R o k L a b 1 . 1 Jules Hatton, RokLab Author 1997 ------------------- RokLab is an application used for designing rockets. It consists of a design section (the Workshop), simulation (Launch Pad) and engine facilities. An Engine Designer is also provided. The program is easy to use and if you ever find you are stuck or need help for something, simply press F1 and the on-line help is activated. This is an initial version and I would appreciate feedback in order to improve the software according to user needs A Windows version MAY be a possibility in the future, along with RokLab 2.0 which will be much more advanced than this version. Clipart is also included with this software. The clipart consists of nearly 150 designs of actual rockets which will form the basic design for a sport scale rocket. For more detail in your design and greater authenticity I recommend Peter Always book Rockets of the World available from NARTS. The files are stored as a Computer Graphics Metafile format (.CGM). Roklab 1.1 Features ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - General * Design and simulate Model, HPR and Experimental rockets * Up to 4 stages, either serial or parallel * Design and simulate engines and their thrust curves (editor also included) * Clipart of rockets in .WMF format. Ideal for scale modellers! - Workshop * Design any type of rocket - payloads, ejectable payloads, parallel or serial boosters, transitions, boat tails, different fin configurations & nose types, recovery systems, mass points, even give the rocket guidance! * Select your engine type from the comprehensive list * Drag about the shape of your rocket and watch the CG & CP move! -Launch Pad * Highly accurate simulation, with informative graphing and plotting * Environmental effects, realtime option, guidance & advanced weathercocking -Engine Designer * Invaluable educational tool - much safer too! -Engine Editor * Edit and create thrust curves, dragging and merged engine creation Many more advanced features are also available. To install Roklab: ----------------- Copy the file ROKLAB.ZIP to a *temporary* directory. Use PKZIP or PKUNZIP (v2.0 or later) to unzip the file Change to temporary directory Type INSTALL.EXE at the dos prompt. Follow on screen prompts. RokLab should now be installed. If installing over a previous version of RokLab 1.0, ensure that you erase the previous version from your hard disk including it's directory. You may encounter problems if you have a network - based machine, or if your computer has limited access, so: Use INSTAFIX.BAT. This will place RokLab into the default directory of C:\ROKLAB. If this also does not work (for example if you have a hard disk named D and INSTALL.EXE does not work), you can simply change the paths in INSTAFIX.BAT or unzip the files yourself. A.ZIP is the program files. These must be placed in the RokLab folder. B.ZIP contains data files. Place this in a \DATA sub-folder. C.ZIP contains example rocket files. Place in \ROCKETS. D.ZIP contains engine thrust curves. Place in \ENGINES. E.ZIP contains clipart files. You can place this anywhere, although \CLIPART is the normal location. Use PKUNZJR.COM followed by the zipfile then the location. Move the windows icon and readme.txt file into the main directory move c:\roklab\data\roklab.ico c:\roklab\ move c:\roklab\data\readme.txt c:\roklab\ After installation you can delete the files in the temporary directory Running Roklab after installation: ---------------------------------- Change to the Roklab directory cd ROKLAB type ROKLAB at the dos prompt c:\roklab>roklab Shareware: --------- Roklab is shareware. You may use it for as long as you like without registering. However, If you really like this software I would be very greatful for a registration fee of £15 pounds sterling (U.K.) or $20. Remember the more support I get the more likely I am to improve Roklab & make changes according to the needs of users. For further information, help or advice contact; Julian C. Hatton 66 Norton Green Lane Norton Canes Staffordshire WS11 3PR United Kingdom Tel: (44)-1543-274458