P3D v2 AI MCX conversion - Elevator animation code problem

[kanoasurf]

Hi

I am playing around with a conversion from a FS9 model to P3D with MCX.

The problem I have is that the elevators and the ailerons in the original AI model are down by default (see pic attached).

The standard animations do no work when I export into P3D, so I decided to code an animation for that linking it with the beacon light (if it's off, elevator deflected)

  <Animation name="My_elevator_deflection_pct" guid="428e6101-cbc7-4e6a-bef0-d1e22e9f2a9f" typeParam2="My_elevator_deflection_pct" length="100" type="Sim" typeParam="AutoPlay" />
  <PartInfo>
    <Name>My_elevator_deflection_pct</Name>
    <AnimLength>100</AnimLength>
    <Animation>
      <Parameter>
        <Code>
     (A:LIGHT BEACON,bool) 0!= if(A:ELEVATOR DEFLECTION PCT, percentage) 100
    </Code>
      </Parameter>
    </Animation>
  </PartInfo

But it doesn't work, I've chaded 0! for == as well.

I wonder if the problem is that the elevator is already deflected and the animation should brig it to 0 degrees instead... I don't know, I'm a bit confused.

I guess that whatever that works for the elevator, should be easily adapted to the aileron.

Thanks in advance.

Kano

 

[Heretic]

I doesn't work because your XML syntax is junk.

  <Animation name="My_elevator_deflection_pct" guid="428e6101-cbc7-4e6a-bef0-d1e22e9f2a9f" typeParam2="My_elevator_deflection_pct" length="100" type="Sim" typeParam="AutoPlay" />
  <PartInfo>
   <Name>My_elevator_deflection_pct</Name>
   <AnimLength>100</AnimLength>
   <Animation>
     <Parameter>
       <Code>
    (A:LIGHT BEACON,bool) 0 != if{ (A:ELEVATOR DEFLECTION PCT, percent) } els{ -100 }
   </Code>
     </Parameter>
   </Animation>
  </PartInfo>

You need to check the keyframes for the model to see what's an appropriate result for the evaluation. Maybe you need to change the variable as well.

 

[kanoasurf]

Thank Bjoern, I'll give it a go and report back

Cheers

K

 

[tgibson]

In the Animation Manager in MCX you can set the keyframe position at 50 and fix the control surface animations. That will export the model with the control surfaces in their neutral positions.

 

[Milton_Shupe]

Thanks Tom for a very civil and helpful response. Folks could learn from you.

 

[tgibson]

Hi Milton,

LOL! I do admit it helps to be very easy going, and to have worked in an education environment for 30 years.

 

[kanoasurf]

Tom, following your suggestion I lose the animation in the new converted model, is that what you were expecting to happen?

Bjoern's; I have tried your suggestion with the results that can be seen in the picture. I have tried some other options and with some I have achieved movement (but in the wrong direction, meaning deploying the elevator further down).

So far then

• If I use a negative value (I've tried -50 among others) the result is the one in the pic attached.
• If I use a positive one, the elevator goes further down (this is progress but in the wrong direction)

So far I only can concluded that there may be an option but the system is pushing us hard to find it.

Thank very much for the help so far.

Cheers

K

 

[tgibson]

Hi,

Yes, I was assuming you are bringing the model into a CAD program like GMAX or Blender. If not, my approach will not work.

 

[kanoasurf]

Hi,

Yes, I was assuming you are bringing the model into a CAD program like GMAX or Blender. If not, my approach will not work.

I wish!!! I have gave it a go and tried to animate specific parts in blender, then import them to the model converted to animate, for instance, the stering wheel in models were is not, it would be a joy... but I am getting too much in trouble isolating the parts in blender in a way that, when I manage to animate the part (which I have being able to do), export it in a way that, when imported with MCX to the model converted, it fits properly.

Cheers

K

 

[Heretic]

If a part doesn't work for me, i just lock the animation in place and live without it.

Unless flying in formation with the model, who cares about elevator movement anyway?

 

[kanoasurf]

I agree, I don't really care (sort to speak) in terms of flying, it is an AI conversion. I also lock animations when they do not work and move on in terms of flying.

However, I'm using it as a learning challenge (as many of the issues I come up here with). It helps me to increase my knowledge and tomorrow may help me to either resolve a problem for which I really "care" or allow me to go an step further. In fact this is to me the most important reason to try.

Cheers

K

 

[Heretic]

Not sure if it applies to Blender imports as well, but exporting a model from MCX as .obj and importing it into 3ds Max flips the entire model upside down, so to speak. In order to export any specific parts, I first need to mirror them vertically (in the Z axis). And flip its normals or polygons.

Although MCX has a "merge" function by now, I've never used it and simply added new/fixed parts to the .x file. Never tried animated parts though, so if you're really adventurous, study the .x and .xanim file formats and play around with them.
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc526973.aspx