adding multiple 'aspects' to a make asingle part, how can I do it?

[steedcrugeon]

I am getting my feet wet in with modding, I have made a couple of size 1 parts (two crew pods and a command capsule so far). I have scoured this sub-forum to no avail. What I would like to know is how I could put multiple parts together to form a single part whilst retaining all of there individually staged aspects.

The WIP part is an 'all-in-one' solution for returning 'Science'. it comprises a probe core (stayputnik type), a SRB ( approx. x4 seperatron), heatshield (scaled down for size 0, thinking about 80 ablator max) and a parachute (mk1 style).

I've written a config file (to follow when I actually get onto my home PC) which comprises many of these aspects and I can see already that I'm going to have issues.

So the question is how do I proceed? do I have to split this part into its component pieces for the user to reassemble (not my ideal) or can I package them as a single, multi staged piece? If I can how the hell do I pull it off?

Edited September 15, 2016 by steedcrugeon
Typos

[SpaceCommanderNemo]

That should all be do-able quite easily. I mean really, just look at the original parts and start copy/pasting.

Staging could be more complicated, but it might work itself out (?). Otherwise, you might be stuck with action groups or the smart parts mod.

Edited September 15, 2016 by SpaceCommanderNemo

[SpannerMonkey(smce)]

20 hours ago, steedcrugeon said:

So the question is how do I proceed? do I have to split this part into its component pieces for the user to reassemble (not my ideal) or can I package them as a single, multi staged piece? If I can how the hell do I pull it off?

Hi, are your intentions to import a one part IE, under one game object model, and then somehow split it into multiple components.  I don't think without some top class coding you could even come close and even then knowing the way that Unity and KSP and part modules all interrelate I don't think it's possible right now. That's if it's ever possible which i doubt . Your best bet is to make individual parts , or minimize the parts by combining modules in a lesser number.  The parts you have outlined however are already made by many as individual parts so there are plenty if not thousands of examples to examine

Edit, Also it's a fact of KSP the the more parts you have combined into one  the less popular the mod will be, KSP players really like sticking parts to together and many find out of the box solutions unrewarding, they'd rather build a craft with 200 struts than fly a RTF (ready to fly) creation. My advice is just do it the proper way don't waste time on something that will be to most mediocre at best.

Edited September 16, 2016 by SpannerMonkey(smce)
clarification

[Kurld]

@steedcrugeon What you are trying to do does not seem unreasonable. Did you try using the part with the config you wrote? You'll probably get more help if you will ask questions about how to fix specific problems.

[SpannerMonkey(smce)]

2 hours ago, Kurld said:

@steedcrugeon What you are trying to do does not seem unreasonable. Did you try using the part with the config you wrote? You'll probably get more help if you will ask questions about how to fix specific problems.

It is unreasonable as far as unity and KSP are concerned, GameObjects don't behave that way and never have. You can't split a game object up into parts once it's written into the game, it becomes a prefab once loaded, and please note the singular, One game object = 1 part .

Stop giving the guy false hope, and besides , it's KSP and there seriously is nothing new on this forum, if you can think of it , unless you're quite gifted with original thought, then somebody else has tried it, and if it could be done , done it, and if it couldn't it's just another of the 10.000 maybe good ideas, that can't be done, or on closer inspection are not that good an idea after all .

If you don't believe me start reading back in this thread and see how many ideas and requests have come to nought. The real killer though for some poor beginner mod maker, is when they're given ceremonious information that just results in them wasting hours on a dead end premise, many of these,in fact give up on KSP altogether. It's not hard to mod KSP, but it is hard if you start by doing all the wrong things and get beaten up and discouraged.

7 hours ago, SpannerMonkey(smce) said:

My advice is just do it the proper way

Ultimately it's easier...

[Kurld]

I don't think that's what he's trying to do.  Or, at least I didn't read it that way.

To me it sounded like he just wanted to have one part with a bunch of different part modules in it. Granted, none of what he mentioned sounded very ground-breaking, but he wants to do it, so why discourage him so harshly?

Maybe he'll respond and clarify what he's trying to do if he hasn't been scared away.

Edited September 16, 2016 by Kurld
typo

[steedcrugeon]

@SpannerMonkey(smce) and @Kurld In the radio silence between posting my original question and reading your response i have mulled over the plan quite a bit and had already reached the conclusion that you have reiterated about the multiple parts. Plus the more i though about it i realised that, exactly as you said, others may only want to use pieces of the mod. i have already begun breaking down the model into three component parts: the SRB frame with probe core, the mini-heatshield and the and a compact parachute to stack between the SRB fame and the mini heatshield.

its good to have had this time to think, it will make the components simpler (in theory) to produce but also i have completely reworked my SRB frame model as i wasn't happy with it after i'd textured it first time round in blender.

[Sharpy]

On 15.09.2016 at 3:44 PM, steedcrugeon said:

I am getting my feet wet in with modding, I have made a couple of size 1 parts (two crew pods and a command capsule so far). I have scoured this sub-forum to no avail. What I would like to know is how I could put multiple parts together to form a single part whilst retaining all of there individually staged aspects.

The WIP part is an 'all-in-one' solution for returning 'Science'. it comprises a probe core (stayputnik type), a SRB ( approx. x4 seperatron), heatshield (scaled down for size 0, thinking about 80 ablator max) and a parachute (mk1 style).

I've written a config file (to follow when I actually get onto my home PC) which comprises many of these aspects and I can see already that I'm going to have issues.

So the question is how do I proceed? do I have to split this part into its component pieces for the user to reassemble (not my ideal) or can I package them as a single, multi staged piece? If I can how the hell do I pull it off?

Start with

Put the "craft" together in VAB, "weld", and you have a good framework for expanding into precisely what you want - a pre-written .cfg that glues all the models like they were in VAB, gives the part all the properties it had, and when conflicting, applies the right solution. (sum of masses, sum of prices, average or lowest for thermal durability, etc.)

Also, read the mod's limitations on what can and what can't be done - in KSP in general. For example, your part can't have two lights, or two solar panels; RCS has serious limitations, and so on.

[note: VAB, not SPH. Even if you make your model in SPH, weld in VAB.]