How to clip parts

[EmanonP]

I've done advanced searches. I've looked for youtube vids. I understand the concept, but don't see how to achieve it.

I have "enable parts clipping" in the debug menu, but when I try to clip a part into a part, it either attaches it to the side of that part, or gives me an invalid placement.

Do I need to hold a key down while clipping? Basically, I've tried to hide a fuel tank within a fuel tank, and no go.

Feel free to point me to an ages old thread that I couldn't find on this how to....either I stink at searches, or it's not out there.

Thanks in advance for any help, and I also forgive anyone that feels the need to call me a newb and yell at me for posting yet again another thread that has

been beaten to death, if such a thread does exist.

Oh, and if one does, why not give a few hints as to how one would search for it?

Edited October 20, 2013 by EmanonP

[Johnno]

Advanced search - search titles only - clipping

A few threads there that touch the subject, but potentially not in a detailed enough manner.

Part clipping as such usually doesn't even require being enabled from the debug menu. A lot of clipping is done by making attachment points with small cubic struts, so you can place items closer to eachother. You can rotate small cubic struts into things and then attach items by rotating/moving your camera so that you can view the inside. Sometimes you have to wiggle things on and off, they'll occasionally attach as red, other times as green. Once they light up green just clickie.

As far as I know you can still only use valid attachment points to attach to, things that attach radially can be rotated into parts and thus be hidden. Some items you can clip into eachother, one I've seen used the most is oscar-b and toroidal fuel tanks. RTGs can be rotated into most parts and be hidden, I've done the same with batteries.

Be aware though that part clipping can cause phantom forces or even unexpected disassembly (explosions or parts simply floating off).

[EmanonP]

Thanks for the feedback. The reason for the inquiry is this video in which it seems the author hides several fuel tanks inside one another. I understand that the mass and inertia of the build would be effected,

I just want to know HOW he made them disappear like that.

I've seen a few other vids where batteries and such are stacked and "hidden". Just curious is all!

[Sundancer]

Something I've noticed when messing around in the SPH is that if you use angle-snap it's possible to get some minor clipping. But if you turn it off and rotate the part as necessary, you can get much more control over exactly how it clips into the other part.

The easiest way to see this for yourself is (with angle snap on) take the Swept wing, and try to join another either in front or behind. Then turn off the angle snap and try again. The part will likely show up first at a weird angle, but with a bit of patience you can build nearly seamless wings that are far larger than you could manage normally.

Of course, you may know this already...

Edit: It's also not what you were looking for. Disregard this post.

Edited October 19, 2013 by Sundancer

[Cruzan]

The guy in that video you linked seemed to have found a bug. Normal clipping involves using the cubic struts as mentioned earlier.

Here's a vid of a guy showing the basics for clipping which he uses for air hogging. Watch how he sets up the intakes onto that strut. From there you can rotate that whole thing inside of other parts if you want. This works with everything. Engines, tanks, SAS modules, intakes...you name it. Things like RTG's don't even need to be attached to a strut to do this as they have their own built-in attachment point.

http://youtu.be/fAn0Ul8u5gs?t=9m15s

Be careful with putting tanks inside tanks though. When/if it comes time to refuel it can be impossible to click on anything for refueling lol

Good luck!

[EmanonP]

Thanks again for the replies. I can work with this information!