[RESOLVED] ModuleDeployableSolarPanel - How to Use?

[Apollo13]

I'm attempting to create a solar panel part. I copied the following from the stock "solarPanels2" cfg. On the launchpad, my part shows: "Status: Retracted" and "Extend Panels".

I click the "Extend Panels" button and my panels extend. However, the Status stills shows "Retracted". Yet, the action button changes to "Retract Panels". Clicking this button does nothing. Also, the context menu window shows no power being generated.

I looked at AIES's solar panels, and its config file looks similar.

Here is the CFG I copied from stock. "panels" is the name of my animation clip in Unity.

MODULE
{
	name = ModuleDeployableSolarPanel

	animationName = panels

	resourceName = ElectricCharge

	chargeRate = 12

	powerCurve
 	{
		key = 206000000000 0 0 0
		key = 13599840256 1 0 0
		key = 68773560320 0.5 0 0
		key = 0 10 0 0
 	}
}

I found this thread, but it describes only the variables for this module. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/41368-Solar-Panel-Question

What am I missing? thanks

Edited September 16, 2014 by Apollo13

[raidernick]

You have to set a pivot name even if your panel doesn't track the sun. Then just set sunTracking = false and it should work. If you DO want it to pivot set sunTracking = true. Either way you need to define a pivot name.

You also need a raycastTransformName. This should be set to the name of the part that actually collects sunlight. It should be a plane that you remove the mesh render on.

Edited September 15, 2014 by raidernick

[Apollo13]

OK. I'll add those things in. But, why does the Squad "solarPanels2" not need those? They track the sun. The CFG in the OP was copied directly from the solarPanels2 CFG.

You also need a raycastTransformName. This should be set to the name of the part that actually collects sunlight. It should be a plane that you remove the mesh render on.

Should I set it to something else? Edited September 15, 2014 by Apollo13

[raidernick]

I don't know, maybe pivot and raycast default to a value if you don't define it. Like raycast used on squad parts is suncatcher. Perhaps that is the default name for that. I don't know what the default pivot name is.

[Apollo13]

I see in your US Probes pack thread, there are several different solar panels. I'm downloading the pack now to see.

I caught this in your pioneer5 CFG:

MODULE
{
	name = ModuleDeployableSolarPanel

	sunTracking = true

	raycastTransformName = suncatcher
	pivotName = suncatcher

	isBreakable = false

	resourceName = ElectricCharge

	chargeRate = 0.1

	powerCurve
 	{
		key = 206000000000 0 0 0
		key = 13599840256 1 0 0
		key = 68773560320 0.5 0 0
		key = 0 10 0 0
 	}
}

Edited September 15, 2014 by Apollo13

[raidernick]

Yes I made them, however they are part of the main mesh, not their own individual parts. I would not recommend doing this unless you have to.

MODULE
{
	name = ModuleDeployableSolarPanel
	animationName = Deploy
	sunTracking = true
	raycastTransformName = aura_suncatcher
	pivotName = rotate
	isBreakable = false
	resourceName = ElectricCharge
	chargeRate = 16
	powerCurve
 	{
		key = 206000000000 0 0 0
		key = 13599840256 1 0 0
		key = 68773560320 0.5 0 0
		key = 0 10 0 0
 	}
}

[Apollo13]

Here's a thread to what I'm trying to do:

Concept art. Three panels rotate 180 degrees; then, solar panels extend.

In your example in your post, you show "Deploy" Do you have a separate action for Retract?

Edited September 15, 2014 by Apollo13

[raidernick]

If these panels suntrack each will need to be its own part with their own pivot. This pivot should be an empty game object. I've never tried to have multiple panels with multiple pivots at the same time. I'm not sure this is possible with a single solar panel module. If they don't suntrack its as easy as adding a suncatcher object.

[Apollo13]

Each panel does have a pivot; I assume I pass that part name as "pivotName"?

As for "raycastTransformName "? Is that just any part? If I remove the mesh render (post #2), will the part still be displayed?

Edited September 15, 2014 by Apollo13

[raidernick]

No, you need to create a separate object(plane) specifically for this as it will become invisible once you do that. I'm still not sure you can multiple pivots on a single panel/part though.

[Apollo13]

OK, then. I'll give that all a try and let you know how it comes out, including the multiple pivots problem.

Thank you for taking the time here.

I just imported your pioneer5. MU into Blender to see your posts in action. I see what you mean about the suncatcher plane.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Apollo13

[raidernick]

Because the game doesn't support multiple suncatchers on a single part I had to improvise with that. Basically its just an invisible rotating raycast so it's always catching light as pioneer 5 has a 360 panel setup.

[Apollo13]

As raidernick mentioned, you MUST HAVE both of these, even if you do not use sun-tracking.

raycastTransformName = suncatcher

pivotName = suncatcher

Helpful links:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/38408-Rotating-solar-panels-(Unity-configuration)

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/52155-The-Solar-Panel-Problem?highlight=transform

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/41368-Solar-Panel-Question

Edited September 16, 2014 by Apollo13

[MacLuky]

On 9/16/2014 at 1:16 AM, raidernick said:

You also need a raycastTransformName. This should be set to the name of the part that actually collects sunlight. It should be a plane that you remove the mesh render on.

Whoha! that probably explains why my panel turned transparent! i've been flipping the normals like crazy to no avail. Thanks a lot (someone should make some nice video tutorials especially about solar panels and engines)