Brian Huisman

PlanetWerks 2 - Now Available!

Monday, 19. November 2007, 14:31:22

facts, widget, opera, planetwerks, astronomy, planets, planetarium, science, space

Four months in the re-making, PlanetWerks 2 is now available for download from widgets.opera.com.

PlanetWerks 2 is a major overhaul of the previous version which only supported very basic controls and orbit motions. This new version now supports orientation-accurate eccentricity and inclines, which means that objects in PlanetWerks 2 orbit the sun the same way they do in the full-size solar system!

New objects have been added, such as Eris, Sedna, Orcus, Quaoar, Ixion and Varuna. Also, the major planetary satellites have been added: Ganymede, Titan, Callisto, Luna, Io, Europa, Triton, Rhea, Titania, Oberon, Iapetus, Dione, Tethys, Umbriel, Ariel and Charon.

In PlanetWerks 2, you can now switch the view to a linear scale model, so you can see just how vast the solar system really is. And if things are just too hard to see in this mode, just activate the planetoid finder [F] to help you find things quickly! Then, once you've found your favourite celetial object, four levels of zoom and rotation precision help you zero in on those great views.

Many other small aesthetic improvments combine to create a truly unique astronomical experience! Works best in the new Opera 9.5 betas. Give PlanetWerks 2 a spin

today!

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Comments

Ramunas # 19. November 2007, 17:54

Finally! Great work

Kite Geek # 26. November 2007, 20:33

I saw this online while looking at physics simulation programs...

That image you have looks great. Can you tell me what system requirments are needed... I am using a 600mhz p3 gateway w/320mb ram and 16mb of video... O,o Will it werk on my machine. And I like the take a spin part,

GreyWyvern # 26. November 2007, 21:31

I don't know if it will work so well on a computer with those specs, but there is really only one sure way to find out

Download it and try it yourself!

I'm interested to know how you found the page. Are there physics pages out there linking to PlanetWerks?

Kite Geek # 26. November 2007, 21:35

Uhm I think so. More like CAD software sites and such. But I was looking to simulate forces on metal so my actual search may have been broader than I thought.

I will check it out. It looks really good.

If I locate the one(s) that hooked me to it. I will be happy to bookmarkthen amd share then with you.

It sounds like maybe you are one of the creators of it?
If so that ROCKS.

If not it rocks that you like this kind of stuff also.

Yes links to it are found in other sites I have been to.

I just saw the Widgets post and it is the same thing. Nice work.

Nice to meet you.

Kite Geek # 26. November 2007, 21:40

DUUUUUDE WOW man this is freaking AWESOME stuff.

I will locate some of the sites for yah. I am into allsorts of this kinds of stuff. Even if I don't code it.

If you decide to check it out also is a free to own and play online game... You may know of it. Allegiance. While it is a silly game it is cool that it takes place all in space. For those times you need to take a break from things.

Great widget!

SqueakeyCat # 6. December 2007, 16:08

how do u switch between linear view and the other view...and may i add you to my friends list so that i can come back and ask more questions about your widgets

GreyWyvern # 6. December 2007, 16:11

All linear/power-law switches (as well as other stuff) are in the Options menu. Click "Options" in the upper-right menu bar. Note that PlanetWerks starts out in power-law mode to begin with.

You are perfectly welcome to add me to your friends list

SqueakeyCat # 9. December 2007, 02:50

ty for letting me add u.

and since i posted that message to you, i had to reformat my computer, which means i now have to re d/l the PlanetWerks2 widget, but i don't mind. it gives me something to do besides play games in pogo all day.