Simviation Forum - Variable-Pitch Prop

Sep 23^rd, 2004 at 1:49pm

Gnome Offline
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How do I make one in GMAX?

I know how to make the prop but want to know how to alter the blade pitch.
Also, am I limited to using just a lever_prop_pitch part or can I tie the animation to something else?

I want to use tailhook_nn if possible.

Thanks.

Kev

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Reply #1 - Sep 23^rd, 2004 at 9:03pm

Travis Offline
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Cannot find REALITY.SYS.
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I haven't ever paid attention, but I don't think any FS aircraft actually have the props move (except for the Bell 206's rotor, never figured that out Roll Eyes

) . . .

I suppose you COULD use the lever_prop_pitch to change the prop settings, but why would you want to? You would only be able to see it when the props weren't moving.

What aircraft is this for, and for what part? Give me a little more info, perhaps a screenshot or two, and we can see what the deal is . . .

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Reply #2 - Sep 23^rd, 2004 at 11:12pm

Milton Offline
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You can animate it many ways, however if you wish for the prop condition lever to adjust it, or for FS to automatically adjust it at start up (cntrl-shift-F4), then use the lever tag (see attached).

There are quite a few FS aircraft with this animation. Also, our AC500, the Shrike, the Howard 500, the AC680, and the new Dash 7 have the still and some have the blurred prop animated as well. See the Howard 500 for this. While in the VC, adjust the prop as you look at the right front view for a cool effect of putting more bite in the prop.

Other key frame tags could be used but not as effectively. YOu can also use the embedded xml for animating as you wish.

Milton&&Dash 7, Aero Commanders, Howard 500, D18S, Spartan, XP47J, Beechcraft A28 (Grizzly)

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Reply #3 - Sep 24^th, 2004 at 4:13am

Gnome Offline
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

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Hi Milton,
Any chance of a tutorial? It's just the blurred prop I need to animate. The prop won't be blurred, it doesn't move fast enough for that. There are three blades and I'm guessing that they must be linked to idividual 'lever_' objects (it will be the TAILHOOK in my case as this is for helicopter flight dynamics that must work in FS2002 and FS9 and us poor FS2002 guys don't have the luxury of built-in xml animation).

Hi Baron,
I'd rather keep the actual aircraft secret for now. Wink

Kev

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Reply #4 - Sep 24^th, 2004 at 9:59am

juri Offline
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Finland

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Quote:

... but why would you want to? You would only be able to see it when the props weren't moving.

and (correct me if i'm wrong) i think most planes use engine hydraulic pressure to change the prop pitch, therefore in real life you can't change it if the engine isn't running...

-juri

"Persistence and determination are omnipotent." -Calvin Coolidge

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Reply #5 - Sep 24^th, 2004 at 10:10am

juri Offline
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Finland

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oops, sorry, just read your last post again. my brains must have been set on feather before... Embarrassed

i just wonder if you'll really be able to see any pitch change, i bet the prop will be going pretty fast even if it's not blurred...

-juri

"Persistence and determination are omnipotent." -Calvin Coolidge

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Reply #6 - Sep 24^th, 2004 at 1:39pm

Gnome Offline
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Pitch change with this aircraft would be quite dramatic and very obvious.

I would rather have blurred effects too but as we only get three prop states to play with it would end up looking worse as the blurred bit would have to be PROP_SLOW.

Kev

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Reply #7 - Sep 24^th, 2004 at 2:20pm

Milton Offline
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Props forever!

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Negative. For the blurred prop mesh, you should use the prop "disc" for blurred as you do now. Just make it out of a relatively flat cylinder, maybe 3-4" thick. In editable mesh/poly mode, detach the front poly from the rest. Give the front an rear polys a slight conal shape by moving the center vertice 2-3' away from the planar. You can remove the outer polys as well if you like as shown in the screenshot.

Animate the rear part of the remaining cylinder so that it moves fore and aft as lever_prop_pitchn_nn.

Of course, this is just one way to do it, the way I used on the Howard 500. But, maybe this will give you some ideas.

Milton&&Dash 7, Aero Commanders, Howard 500, D18S, Spartan, XP47J, Beechcraft A28 (Grizzly)

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Reply #8 - Sep 24^th, 2004 at 6:03pm

Gnome Offline
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

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There is no disk. Just the blades and I need to physically rotate them about their own axis. At no time will any of it have a 'blurred' phase, unfortunately. I'm hoping it will look OK. The pitch change is vital.

Kev

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Reply #9 - Sep 25^th, 2004 at 8:40am

Gnome Offline
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

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S'OK, I've worked out how to do it.
The non-blurredness of the blades is perfectly OK and looks correct for this aircraft. Phew!

Wonderplane is almost finished. Just a 2D panel and VC to do. Some decent paint would be good as I'm really not too clued up in that department but it is presentable.

Kev (Very happy bunny)

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