[Spaceships] Design Spreadsheet/Form

SpaceGurper · 03-26-2009, 04:35 PM

I was wondering if someone with much more experiance then me could make an Excel or pdf (using livecycle) Form that can calculate spaceship stats.

I'm a noob when it comes to spreadsheets that include dropdown and link/calculate values in another cell.

I've created some but nothing as complex as designing a spaceship with upto SM+20 (1 Billion ton hull) (SM+15 will work too) Reason for the additional +5 SM is for building venerable dreadnaughts or mobile spacestations etc.

I know of the calculator at http://101010.org/gurps/ss_cost_calc.html? but I'd like something that I could use offline to make the spaceship design process quicker and easier. That also includes down grading and building your ships weapons.

I'm sure it's not an easy thing to do but I've just recently figured out how to make drop downs in excel and referencing values on a seperate sheet with the VLOOKUP formula.

My main issue is figuring out how I can reference multiple things like "if SM+5 = value" or "if SM+11 = value". Since the book is all scale based.

RyanW · 03-26-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceGurper

My main issue is figuring out how I can reference multiple things like "if SM+5 = value" or "if SM+11 = value". Since the book is all scale based.

Best way to do that is generally with vlookup and a table, rather than a long line of nested ifs.

If it's based on a simple formula, you could do a straight formula. For example, the cost of a standard reactionless drive where 'sm' is replaced with the reference to the ship's size modifier:

=IF(ISEVEN('sm'),45*10^('sm'/2-3),15*10^(EVEN('sm')/2-3))

Note: I use Openoffice, so there may need to be some changes.

thtraveller · 03-26-2009, 05:50 PM

The trick is to do the calculation in the lookup sheet, and index the result.

Tzeentch · 03-26-2009, 05:59 PM

I've built a spreadsheet for automating most Spaceships tasks (similar in concept and design to the one I did for Transhuman Space - http://tzeentchnet.pingslave.com/Transhuman.html. I'll take another look at the SJG game aid rules and see if it can be approved for release.

SpaceGurper · 03-27-2009, 12:45 PM

thanks everyone. I usually put all my tables on a seperate sheet to reference so that I can use the VLOOKUP formula with named field area.

I also need to reference the TL price differences and specifics. But the specifics are a minor thing.

If you can help me. that would be great.

I'll take a look at your THS sheets see if I can gleen any information/help from it.

Tzeentch · 03-28-2009, 01:17 AM

-- Spaceships is pretty simple to automate with a spreadsheet, especially if you confine yourself to totaling just cost, workspaces, and slot accounting. There are only two TL-dependent factors I can think of (engine mps/delta-V and control room stats).

03-26-2009, 04:35 PM	#1
SpaceGurper Join Date: Feb 2005	[Spaceships] Design Spreadsheet/Form I was wondering if someone with much more experiance then me could make an Excel or pdf (using livecycle) Form that can calculate spaceship stats. I'm a noob when it comes to spreadsheets that include dropdown and link/calculate values in another cell. I've created some but nothing as complex as designing a spaceship with upto SM+20 (1 Billion ton hull) (SM+15 will work too) Reason for the additional +5 SM is for building venerable dreadnaughts or mobile spacestations etc. I know of the calculator at http://101010.org/gurps/ss_cost_calc.html? but I'd like something that I could use offline to make the spaceship design process quicker and easier. That also includes down grading and building your ships weapons. I'm sure it's not an easy thing to do but I've just recently figured out how to make drop downs in excel and referencing values on a seperate sheet with the VLOOKUP formula. My main issue is figuring out how I can reference multiple things like "if SM+5 = value" or "if SM+11 = value". Since the book is all scale based. __________________ All these lasers and blasters. But still, you can't beat a slugthrower with hyperdense ammo. Last edited by SpaceGurper; 03-26-2009 at 04:48 PM.

03-26-2009, 05:50 PM	#3
thtraveller Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manchester, UK	Re: [Spaceships] Design Spreadsheet/Form The trick is to do the calculation in the lookup sheet, and index the result. __________________ Always challenge the assumptions

03-26-2009, 05:59 PM	#4
Tzeentch Join Date: Aug 2004	Re: [Spaceships] Design Spreadsheet/Form I've built a spreadsheet for automating most Spaceships tasks (similar in concept and design to the one I did for Transhuman Space - http://tzeentchnet.pingslave.com/Transhuman.html. I'll take another look at the SJG game aid rules and see if it can be approved for release.

03-27-2009, 12:45 PM	#5
SpaceGurper Join Date: Feb 2005	Re: [Spaceships] Design Spreadsheet/Form thanks everyone. I usually put all my tables on a seperate sheet to reference so that I can use the VLOOKUP formula with named field area. I also need to reference the TL price differences and specifics. But the specifics are a minor thing. If you can help me. that would be great. I'll take a look at your THS sheets see if I can gleen any information/help from it. __________________ All these lasers and blasters. But still, you can't beat a slugthrower with hyperdense ammo.

03-28-2009, 01:17 AM	#6
Tzeentch Join Date: Aug 2004	Re: [Spaceships] Design Spreadsheet/Form -- Spaceships is pretty simple to automate with a spreadsheet, especially if you confine yourself to totaling just cost, workspaces, and slot accounting. There are only two TL-dependent factors I can think of (engine mps/delta-V and control room stats).