in detail the structure of the user interface. We will also briefly mention the Example projects that are accessible from the File menu. After reading this section you will have a thorough understanding of how OpenRocket is structured, and will be ready to start designing a rocket of your own. If you already know how this program is organized, feel free to jump to Basic Rocket Design, the next section.

The User interface

The OpenRocket user interface is divided horizontally into four sections, the Main Menu (green); the Task Tabs (black); the Rocket Design, Motors & Configuration, and Flight Simulation Pane (red), and the Rocket Views Pane (blue).

Main Menu

Menu Item		Description
File		The File Menu is divided into five divisions by function, (1) file opening options; (2) file saving options; (3) import and export options; and (4) closing and (5) quiting options. - New allows you to start a new project, without closing the project that is currently open. - Open... allows you to open an *.ork file that you have previously saved on your computer. - Open Recent opens a pull-down menu of recently opened filed from which you may choose one to reopen. - Open Example allows you to select from and open an example project included with OpenRocket. - Save saves the changes you have made to a project that you have previously saved. - Save as... allows you to save the project you are working on to a new *.ork file. - Import allows you to import a previously saved Rocksim 10 *.rkt file. - Export allows you to export the project you are working on to a Rocksim 10 *.rkt file. - Export Decal allows you to export a decal *.jpg file (currently only the first decal). - Print/Export PDF allows you to select elements to print or export to a *.pdf" file from a drop-down menu; such as the technical details of your rocket's components, templates for your rocket's fin sets, or even the design of your rocket. - Close exits the current project (you will be asked whether to save unsaved changes); close also exits OpenRocket if there are no other open projects. - Quit exits OpenRocket, checking that you have saved all open projects.
Edit		The Edit Menu is divided into three types of operations, (1) undoing and redoing an action; (2) cutting, copying, pasting, and deleting components and text; and scaling the rocket and system preference.
Tools		The Tools Menu provides design tools which allow the user to analyze the effect of specific components, optimize particular rocket characteristics, create custom expressions for specialized to analysis, and a photo studio which displays the rocket in 3D with a variety of backgrounds and effects.
Help		The Help Menu is divided into three sections, (1) guided tours demonstrating the use of OpenRocket; (2) bug reporting and debugging tools to assist users provide feedback to the developers; and (3) licensing and version and other general information about OpenRocket.

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← Go to The User interface

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Task Tabs

The windows shown below utilize the A simple model rocket example included with OpenRocket.

Rocket Design
	The Rocket Design tab is divided into three sections, the component tree, component arrangement buttons, and component selection buttons. The components available in OpenRocket are divided into four classes based upon component function. These classes are assembly components, body components and fin sets (external components), internal components, and mass components (which include electronics and recovery components). Components are greyed out until it would be appropriate to add that component type. As components are added, you will see the component tree (on the left side of the window, grow with each component added. For a detailed description of each component, see Component Details.
Motors & Configuration
	The Motors & Configurations tab is where you select motors, recovery events, and stage timing. Motor configuration options include creating new configurations, renaming existing configurations, removing (deleting) configurations, and copying configurations. With a specific configuration selected, you may select (or select a different) motor, remove the motor, or select and reset the motor ignition timing. For more motors and configuration utilization details, see Motors & Configuration Details.
Flight Simulations
	The Flight Simulations tab is where you manage and flight simulations and flight simulation plots. From here, you can add new simulations, or edit, run, or delete existing simulations. Select a single simulation, and you can even plot and export the simulation results. For more details on ow to use these functions, see Flight Simulations Details.

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← Go to Main Menu

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Rocket Views

The windows shown below utilize the A simple model rocket example included with OpenRocket.

	The Side View and Back View are line drawings, similar to a blueprint that shows all of the rocket components and the placement of those components. Almost all of your design work will take place in the side and back views.
Side/Back View
	The 3D Figure and 3D Unfinished view allow you to look through the rockets exterior to view many of the interior components. These views can help you more clearly see the relationship between the placement of different components inside the airframe.
3D Figure/3D Unfinished
	The 3D Finished view shows you what the rocket will look like when finished. OpenRocket allows you to select component colors, inside and outside of outer tubes, right side or left side of fins, and even creating transparent components, all with or without decals (transparent or opaque).
3D Finished

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← Go to Task Tabs

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Become Familiar with OpenRocket

For new users of OpenRocket, before attempting to create your own custom rocket design, it is strongly recommended that you become familiar with the OpenRocket user interface and generally accepted rocket design principles by opening and looking at how an example is assembled, making changes to the example, and understanding how to simulate flights. The example designs are found here:

File → Example... →

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← Go to Rocket Views

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Starting a New Design

Rocket Configuration

To build your first rocket, start OpenRocket, then double click the Rocket label at the top of the component tree to open the Rocket configuration pop-up window. OpenRocket allows you to name your design, identify the designer, make comments, and create a revision history.

The default design name is Rocket, but that name can be changed, and a design name change also changes the name of the rocket shown on the component tree. So, rename your design and enter the designer, comments, and revision history information you desire.

Double-Click Rocket
Rename Rocket

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← Go to Become Familiar with OpenRocket

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Adding External Components

Now it's time to start putting together components to build the rocket design. The generally accepted way of putting together a rocket design is from top to bottom, from nose to tail. So, we'll add the nose cone first.

Selecting a Nose Cone

With the Stage selected, click on the Nose Cone button and the Nose Cone configuration window will pop up. Then, select From database... to open the Choose component present window. From here, you can select from the pre-loaded parts database. Select the nose cone shown below, and click the Close button, then close the Nose Cone configuration window.

Selecting a Nose Cone
Nose Cone Added

Congratulations, you've just added your first component.

Adding a Payload Bay

So that a few "appearance" can be demonstrated later, a payload bay will be added after the nose cone. To do this, with either the Stageor Nose Cone selected, click on the Body Tube button and the Body Tube configuration window will pop up. Then, select From database... to open the Choose component present window. From here, you can select from the pre-loaded parts database. Select the body tube shown below, and click the Close button, then close the Body Tube configuration window.

Add a Body Tube
Payload Bay Added

Adding a Transition

Transitions are most often used to connect body tubes with different diameters. But, a transition can also be used to connect two body tubes of the same diameter, as will be done here.

To do this, with either the Stage or Payload Bay selected, click on the Transition button and the Transition configuration window will pop up. The default Transition Configuration tab is the General tab. On this tab, change your entries in the circled areas below to match the entries shown. Then, click the Shoulder tab, and change your entries in the circled areas below to match the entries shown. Then, click the Close button.

Add a Transition
Change Specifications
Transition Added

Adding a Body Tube

Now, do what you did to add the Payload Bay, above, but select this body tube from the parts database:

Add a Body Tube
Body Tube Added

Adding Fins

The bottom component are the fins. OpenRocket offers four types of fins, Trapezoidal, Elliptical, Free Form, and Tube Fins. For this design, Trapezoidal fins will be used.

With the Body Tube selected, click on the Trapezoidal fins button and the Trapezoidal Fin Set configuration window will pop up. On your default General tab, change your entries match the entries shown. Then, click click the Close button.

Select Fin Type
Select Fin Type

Fins attach to another component, in this case the Body Tube. As circled below, the fins are shown underneath the Body Tube on the component tree.

Fins Added

Adding a Launch Guide

OpenRocket includes two styles of launch guides, Rail Buttons and a Launch Lug. Because of the diameter of the body tube, a Launch Lug will be used for this design. As with fins, launch guides attach to another component, in this case the body tube.

You should now be able to open the Launch Lug configuration window without assistance. So, open your Launch Lug configuration window, and change the specifications to match those shown below.

Launch Lug Specifications
Launch Lug Added

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← Go to Rocket Configuration

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Adding Internal Components

Selecting an Engine Block

Adding an Engine Block
Engine Block Added

Selecting a Parachute and Shock Cord

Adding a Parachute
Adding a Shock Cord
Parachute and Shock Cord Added

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← Go to Adding External Components

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Viewing Your Design

With the airframe complete, you can view your design in either 2D (as above) or three 3D views. The most commonly used of which are 3D Unfinished and 3D Finished
.

3D Unfinished View
3D Finished View

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← Go to Adding InternalComponents

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The main window's menus

We now analyze the four main window's menus, briefly explaining the function of each of the menus' options.