Saving Lander as Sub-assembly

[ohlookabirdie]

I have just built a Mun Lander and i want to save it as a sub-assembly to add to a larger transfer craft but it wont let me. it says "part is not attachable" or something like that. how can I make it attachable?

here is a pic of the lander, its nice and simple.

(Click for bigger)

*EDIT: i want to attach it via the docking port on the top.

[AndrewBCrisp]

Hi. From my own experiences with the Subassembly tab, I know that whole craft cannot be saved as subassemblies - and since you built the lander as a seperate entity in the VAB, the game is treating it as a whole craft.

My suggestion on how to work around this is to start with a "dummy" craft - say a probe core with a fuel tank and a docking port facing down, doesn't have to be useable - which the game will then treat as a root. Then build your lander onto that. Unfortunately it will mean having to rebuild your lander from scratch. Once your lander is complete, detach it from the dummy craft and save it as a subassembly. Then delete the dummy craft.

A variant of the above is to start with designing your larger craft - presumably the command-service module if you're going for an Apollo style mission - and build your lander on that as though it was going into the final rocket. Once again you can save the lander as a subassembly when finished, but with the bonus of being able to save the CSM as a craft afterwards.

Hope this helps!

[Taki117]

Hi. From my own experiences with the Subassembly tab, I know that whole craft cannot be saved as subassemblies - and since you built the lander as a seperate entity in the VAB, the game is treating it as a whole craft.

This is not true at all. The only requirement for s subassembly is the root part must have an open attach node. Basically, if you are planning to build something as a subassembly it is best to start with a "Dummy" root bart (A girder segment works well for this) then attach whatever you want to be your subassembly, then pull that off and drop it into the tab. An alternative is to use Select Root, build your craft as normal, then using select root, select a new root part, which would be the part that would be your subassembly.

[ohlookabirdie]

thanks guys

[maltesh]

You don't actually have to start with a probe core. Any item that allows both Stack and Radial attachment can be a root part. As a result, when I /know/ that the thing I'm building is something that I'm going to want to save as a subassembly, I start with a Cubic Octagonal Strut.

The SelectRoot mod is also useful for auto-rebuilding craft around a new root part.

[Zylark]

The problem is that the root of your design (ie. the first part in your construction) is not available for connecting more stuff to it. I'm guessing you started with the Capsule, and then built up and down from there. To be able to make constructions into sub-assemblies you really must build your craft top to bottom.

If a bit scatterbrained like me however, there is a remedy. One I can't imagine playing without, saves me a ton of time. Get SelectRoot mod. After installing that, restart your game, load up your lander, hold down left ctrl and shift and click on the docking port at the top. Presto - you can now save your vessel as a sub-assembly

[Vallius]

To save a rover as a sub-assembly, you need build it off of a root part you don't want to save. You're only allowed to save sub-assemblies of non-root parts (I hope they'll change this in the future). For now, I'd recommend

1. Saving the sections of your lander above and below the command module as separate sub-assemblies.

2. Delete the command module, select a probe core for your first part.

3. build the lander below the probe core using your sub-assemblies and a command module.

4. Now you can detach the entire lander and save it as a sub-assembly.

5. To attach the lander to a larger craft, hold down the ALT (or mod key) to attach it by the docking port to your mother ship.

Hope that helps!

[mhoram]

Another option that was not mentioned yet is to save the launcher (that has the docking port as its root part) and copy the .craft file to the subassemblies folder.

After that you can use the launcher as a subassembly in the usual way.

[tg626]

1. Get and install select root.
   
2. Load the lander in vab.
   
3. Put a probe core on top of the docking port.
   
4. Press Ctrl+shift and click the probe core.
   
5. Probe core is now the "root" part.
   
6. Click docking port and drag lander to the subassemblies tab to save as subassembly.
   
7. Delete unneeded probe core.
   
8. ???
   
9. Profit!