[Help requested] A non-InfernalRobotics 90° stepper motor

[sumghai]

As part of my station parts pack, I'm looking to turn one of my modules into bay for storing KAS-style containers, but with a twist - the containers will be mounted on a rotating spindle that turns in 90° steps.

However, while I do have InfernalRobotics in my KSP installation, I do not wish to use said add-on for this feature request for two reasons:

- To avoid, as much as possible, dependencies on other plugins for "vital" functions (For this purpose, Snjo recommended I recompile a copy of his Firespitter animation module for my station parts)

- <<redacted>>

My specifications are as follows:

- 90° steps between each rotation

- I'm okay with only clockwise *or* counter-clockwise rotation, but the ability to rotate in either direction would be a very nice little perk

- Right-click context menu control (i.e. not the InfernalRobotics servo control window)

- Accessible via EVA or when controlling the vessel itself

- I will eventually build said feature into a container bay compartment, to keep part count as low as possible (i.e no separate "servo" part).

Any pointers on how I could get started?

[Devo]

Infernal Robotics would be a good way to get started as you are going to have hell having animations stick with moving objects.

[StEligius]

Oh yes, you are going to implement what I was hoping for, a carousel loading/unloading magazine for KASPAR racks (been hoping for that as soon as I saw 'em). one door for loading unloading, the rack swings back around exposing another mount point. Imagine a loading system for the proposed 10 rack bay, yum.

I love you man! You truly are the KSP analog of Minecraft's FlowerChild (of Better Than Wolves mod fame).

Eloi

[sirkut]

I wrote a custom animator plugin based off of the Firespitter plugin that will be released soon that allows playing forward or reverse of animations similar to infernal robotics. The only problem you will have with using animations is you can't attach anything to the surface of the actual moving animation. This is why you can't surface attach anything to the cargo bay doors of the B9 parts pack for example.

[Devo]

I wrote a custom animator plugin based off of the Firespitter plugin that will be released soon that allows playing forward or reverse of animations similar to infernal robotics. The only problem you will have with using animations is you can't attach anything to the surface of the actual moving animation. This is why you can't surface attach anything to the cargo bay doors of the B9 parts pack for example.

Cool stuff, I think I'll hang out for that instead.

[sumghai]

Infernal Robotics would be a good way to get started as you are going to have hell having animations stick with moving objects.

I wrote a custom animator plugin based off of the Firespitter plugin that will be released soon that allows playing forward or reverse of animations similar to infernal robotics. The only problem you will have with using animations is you can't attach anything to the surface of the actual moving animation. This is why you can't surface attach anything to the cargo bay doors of the B9 parts pack for example.

I see what you guys mean.

I still don't want to use IR or the MSI animator wholesale, but I suppose I could try looking at the source code and rewriting a compact version that rebuilds part positions as IR/MSI does.

Oh yes, you are going to implement what I was hoping for, a carousel loading/unloading magazine for KASPAR racks (been hoping for that as soon as I saw 'em). one door for loading unloading, the rack swings back around exposing another mount point. Imagine a loading system for the proposed 10 rack bay, yum.

Precisely!

[sirkut]

Fair enough. The msi animator allows you to incrementally play an animation as if its similar to robotic parts. I tried attaching stuff to it but it wont work. Its great for leveling landing legs or a claw(!!!!) that MSI is releasing with the parts pack. I figured i would save you some grief. Can't say I didnt try to save you some time with using IR but you can certainly do a redux that does 90 degree increments rotationally. Good luck!

[sumghai]

Fair enough. The msi animator allows you to incrementally play an animation as if its similar to robotic parts. I tried attaching stuff to it but it wont work. Its great for leveling landing legs or a claw(!!!!) that MSI is releasing with the parts pack. I figured i would save you some grief. Can't say I didnt try to save you some time with using IR but you can certainly do a redux that does 90 degree increments rotationally. Good luck!

If that's the case, I may or may not reconsider.

[StEligius]

Precisely!

Yay! <3 I can't wait to see what you have in store!