Stop building from following terrain

Hey guys,

I have made some buildings and helipads for DCS, the problem I have with them is that unlike the DCS buildings, they follow the slope of the terrain. This poses a problem for my helipads as they need to be completely horizontal.

I know it can be done as, for example, you place the "supermarket" by ED from the static objects in the mission editor on a hill, and it will stay horizontal and not follow the slope of the terrain.

Anyone who can help me out with this?

Ok, I think I figured out how it's done using the old and non prefered method of editing the StrucTable file. Buildings have a line of code there to set it's allowed positioning:

positioning = "ONLYHEIGTH";

Is there any way to implement this into the new way of modding? e.g. Implement it in the lua file below?

--SlopePad

mount_vfs_model_path	(current_mod_path.."/Shapes")
mount_vfs_texture_path  (current_mod_path.."/Textures")

GT = {};
set_recursive_metatable(GT, GT_t.generic_stationary)
set_recursive_metatable(GT.chassis, GT_t.CH_t.STATIC);
GT.chassis.life = 1500

GT.visual.shape = "HG_SlopePad.EDM"
GT.visual.shape_dstr = "HG_SlopePad.EDM" --(no destructed model yet)

--Burning after hit
GT.visual.fire_size = 1 --relative burning size
GT.visual.fire_pos = {0,0,0};
GT.visual.fire_time = 30; --burning time (seconds)
GT.time_agony = 180;

--Name Stuff
GT.Name = "HG_SlopePad"
GT.DisplayName = _("HG_Slope Helipad")
GT.Rate = 1

GT.DetectionRange  = 0;
GT.ThreatRange = 0;
GT.mapclasskey = "P0091000076";
GT.attribute = {wsType_Ground,wsType_Tank,wsType_Gun,wsType_GenericFort,"Fortifications",};
GT.category = "Fortification";
               
add_surface_unit(GT)

How are you exporting it??

If it's through the file > export then yes it will.

If you use the pop up exporter then there's 3 options to use.

on ma mobile

How are you exporting it??

 

If it's through the file > export then yes it will.

 

If you use the pop up exporter then there's 3 options to use.

 

on ma mobile

I've been using file > export, but I will try using the pop-up exporter. Assuming that is the EDModelTool exporter in 3ds max. What are the options, which ones to set and where do I find those options?

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

This is the options screen of the EDM export toolbar:

I'm guessing I need the export space option which seems to be missing in my exporter.

I use release 17679 because that was what seems to be recommended... Is there a newer version I should try or is this something that was taken out in newer versions?

It's different than I remember.. must of changed.

on ma mobile

I'm starting to think it has to do with wsTypes, thinking this stands for worldspace... anyone who knows?

Here is the slope pad I'm working on, what I'm trying to achieve is that it will always be horizontally flat.

Nice work on the textures. :thumbup:

Ok, I think I figured out how it's done using the old and non prefered method of editing the StrucTable file. Buildings have a line of code there to set it's allowed positioning:

positioning = "ONLYHEIGTH";

 

Is there any way to implement this into the new way of modding? e.g. Implement it in the lua file below?

 

 

--SlopePad

mount_vfs_model_path	(current_mod_path.."/Shapes")
mount_vfs_texture_path  (current_mod_path.."/Textures")

GT = {};
set_recursive_metatable(GT, GT_t.generic_stationary)
set_recursive_metatable(GT.chassis, GT_t.CH_t.STATIC);
GT.chassis.life = 1500

GT.visual.shape = "HG_SlopePad.EDM"
GT.visual.shape_dstr = "HG_SlopePad.EDM" --(no destructed model yet)

--Burning after hit
GT.visual.fire_size = 1 --relative burning size
GT.visual.fire_pos = {0,0,0};
GT.visual.fire_time = 30; --burning time (seconds)
GT.time_agony = 180;

--Name Stuff
GT.Name = "HG_SlopePad"
GT.DisplayName = _("HG_Slope Helipad")
GT.Rate = 1

GT.DetectionRange  = 0;
GT.ThreatRange = 0;
GT.mapclasskey = "P0091000076";
GT.attribute = {wsType_Ground,wsType_Tank,wsType_Gun,wsType_GenericFort,"Fortifications",};
GT.category = "Fortification";
               
add_surface_unit(GT)

				GT.positioning = VALUE	
Available: {"BYNORMAL", "ONLYHEIGTH", "BY_XZ", "ADD_HEIGTH"}

SkateZilla, you rock. Spent days trying all sorts of wsTypes and what not. Can't test it right now but if this works I can't thank you enough! It's been keeping me up.

I'm either doing it wrong or it simply does not work. :(

This is what I did and I see no difference. Am I doing it wrong?

--SlopePad

mount_vfs_model_path	(current_mod_path.."/Shapes")
mount_vfs_texture_path  (current_mod_path.."/Textures")

GT = {};
set_recursive_metatable(GT, GT_t.generic_stationary)
set_recursive_metatable(GT.chassis, GT_t.CH_t.STATIC);
GT.chassis.life = 1500

GT.visual.shape = "HG_SlopePad.EDM"
GT.visual.shape_dstr = "HG_SlopePad.EDM" --(no destructed model yet)

--Burning after hit
GT.visual.fire_size = 1 --relative burning size
GT.visual.fire_pos = {0,0,0};
GT.visual.fire_time = 30; --burning time (seconds)
GT.time_agony = 180;

--Name Stuff
GT.Name = "HG_SlopePad"
GT.DisplayName = _("HG_Slope Helipad")
GT.Rate = 1

GT.DetectionRange  = 0;
GT.ThreatRange = 0;
GT.mapclasskey = "P0091000076";
GT.attribute = {wsType_Ground,wsType_Tank,wsType_Gun,wsType_GenericFort,"Fortifications",};
GT.category = "Fortification";
GT.positioning = "ONLYHEIGTH";            
add_surface_unit(GT)

Thanks to the help of SkateZilla and SVKSniper I got some more understanding of the lua files.

Here's the result :)

Thanks guys!

nice job :thumbup: maybe a download link ? :music_whistling:

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3624007&postcount=2026

Hey mate, release should be in a few days. Created a bunch of helipads and helicopter related models.

...Created a bunch of helipads and helicopter related models.

:thumbsup: :bounce:

Hey mate, release should be in a few days. Created a bunch of helipads and helicopter related models.

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3656511&postcount=3

any news ?

TY

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3656511&postcount=3

 

any news ?

TY

Hey there,

Wasn't able to work on this for almost two weeks, had a serious case of the man flu and then a bunch of nightshifts. Started working on this again this evening. Should be ready soon. Sorry for the delay!

Thanks to the help of SkateZilla and SVKSniper I got some more understanding of the lua files.

Here's the result :)

 

Thanks guys!

 

Hey!

can we have any infos how did you fix that and make it work? :smartass:

Thank You :)

would also be really interested in this fix for transforming some old static mods so they are savedgames compatible.

Beautiful work!! :thumbup:

Nice work Dan, looks like a good addition for interact-able objects in DCS World. :thumbup:

Nice work Dan, looks like a good addition for interact-able objects in DCS World. :thumbup:

Thanks, work on this has been on the backburner for a bit due to my crazy times at work and figuring out some stuff to make AI interact with landingpads as well. Only last week I figured out how to make AI helicopters spawn and land on my pads. I shared this technique with Joe_Rowe who's making some awesome landingpads and heliports himself.

In return he showed me how to add some cool functioning lights that will be part of some of my helipads now.

I have to export all my pads and ports again with the newly found technique to get AI to use them and the ability to actually spawn on them. I'll try to find some time this week to finish that up and upload the first version of the mod.

I'll also try to make an illustrated guide as to how to make helipads and other objects to stay horizontaly aligned, make them landable by AI (or set landing waypoints for players) and the ability to spawn on them. I will post that guide here on the forums.

So far my mod includes not only helipads (regular rooftop pads you can place on existing buildings, slopepads, portable pads, logging pads etc) but also some other objects to create some cool helicopter focused scenrios, like a pier that will stretch out over water (makes for some challenging landings as well), tents and campsites, liferafts, downed pilot and more.

So, how did you stop it from following the terrain?

Thanks, work on this has been on the backburner for a bit due to my crazy times at work and figuring out some stuff to make AI interact with landingpads as well. Only last week I figured out how to make AI helicopters spawn and land on my pads. I shared this technique with Joe_Rowe who's making some awesome landingpads and heliports himself.

 

In return he showed me how to add some cool functioning lights that will be part of some of my helipads now.

 

I have to export all my pads and ports again with the newly found technique to get AI to use them and the ability to actually spawn on them. I'll try to find some time this week to finish that up and upload the first version of the mod.

 

I'll also try to make an illustrated guide as to how to make helipads and other objects to stay horizontaly aligned, make them landable by AI (or set landing waypoints for players) and the ability to spawn on them. I will post that guide here on the forums.

 

So far my mod includes not only helipads (regular rooftop pads you can place on existing buildings, slopepads, portable pads, logging pads etc) but also some other objects to create some cool helicopter focused scenrios, like a pier that will stretch out over water (makes for some challenging landings as well), tents and campsites, liferafts, downed pilot and more.

 

I make an educated guess (take a look at the lua code from page 1): GT.positioning = "ONLYHEIGHT";