Docking ring

[ThirdHorseman]

I am trying to mod an existing part to give it docking port functionality. I am using the existing TR-2V Stack Decoupler model, scaling it up, and trying to use it as a docking ring to put on the end of a standard Structural Fuselage part. I thought I had the part.cfg file correct, but I'm not getting any docking functions in game.

When checking the debug console I'm seeing a warning message "No node transform found with name dockingNode". I assume that is because the TR-2V model doesn't have a node named "dockingNode", correct? So the only way to fix this is to open the model in Blender, name a node, and then reconvert back to a MU model file?

If that's the case then I'll just model my own docking ring, but I was hoping it was easier to just take an existing part and add the MODULE component in the part.cfg.

Am I correct in my assessment? Thanks!

[MOARdV]

You should only need to add the MODULE component, from what I've seen. For instance:

MODULE
{
	name = ModuleDockingNode
	referenceAttachNode = top
	nodeType = size1
}

This should make a part that acts as a 1.25m docking port, using the node "top" as the location of the docking port. "top" refers to node_stack_top in the cfg file. If you're using dockingNode as your node name, then presumably you have a node_stack_dockingNode in your cfg file?

[PringleMan]

I am trying to mod an existing part to give it docking port functionality. I am using the existing TR-2V Stack Decoupler model, scaling it up, and trying to use it as a docking ring to put on the end of a standard Structural Fuselage part. I thought I had the part.cfg file correct, but I'm not getting any docking functions in game.

When checking the debug console I'm seeing a warning message "No node transform found with name dockingNode". I assume that is because the TR-2V model doesn't have a node named "dockingNode", correct? So the only way to fix this is to open the model in Blender, name a node, and then reconvert back to a MU model file?

If that's the case then I'll just model my own docking ring, but I was hoping it was easier to just take an existing part and add the MODULE component in the part.cfg.

Am I correct in my assessment? Thanks!

You are correct. KSP looks for a blank transform named dockingNode, oriented with the y-axis pointed in the direction of docking (if I am not mistaken with the orientation). It is not a big deal to add it, but as you said if you are already opening it up you might as well make your own.

You are however mistaken about how to add it. It must be added in Unity, not just in a modeling program. Basically the order for making is a part is Model -> Unity -> Part CFG.

Sorry Moar, but I tried that once and it failed, then learned about the dockingNode transform. Unity has to have a reference for what direction to apply the magnetic force, and it cannot do that without a transform in the hierarchy.

[ThirdHorseman]

You are however mistaken about how to add it. It must be added in Unity, not just in a modeling program. Basically the order for making is a part is Model -> Unity -> Part CFG.

.

Thanks, I figured it was that. Do I need to use the entire Unity 4.2.1 download, or do I just use the PartTools package?

[PringleMan]

Unity is a software package that utilizes the PartTools put out by Squad for KSP. Think of it as Unity is an IDE and the PartTools are a config package for a specific language.

[ThirdHorseman]

Ah, thanks. I just read the C7 blog post talking about modding and saw that you install Unity first and then install the PartTools to allow creation of the .MU model files. Thanks, I'll start playing around with them now.