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P3D v4 Can a Person.... Airplane MDL file... MCX..... (Arno)

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Hey all..

Can I go into a MDL file with MCX and find the parts Prop1 and change them to animation Prop0?

To do this simple procedure in Max and the SDK pack would take hours (for several variants and their visibility settings, etc, etc, etc. This.... If it could be done, would save me a ton of time.

But.... I do not know if its possible, if you can reassign parts 'animation labels' in an airplane MDL file.

This would be for V4.4.


Bill
 
I have found out how to change the Animation assignments, but still having some issues.

When I change the assignment of Prop1 slow to Prop0 slow, the prop no longer animates. Also, all three props, blurred, still, and slow, are all visible at once, where they should be visible in their states, such as still prop is visible within x-RPM, etc, etc.

How does one verify animation 0-100?
How does one set Visibility on a part? I have not found an icon on MCX that shows Visibility settings or wizards, etc. Is it in a special wizard of a specific name?

Also, when you do these, you do not hit a 'save MDL' button somewhere, do you? I noticed I changed all my animations (apparently) but they do not work. I am guessing perhaps I did something wrong, wondered how to do that.

On my first go, I used 'Assign Animation'. Second go around, I tried 'Fix Animation'. This kills the animation, the part is no longer found.

Also... Can you select parts in the MDL? Or are the names all gone? Can you only find a part via animation?
 
My humble apologies. I didnt know this had a manual. I have located it and using it. Sorry to be a bother. I have used this for ages and only now found out it has a manual. goodness...
 
Ok, I do not find a way to change a parts visibility setting.

Can I get a confirmation on this?
 
Ok, found that too... :)

You can change out the visibility sections (or see them) in the Hierarchy.

The props are still not animating though. They are changed from prop1 to prop0, and animation points are all still there, animation call zones (sections showing rotation) are all good, showing correct animation (prop0_xxx).

Just doesnt work. :(

So I may have to go into the model in Max afterall. I had hoped this could save me a day of work.
 
How do you save Hierarchy changes?

When I make changes, I can re-open the MDL file and Hierarchy changes (like to visibility, animations) are still the old settings. Do you need to export the model? Or is there way to save it as is?
 
Ok... Done. :) And.... Success.

You 'do' indeed have to export the MDL when changing things around such as animation labels and visibility changes on an aircraft model.

Exported lovely... All working proper (that I can see).

You can delete this thread if you like, or keep it for others in the future that might come to this issue.

When exporting, it uses the P3D V4 SDK which is what I export with for the V4 version. I use V1.4 for FSX exports.

Nice to see that second prop spinning again.

I still have to reset my visible distances (boxes) in Model Tweaker. This saves me having to do tons of exports in Max, keeping them all proper. I have 3 planes, each with interiors, and they are all variants with different parts. A pain to do all the various updates and things. This is only a temp fix because they (lockheed martin) took out a config string for secondary props on a single engine. (Kittyhawk Wright Flyer code from FS2004 still available in the configs. Good for things like a Bugatti with opposite turning props, etc. In my case, its a joined electric set of motors, coupled for safety (drive shaft) with fans (props) at each wingtip. Tow engines wouldnt cut it when they kick in from idle as idle is 'engine off'.
 
Hi Bill, didn't see your post before as it's not on the MCX forum. But glad you got it working.
 
Its so awesome that we can go in and do micro surgery on these MDL files. That is brilliant tech, Arno. Salute!
 
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