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MSFS blender animation issue after .dae export via MCX

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84
Hi Arno,
With the agreement of an author, I proceed to the adaptation of an FSX model for MSFS.
I currently have an unsolvable problem in blender after exporting the mdl to dae via MCX.
The file opened in MCX is correct, the right and left legs of the main gear are displayed correctly.
When opening the .dae file in blender, the legs are incorrectly positioned and it is impossible for me to replace them and reproduce their animations correctly.
Can you tell me how to proceed?

Many thanks

In MCX :
Jean
F1_MCX.jpg

F1_MCX2.jpg


dae file importation in blender :

F1_Blender_dae.jpg
 

=rk=

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I suggest you try the same procedure using the stable release of MCX. Sometimes we encounter transformational discrepancies with the development release. You probably already understand that the animations will not transfer through the Collada format. The biggest issue in that regard, imo, will be overlapping parts, like suspension oleos and torque links. I see some linkages there, that will be a fun challenge, but if you're proficient in Blender, it should be very doable.
 
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84
Ok Rick,
I will try with de stable release.

Yes, i know for the animations not transfering though the Collada format.
the front gear did not pose too many problems and works after adding animations.
These animations are complex: they combine distinct rotational movements on the different parts of the leg

Edit : bad news: same result with the stable version :banghead:
:banghead:
 
Last edited:
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The most difficult thing in the correct adaptation of models is the initial location of the axes and pivots in the main model and hierarchy. In the mdl model for old models, they are located so that the Y axis looks towards the nose of the model in MSFS, it is initially deployed. Also, parts in the mdl and animation hierarchy can have objects with inverted axes and transformation pivots not reset to zero. Also, many difficulties arise with mirrored in the 3D editor and inverted parts. The worst thing in this situation is that all this is stored in the model and objects and it is really possible to change it only in the source code. Another bad point is the fact that even if you manage to change or add animation in the process and do it right, then with a large number of changes, the entire structure can scatter at any moment. This is not a problem with MCX, it is the model itself that is built in the editor in this way, or even possible errors in it are laid down and remembered initially from the source.

To build animation and use it in the MSFS gltf model, in order to avoid nuances, I would recommend the entire model, the objects of their axis, to be completely built and corrected directly in the 3D editor Blender or 3D MAX. Then excesses with memorized positions of the axes or the initial coordinates of the animation will not occur.
 
Messages
84
The most difficult thing in the correct adaptation of models is the initial location of the axes and pivots in the main model and hierarchy. In the mdl model for old models, they are located so that the Y axis looks towards the nose of the model in MSFS, it is initially deployed. Also, parts in the mdl and animation hierarchy can have objects with inverted axes and transformation pivots not reset to zero. Also, many difficulties arise with mirrored in the 3D editor and inverted parts. The worst thing in this situation is that all this is stored in the model and objects and it is really possible to change it only in the source code. Another bad point is the fact that even if you manage to change or add animation in the process and do it right, then with a large number of changes, the entire structure can scatter at any moment. This is not a problem with MCX, it is the model itself that is built in the editor in this way, or even possible errors in it are laid down and remembered initially from the source.

To build animation and use it in the MSFS gltf model, in order to avoid nuances, I would recommend the entire model, the objects of their axis, to be completely built and corrected directly in the 3D editor Blender or 3D MAX. Then excesses with memorized positions of the axes or the initial coordinates of the animation will not occur.
Yess, you are right, it must be due to the pivots that will have to be redone.
The animations of other parts had to be redone with other values of positions and rotations.
The only ones that remain wayward are those damn train legs.
Starting tomorrow, I'll see the whole thing again.
Jean
 

arno

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Hi,

As MCX does not write the animations to the DAE format, things like pivots and such are indeed lost on the export. It might even be that the gear is combined with other parts if they use the same material. So you would have to redo the entire animation indeed.
 
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Hi

Yes Arno, the problem being that, for example, the nose gear has all its parts correctly assembled (of course not animated) when exported to dae.
In this case, the reproduction of the animations is "easy".
The main trains have parts that are no longer in place and there, it becomes very difficult to redo the animations identically.
I separated the parts, then assigning them new origin points and reproducing the animations as best as possible.
But impossible to take back the original ones.

All other moving parts of the aircraft lined up correctly in dae, except the right and left landing gear.
 

arno

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That's interesting. The DAE exporter should remove the animations before exporting, but that should not cause displacement of parts.
 
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I just checked the dae.
In fact all the pieces are well placed, but badly oriented, with the exception of 3 pieces.

main_gear.jpg
 
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