Editing Parts in CRAFT Files

[Lee Harvey Teabag]

I'm working on building a plane that's a little bit of a Sukhoi replica. I'm trying to get all the parts aligned properly, and EditorExtensions has really helped with that. EE only allows center aligning (the V and H keys) on two axis, and I'm trying to align pieces on the third axis. I'm trying align two procedural wing segments. There will be a picture below, and I'm trying to perfectly align the two red lines (the edges of two wing segments.)

I've tried doing this via the CRAFT file, but don't know which lines edit the position on the axis that I want to edit. Can anyone who knows a little about CRAFT files help me with this?

Is there a mod that allows center alignment on three axis that I haven't found out about?

Thanks.

[peachoftree]

I don't know much about craft file editing, but couldn't you just attach the back wing directly to the front one and use center alignment from there?

[Xannari Ferrows]

The offset tool is your best friend. Just be sure to turn off angle snap.

[Zephram Kerman]

Yep. Offset tool. Also, the mod WASD Editor Camera might help by getting a better angle. But it's nice to know how to edit the file, too.

Well, my short answer is, "I used to know how to do this, but it's different now."

But I can offer clues. When you open your .craft file search for "wing", or if possible, some other word unique to that part. Identify the one you want by what's connected to it. It will begin something like this:

PART
{
    part = sweptWing_4290780552
    partName = Part
    pos = -0.1998991,3.101094,0.5299976
    attPos = 0,0,0
    attPos0 = 0.6204619,-0.0375967,4.481876E-09

It used to be simply the one line, pos = something, and the three values are X, Y, and Z in meters. Numbers with E- are basically zero. But the offset feature requires those two other lines. I haven't messed with it since. I believe pos refers to the actual location of the part, while attPos and attPos0 refer to where it was originally attached.

Make a backup copy of your vessel, and experiment! Let us know what you find out. The worst that happens is you make a silly mess and restore your backup.

Edited August 28, 2015 by Zephram Kerman

[Lee Harvey Teabag]

I don't know much about craft file editing, but couldn't you just attach the back wing directly to the front one and use center alignment from there?

I believe that's what I've done.

Yep. Offset tool. Also, the mod WASD Editor Camera might help by getting a better angle. But it's nice to know how to edit the file, too.

Well, my short answer is, "I used to know how to do this, but it's different now."

But I can offer clues. When you open your .craft file search for "wing", or if possible, some other word unique to that part. Identify the one you want by what's connected to it. It will begin something like this:

PART
{
    part = sweptWing_4290780552
    partName = Part
    pos = -0.1998991,3.101094,0.5299976
    attPos = 0,0,0
    attPos0 = 0.6204619,-0.0375967,4.481876E-09

It used to be simply the one line, pos = something, and the three values are X, Y, and Z in meters. Numbers with E- are basically zero. But the offset feature requires those two other lines. I haven't messed with it since. I believe pos refers to the actual location of the part, while attPos and attPos0 refer to where it was originally attached.

Make a backup copy of your vessel, and experiment! Let us know what you find out. The worst that happens is you make a silly mess and restore your backup.

I'll give it a try soon and tell you what I find.