Trouble with PartTools

[Travie0]

I'm trying to setup unity to create my first model. My first attempt I didn't use the correct version of unity and didn't uninstall the bundled Textmesh. I was able to see the parttools window that asked for the gamedata directory to be set, but the parttools script component didn't work which is when I realized I needed to actually read the instructions.. Following the instructions I now have the component, but it doesn't match any screenshot I've seen, there's not a write button, and the parttools window is missing. TextMesh shows its for .Net 3.5 but KSPAssets shows its for .Net 4.x seems like this would be an issue. The console shows an error trying to load TextMesh.

PLEASE HELP

[Travie0]

I tried using unity 2019.4.14f1 and different parts worked... but still not able to use it...

Tools > KSP Part Tools menu present
Part Tools window shows and reads unused KSP install ( had to create a dummy install with default GameData so it wouldn't throw errors)
The KSP > Part Tools component is missing
0 errors in console on load

[Travie0]

I found a recently updated github project that had unity & blend flies, and Textmesh & Parttools. I was able to open the project with 2019.4.14f1 and write mu files from it. I tried creating a new project using the packages from the working project, but that didn't work. I compared all of the project settings files and synced up the settings but couldn't get the new project working. Still not sure what I'm missing, but I was able to copy the working project, and clean out all of the assets to use as a manual template.

[wasml]

I can't say what your issue is but I had problems with the 1.10 Part tools and ended up reverting to the 1.9 part tools - I may be missing a few of the latest shaders but it does work (for me anyway). If I recall correctly I had installed Part tools but the part tool component did not show up in the Unity editor. I removed Part tools and reinstalled and the part tool component showed up but most of the shaders failed to compile.

As far as TextMeshPro goes - having not used it on any parts before I deleted TextMeshPro and did not bother to reinstall. Haven't had any problems yet.

[TythosEternal]

I'm seeing similar issues; specifically, the "KSP > Diffuse" shader (which seems to me like it should be low-hanging fruit?) is unable to compile. Unfortunately, the downloads on the official thread don't reference historical versions, so I'm stuck with the 1.10 release.

Here are my specific steps, from scratch (it's been a while, so I had to reinstall nearly everything anyways):

1. Create basic part model in Blender, save as .blend and mapped texture .png

2. Install Visual Studio 2019 with Unity Tools plugin independently (seems to fail if installed as part of Unity setup, possibly because MSVC Built Tools already exists?)

3. Install Unity 2019.2.2f1

4. New project (3d), open "Window > Package Manager", remove TextMesh Pro

5. Add "TextMesh Pro v1.0.56 - Unity 2017.3" .unitypackage file to project packages

6. Add "PartTools" .unitypackage file to project packages

7. From "Tools > KSP Part Tools", set GameData path

8. Add .blend and .png to assets

9. Instantiate asset and unpack prefab

10. Remove camera, light

11. Attempt to add new material "KSP > Diffuse" (note: under "failed to compile")

12. Inspect "PartTools > Shaders > Diffuse"; error message: "failed to open source file '../CustomUnityShadowLibrary.cginc'

13. 'Compile and show code' successfully hands off solution to Visual Studio, where it is able to build without any errors or warnings

14. ???

 

Some of the resources I've been using as reference for the above steps:

• https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/160487-parttools-updated/
• https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/192258-part-tools-problem/
• https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/197990-trouble-with-parttools/
• https://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Tutorial:Making_an_asset_from_start_to_finish

Some hypotheses/solutions:

• Solution paths may not be handed off correctly depending on PartTools configuration for source  code referenced by KSP Shaders
• Provide historical downloads of PartTools releases (e.g., 1.9, as per wasml's suggestion)
• Successful Visual Studio solution builds not "handing off" products back to Unity entities, perhaps a callback issue?

UPDATE:

There is a section near the bottom of the official PartTools thread top post that references "Previous Version; For the old Unity 2017 PartTools you can use this link: Unity 2017 Part Tools". Turns out, these are TWO separate releases. The download linked under "Previous Version" provides a file named "PartTools_AssetBundles_02_20.zip"; it's not obvious, but this CAN be used to provide functioning PartTools assets (including shaders that successfully compile). Not clear from the numbering if this is for v1.9, but I'll take it.

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by TythosEternal
Adding tutorial reference

[Stone Blue]

44 minutes ago, TythosEternal said:

Not clear from the numbering if this is for v1.9, but I'll take it.

or, since you already use Blender, just try using Taniwha's Blender Import Tool, and just completely *eliminate* using Unity and PartTools *AT ALL*, in your workflow... vOv
I know (other than IVAs), *my* making/dabbling with part models has been *soooo* much easier and enjoyable without Unity/PT in my workflow

Edited December 15, 2020 by Stone Blue

[BumbleBeeJBG]

I too am having issues, all of shaders are showing up "failed to compile"

[TythosEternal]

On 12/15/2020 at 5:40 PM, BumbleBeeJBG said:

I too am having issues, all of shaders are showing up "failed to compile"

I was able to get compiled shaders by configuring against the PartTools downloaded under "Previous Version" (filename "PartTools_AssetBundles_02_20.zip"). I have not yet verified if this approach remains compatible with v1.11, however.

[BumbleBeeJBG]

I got the old version working with the shader compiling but then I get writing errors for the .mu. I've successfully tested the Blender plugin, I guess that's what I'm going to have to resort to even though I'm not a Blender guy. 

[Stone Blue]

31 minutes ago, BumbleBeeJBG said:

I guess that's what I'm going to have to resort to even though I'm not a Blender guy. 

Tae a look at BforArtists... it has a Blender keymap, so 99% of tutes & plugins/addons for Blender apply to BFA. Link in my signature
Taniwha's KSP Blender Tool confirmed working in BFA, too

Edited December 19, 2020 by Stone Blue

[BumbleBeeJBG]

Oh yeah, I totally already did that the second I opened it

It of course breaks all the tutorials though, so they're like, "Hit Ctrl+A!" and I'm like, "nope!"