WING FOLDING PROBLEM

[mgh 89]

I am developing a FS2004 model using Gmax of a vintage biplane in which the wings fold back against the fuselage. The ailerons on the upper wings need to move in opposite directions (one up, the other down) to overlap in the folded position, and the ailerons on the lower wings both need to move down so the wings can move close to the fuselage in the folded position. I am already using key frame animations for the ailerons for normal flight. Because in Gmax the part name is used to identify the key frame animation I can't apply another animation to the ailerons. Would it be possible to clone the wings and apply a wing folding key frame animation to the clone and then arrange to toggle the visibility of the original wings and ailerons and their clone when the wing folding/unfolding command is used? If so how?Thanks in advanceGerry

[elche 5]

Hi,I think you can attach the ailerons to a dummy object, then attach the dummy object to the folding part of the wing, and then animate the dummy object to get the animation you want.Steps....1. Select the CREATE Tab2. Select HELPERS (the one with a measuring tape icon)3. Select DUMMY from object type and then create the DUMMY inside one of the viewports.4. Adjust the position of the DUMMY at the same position as the PIVOT-POINT of your Aileron.5. Click on SELECT AND LINK on the menu (it's the button to the right of the REDO/UNDO buttons. It has two boxes linked by a red chain)6. Left Click on the Aileron(child object). While maintaining the left mouse pressed, drag the mouse over to the dummy(parent object) and then release the left mouse button (Release only when the mouse pointer icon has changed to the LINK AND SELECT icon). If link was succesful Parent Object will blink one or twice.7. Now repeat STEP 6 again, this time link the dummy object to the folding part of the wing. In this case the dummy is the Child Object and the folding part of the wing is the Parent Object.8. Animate the Dummy.Also don't forget to name the dummy!http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~elche/Genera...a_fl_md_wht.gif http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~elche/Genera...a_fl_md_wht.gifDiego CoslovichWebsite: http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~elche/index.htm (under construction)E-mail: elche@ihug.com.au

[mgh 89]

Thanks. I'll try itGerry