Post by Pedro on Dec 31, 2004 16:33:33 GMT -5
Having trouble figuring out how to create statistics for your new mobile suit design? Here's a short guide that might be of assistence to you. If you've got further questions, just ask, and someone'll help you out.
Engineering FAQs:
What is the difference between Mass and Weight?
Mass is how much matter is in something. Weight is how much force gravity is exerting upon a given mass. In a zero- or micro-gravity environment, things still have Mass (and thus inertia) but NOT weight.
How do I figure out my base, full, fuel, or weapon mass?
Just pick a number, they're completly arbitary; no one really establishes exactly how much any given weapon, shield, or beam sabre masses (though you're welcome to try), so the people who write the "official" stats for Gundam pretty much just pick a number, too.
But not at random. Some things to keep in mind: Your full mass is the sum total of your base, fuel, and weapon masses (Base + Fuel + Weapon = Full).
The Base mass is the mass of the machine when unfueled and unarmed, sometimes called 'dry mass' or 'dry weight'. (Full - Fuel - Weapon = Base)
The Fuel mass tells how much fuel is carried on your machine. (Full - Base - Weapon = Fuel)
Weapon Mass is the mass of the weapons and ammunition carried by your machine; in general, this does not include beam sabres stored on a MS, or Head Vulcans. (Full - Base - Fuel = Weapon)
How do I find my Mass Ratio?
The Mass Ratio is the ratio between the unfueled mass of your machine and the full mass. (Full - fuel = UnFueled; Full / UnFueled = Mass Ratio) Please note that there are no units with this figure.
Why might I want a Mass Ratio?
Mass Ratio is a rough measurement of how much fuel a machine has, and also, through some convoluted mathametics, determines the maxium speed a machine can reach through powered flight. But since the max speed isn't actually very useful (for one, once a machine reaches its maxium speed in space, it no longer has the fuel to slow down or change vector), it's better to use the Mass Ratio as a rough estimate of how long a machine can operate; the higher the mass ratio, the longer the machine will be able to function usefully.
How do I find my total thrust?
Add the thrust outputs of each thruster.
The RX-78-2 Gundam has two 24000 kg thruster, and four 1870 kg thrusters; 24000 x2 = 48000 kg; 1870 x4 = 7480 kg; 48000 kg + 7480 kg = 55480 kg; thus, the RX-78-2's total thrust is 55480 kilograms.
How do I find my accelerations?
A "Full Acceleration" is the acceleration of a machine which is at it's full mass. This is the figure given for mobile suit/mobile armor accelerations in official statistics. To find this, simply divide the total thrust by the Full Mass, then divide the answer by 1000, then round off to two decimal places, and stick a 'G' at the end.
Example:
RX-78-2 has a full mass of 60.0 metric tons, and a total thrust of 55480 kg.
55480 / 60 = 924.666667; 924.666667 / 1000 = 0.924667. Thus, the RX-78-2's acceleration should be 0.92 G; however, those with good memories will recall that the listed acceleration of the RX-78-2 Gundam is 0.93 G; the people who write official stats tend to round up no matter what the fraction is, unafraid to display poor math skills.
What's the difference between Fixed, Standard, and Optional weapons?
Standard weapons are the weapons your machine is normally equipped with. For the RX-78-2 Gundam, this list would include two 60mm head vulcans, two beam sabres/javelins, a shield, and a beam rifle.
Fixed weapons are weapons which are permamently attached to the mobile suit, such as head vulcans, some beam sabres, mega particle cannons, and any other built-in weapons. Not all machines have fixed weapons. The RX-78-2 Gundam's head vulcans and beam sabres would fall under the category of 'fixed weapons'.
It is not necessary to list a weapon under both "Fixed" and "Standard" weapons; one or the other is fine. If you don't want to write a "Fixed Weapon" section, then put any weapons which might otherwise be listed there under "Standard" weapons.
Optional Weapons are things which can be carried, but which are not normally used. The RX-78-2 would list the Hyper Bazooka, Gundam Hammer, Hyper-Hammer, and Super Napalm as "Optional" weapons.
((This is to help people create more accurate designs and no, I didn't do this.))
Engineering FAQs:
What is the difference between Mass and Weight?
Mass is how much matter is in something. Weight is how much force gravity is exerting upon a given mass. In a zero- or micro-gravity environment, things still have Mass (and thus inertia) but NOT weight.
How do I figure out my base, full, fuel, or weapon mass?
Just pick a number, they're completly arbitary; no one really establishes exactly how much any given weapon, shield, or beam sabre masses (though you're welcome to try), so the people who write the "official" stats for Gundam pretty much just pick a number, too.
But not at random. Some things to keep in mind: Your full mass is the sum total of your base, fuel, and weapon masses (Base + Fuel + Weapon = Full).
The Base mass is the mass of the machine when unfueled and unarmed, sometimes called 'dry mass' or 'dry weight'. (Full - Fuel - Weapon = Base)
The Fuel mass tells how much fuel is carried on your machine. (Full - Base - Weapon = Fuel)
Weapon Mass is the mass of the weapons and ammunition carried by your machine; in general, this does not include beam sabres stored on a MS, or Head Vulcans. (Full - Base - Fuel = Weapon)
How do I find my Mass Ratio?
The Mass Ratio is the ratio between the unfueled mass of your machine and the full mass. (Full - fuel = UnFueled; Full / UnFueled = Mass Ratio) Please note that there are no units with this figure.
Why might I want a Mass Ratio?
Mass Ratio is a rough measurement of how much fuel a machine has, and also, through some convoluted mathametics, determines the maxium speed a machine can reach through powered flight. But since the max speed isn't actually very useful (for one, once a machine reaches its maxium speed in space, it no longer has the fuel to slow down or change vector), it's better to use the Mass Ratio as a rough estimate of how long a machine can operate; the higher the mass ratio, the longer the machine will be able to function usefully.
How do I find my total thrust?
Add the thrust outputs of each thruster.
The RX-78-2 Gundam has two 24000 kg thruster, and four 1870 kg thrusters; 24000 x2 = 48000 kg; 1870 x4 = 7480 kg; 48000 kg + 7480 kg = 55480 kg; thus, the RX-78-2's total thrust is 55480 kilograms.
How do I find my accelerations?
A "Full Acceleration" is the acceleration of a machine which is at it's full mass. This is the figure given for mobile suit/mobile armor accelerations in official statistics. To find this, simply divide the total thrust by the Full Mass, then divide the answer by 1000, then round off to two decimal places, and stick a 'G' at the end.
Example:
RX-78-2 has a full mass of 60.0 metric tons, and a total thrust of 55480 kg.
55480 / 60 = 924.666667; 924.666667 / 1000 = 0.924667. Thus, the RX-78-2's acceleration should be 0.92 G; however, those with good memories will recall that the listed acceleration of the RX-78-2 Gundam is 0.93 G; the people who write official stats tend to round up no matter what the fraction is, unafraid to display poor math skills.
What's the difference between Fixed, Standard, and Optional weapons?
Standard weapons are the weapons your machine is normally equipped with. For the RX-78-2 Gundam, this list would include two 60mm head vulcans, two beam sabres/javelins, a shield, and a beam rifle.
Fixed weapons are weapons which are permamently attached to the mobile suit, such as head vulcans, some beam sabres, mega particle cannons, and any other built-in weapons. Not all machines have fixed weapons. The RX-78-2 Gundam's head vulcans and beam sabres would fall under the category of 'fixed weapons'.
It is not necessary to list a weapon under both "Fixed" and "Standard" weapons; one or the other is fine. If you don't want to write a "Fixed Weapon" section, then put any weapons which might otherwise be listed there under "Standard" weapons.
Optional Weapons are things which can be carried, but which are not normally used. The RX-78-2 would list the Hyper Bazooka, Gundam Hammer, Hyper-Hammer, and Super Napalm as "Optional" weapons.
((This is to help people create more accurate designs and no, I didn't do this.))