How to Change Command Modules

[Apollo13]

There are times when I've built a complete rocket using one kind of command module, such as a one-man capsule. Then, I wish to change out for a three-man capsule and keep the rest of the rocket. Upon deleting the first capsule, I cannot add the second. My only solution is to rebuild the entire rocket. This is not too bad with 50-100 parts. However, this would be ridiculous with some of the 400-500 part vehicles I've seen.

I must be missing something. Is there a way to change modules without rebuilding the entire bloody thing?

Edited August 15, 2013 by Apollo13

[Johnno]

I must be missing something. Is there a way to change modules without rebuilding the entire bloody thing?

You detach the rocket from the pod and put it aside (so it's still there but sort of transparent), pick up the pod, delete it, the click the pod parts list (or any other parts you may want as core part) and add that. It'll spawn near the floor of the VAB. Move it up and reattach the rocket to it.

Alternatively you can pick something else as the core part for your ship at the start.

[Apollo13]

You detach the rocket from the pod and put it aside (so it's still there but sort of transparent), pick up the pod, delete it, the click the pod parts list (or any other parts you may want as core part) and add that. It'll spawn near the floor of the VAB. Move it up and reattach the rocket to it.

I attempted that before posting this thread. Doesn't work for me. Just tried again.

EDIT: Just tried again, after this post. It worked. WTF???????

Edited August 15, 2013 by Apollo13

[blizzy78]

An alternative is to use the SelectRoot plugin:

- Add the new command part where you want it.

- Select this new part as the new root part using the plugin

- Remove the old part from the rocket.

[Mr Shifty]

An alternative is to use the SelectRoot plugin:

- Select this new part as the new root part using the plugin

Just to be clear, because it's not obvious when you're in KSP, to select the new root part you hold Left-Shift + Left-Control + click. This plug-in works beautifully, and is one of my top 5 recommended ones.

[iueras]

Sigh... yet another must-have mod to add to my rapidly growing list.

But seriously, thanks for that, blizzy78. I had no idea this existed. Getting it now!

EDIT: And when I went to get it, I discovered that sub-assembly loaders exist! Holy crap it's Christmas in August!

Edited August 15, 2013 by iueras
Christmas!!!

[Apollo13]

blizzy: again, you come through with the good stuff. Just downloaded/installed SelectRoot. And, given Shifty's recommendation, it becomes a MUST HAVE.

[HeadHunter67]

It's very useful - and it makes Subassembly Manager even more powerful.

I wouldn't worry about adding either of them -- they're plugins, and tiny by comparison to even a single mod part.

[sojourner]

A tip on using subassembly. Always save the "subassembly" with a root part attached. This will keep struts and fuel lines placed correctly. When you import the subassembly, attach it, then remove the parts you want to keep and delete the root as described above.

[EmanonP]

What constitutes a "root part"? I use sub assembly loader, and have the annoying issue where it loads with all the fuel lines and struts missing/messed up....

Thanks in advance....

[HeadHunter67]

Usually, the best root part is, of course, a decoupler or a docking port - something to which you will attach the rest of the craft.

As for the issue with fuel lines and struts, it's a known problem with Subassembly Loader. Temstar (creator of the Zenith family of lifters), came up with a way around that. See the second post in that thread.

[sojourner]

Usually, the best root part is, of course, a decoupler or a docking port - something to which you will attach the rest of the craft.

As for the issue with fuel lines and struts, it's a known problem with Subassembly Loader. Temstar (creator of the Zenith family of lifters), came up with a way around that. See the second post in that thread.

Yeah, he does it the long way there. You can just save it with subassembler if you include the root part. Save yourself all that hassle of copying files around.

[HeadHunter67]

True - providing you use SelectRoot to set the root part in the VAB before saving it as a subassembly, everything should be OK.

But "in theory" doesn't always jive with "in practice", so it's helpful to know the workaround - especially for big, complicated lifters.