.msh

Extension: Orbiter 3D Mesh File

Developer: Martin Schweiger

The .msh file is a crucial element in Orbiter, a space flight simulator, holding the detailed geometric data for 3D models. These models range from spacecraft and rockets to planets and moons, all rendered within the simulation environment. Beyond just the shape, the .msh file also contains crucial information about the model’s surface texture (UV mapping), dictating how images are applied to the 3D surface to create realistic visuals. Furthermore, material properties are stored within the .msh file, defining how light interacts with the model’s surfaces, influencing its appearance under different lighting conditions in the simulation. Understanding these components is key to creating and modifying high-fidelity models for Orbiter.

Opening .msh files directly isn’t possible using standard image viewers or CAD software. Orbiter itself is the primary tool designed to interpret and utilize this file type. To view or incorporate a .msh model, you’ll need to have Orbiter installed and then load the model through the program’s interface, typically within the scenario editor or vessel designer. Some third-party modeling software might offer limited compatibility or import capabilities, but they are not officially supported and may require significant effort to correctly interpret the data contained within. Therefore, seamless interaction with .msh files is intrinsically linked to the Orbiter software itself.