[help] ModuleManager Syntax confusion

[Markelius]

So, I'm trying to write a modulemanager patch to create a duplicate of the Vernor Engine that's in the propulsion category and acts like an engine rather than an RCS thruster. I got as far as replacing it's rcsthruster module block with one written as if it were any other engine in the propulsion category.

My problem is, I've written what appears in my eyes to be a patch that should work, and yet ingame it does not appear in staging when placed, and cannot be activated and used by any means.

Here's my patch:

// Creates a duplicate of the Vernor engine and adds it to the propulsion category.


// vernorEngine (stock)
+PART[vernierEngine]
{
@name = vernierEngineRocket
@title = Vernor Engine MicroMotor
@category = Propulsion
@description = A VR-N1ER Engine, refitted as a microthruster for small craft instead of an LFO burning linear RCS port. It doesn't have much thrust, but it can be placed in a lot of places other microthrusters can't.


EFFECTS, 0
{
running
{
AUDIO
{
channel = Ship
clip = sound_rocket_mini
volume = 0.0 0.0
volume = 1.0 1.0
pitch = 0.0 0.8
pitch = 1.0 1.0
loop = true
}
PREFAB_PARTICLE
{
prefabName = fx_exhaustFlame_yellow_tiny_Z
transformName = thrustTransform
emission = 0.0 0.0
emission = 1.0 1.0
speed = 0.0 0.8
speed = 1.0 1.0
}
}
engage
{
AUDIO
{
channel = Ship
clip = sound_vent_medium
loop = false
}
}
disengage
{
AUDIO
{
channel = Ship
clip = sound_vent_soft
loop = false
}
}
}

!MODULE[ModuleRCS] {}

MODULE[ModuleEnginesFX], 1 {
thrustVectorTransformName = thrustTransform
exhaustDamage = True
ignitionThreshold = 0.1
minThrust = 0
maxThrust = 12
heatProduction = 0
fxOffset = 0, 0, 1.6
PROPELLANT
{
name = LiquidFuel
ratio = 0.9
DrawGauge = True
}
PROPELLANT
{
name = Oxidizer
ratio = 1.1
}
atmosphereCurve
{
key = 0 260
key = 1 140
}
}

MODULE, 2
{
name = ModuleGimbal
gimbalTransformName = thrustTransform
gimbalRange = 1
}




MODULE, 3
{
name = ModuleTestSubject

// nowhere: 0, srf: 1, ocean: 2, atmo: 4, space: 8
environments = 15

useStaging = True
useEvent = True
}
}

I'm pretty new to writing modulemanager patches (and modding KSP in general), so I'm not sure what I need to do to make this work. I read through the documentation on github but I don't understand what I've done wrong. Can anyone point out my mistakes so I can fix them and hopefully not make them again? Many thanks in advance. :3

[Mecripp]

Give this a Shot if it don't work will start a test install and play with it

// Creates a duplicate of the Vernor engine and adds it to the propulsion category.


// vernorEngine (stock)
+PART[vernierEngine] 
{
    @name = vernierEngineRocket
    @title = Vernor Engine MicroMotor
	@category = Propulsion
	@description = A VR-N1ER Engine, refitted as a microthruster for small craft instead of an LFO burning linear RCS port. It doesn't have much thrust, but it can be placed in a lot of places other microthrusters can't.


EFFECTS
{
  running
  {
    AUDIO
    {
      channel = Ship
      clip = sound_rocket_mini
      volume = 0.0 0.0
      volume = 1.0 1.0
      pitch = 0.0 0.8
      pitch = 1.0 1.0
      loop = true
    }
    PREFAB_PARTICLE
    {
      prefabName = fx_exhaustFlame_yellow_tiny_Z
      transformName = RCSthruster
      emission = 0.0 0.0
      emission = 1.0 1.0
      speed = 0.0 0.8
      speed = 1.0 1.0
    }
  }
  engage
  {
    AUDIO
    {
      channel = Ship
      clip = sound_vent_medium
      loop = false
    }
  }
  disengage
  {
    AUDIO
    {
      channel = Ship
      clip = sound_vent_soft
      loop = false
    }
  }
}

       !MODULE[ModuleRCS] {}

       MODULE
       {
        name = ModuleEnginesFX
	thrustVectorTransformName = RCSthruster
	exhaustDamage = True
	ignitionThreshold = 0.1
	minThrust = 0
	maxThrust = 12
	heatProduction = 0
	fxOffset = 0, 0, 1.6
	PROPELLANT
	{
		name = LiquidFuel
        	ratio = 0.9
		DrawGauge = True
	}
	PROPELLANT
	{
		name = Oxidizer
		ratio = 1.1
	}
	atmosphereCurve
 	{
   	 key = 0 260
  	 key = 1 140
 	}
  }

MODULE
{
	name = ModuleGimbal
	gimbalTransformName = RCSthruster
	gimbalRange = 1
}

MODULE
{
	name = ModuleTestSubject

	// nowhere: 0, srf: 1, ocean: 2, atmo: 4, space: 8
	environments = 15

	useStaging = True
	useEvent = True
}
}

EDIT- Forgot to change to thrusterTransformName = RCSthruster has to stay the same updated.

Edited April 26, 2015 by Mecripp2

[Markelius]

Still not working, the fuel gauges show up and so do the parts in staging, but, despite making noise when throttling up, the rockets create no thrust and no particles are rendered.

[Mecripp]

Sorry forgot to change the thrusterTransformName = RCSthruster

[Markelius]

Same problem as before, the engines make noise and burn fuel but create no thrust and no particles.

[NathanKell]

RCS thruster transforms use a different 'thrust axis' than engines do. Who knows why, they do. That means your 'thrust axis' is probably pointing inside the model, and thus not providing any thrust (since it's inside a collider).

[Mecripp]

This what you want ?

[Markelius]

This what you want ?[snip]

No, In that picture, the particles should be going in every direction pushing the thrusters into the ship. I want the thrust to come out the opposite direction of the circular black hole on the thruster.

[NathanKell]

Markelius: and I just explained you can't do that with that model. RCS uses Y and engines use Z. You will need to add a new thrust transform to the model, oriented correctly for engine use, to get the thrust to come out of the hole.

[Markelius]

And here I thought this would be a simple little mod.

[NecroBones]

Sorry to jump in on this a month late (I was googling for something else, and came across this).

One idea is that you can create an additional "model" in unity with the correct thrust vectors, and no visible meshes, and use the "MODEL {}" syntax for the part to load both the old model and your "model of thrust vectors". As long as the new thrust vector transforms are named differently, you can reference those in the engine settings and it might work.

It's kinda like part welding, except here you're just adding the new thrust vectors you need.