Tilting static objects?

[J-1775]

I have a number of new shipwrecks ready to place in the Normandy scenery. To give the scenery some variation I'd like to place the models in different 'poses', that is tilted in different degrees and axis.
In my Maug movie I did that by creating and exporting individual .edm models for each pose, but I still think there must be a better and more ressourceful way (maybe a scripting hack?) of tilting an object in the scenery (as well as adjusting its height above oder under ground).
Any help appreciated!

[Hiob]

Usually when you place a static object in the ME you have a kind of "compass rose" in the units page on the right side, where you can select the direction it is pointing to.
At least that works for Vehicles.

*similar to the wind direction selectors in the weather tab.

[Fisherman82]

I would also like to know what makes some static objects tilt same as the ground and some others remain vertical, like EDs static buildings.

[TeTeT]

2 hours ago, Fisherman82 said:

I would also like to know what makes some static objects tilt same as the ground and some others remain vertical, like EDs static buildings.

I lately faced the same question with some huts for Vietnam War Vessels. I looked at the Vietnam War Asset pack by tobsen and EightBall and found that some structures will be level with the ground, and others remain vertical. I then copied the setup for those that stay vertical and it seems to work well. https://github.com/tobi-be/DCS-OH-6A/releases/tag/VAPv1.2 is the original source and my copy of it can be found in the development package https://tetet.de/dcs/mods/vwv_buildings-2024-10-31.zip Good luck.

[J-1775]

On 11/4/2024 at 2:24 PM, Hiob said:

Usually when you place a static object in the ME you have a kind of "compass rose" in the units page on the right side, where you can select the direction it is pointing to.
At least that works for Vehicles.

*similar to the wind direction selectors in the weather tab.

Yes, I do have that option which corresponds to the yaw axis. But I miss the pitch and roll axis. I'm not a big fan of the MSFS SDK, but it gives you a decent 'gizmo' handle with all that. And with the 'snap-to-ground' checkbox unchecked you can even unlock the z-axis and place your custom object as much into the ground or up in the air as you want. BTW, you may scale up or down your object or instanced object, too, and technically it remains just another instance.
All that, of course, allows you to bypass realism ─ at least in your own custom sceneries. And utmost realism seems like the holy grail to DCS devs...

[Hiob]

Just now, J-1775 said:

Yes, I do have that option which corresponds to the yaw axis. But I miss the pitch and roll axis. I'm not a big fan of the MSFS SDK, but it gives you a decent 'gizmo' handle with all that. And with the 'snap-to-ground' checkbox unchecked you can even unlock the z-axis and place your custom object as much into the ground or up in the air as you want. BTW, you may scale up or down your object or instanced object, too, and technically it remains just another instance.
All that, of course, allows you to bypass realism ─ at least in your own custom sceneries. And utmost realism seems like the holy grail to DCS devs...

Yeah, sorry. I think I misunderstood the question. I thought you where asking about the "heading", but you meant the "attitude".... 

[J-1775]

18 hours ago, TeTeT said:

I lately faced the same question with some huts for Vietnam War Vessels. I looked at the Vietnam War Asset pack by tobsen and EightBall and found that some structures will be level with the ground, and others remain vertical. I then copied the setup for those that stay vertical and it seems to work well. https://github.com/tobi-be/DCS-OH-6A/releases/tag/VAPv1.2 is the original source and my copy of it can be found in the development package https://tetet.de/dcs/mods/vwv_buildings-2024-10-31.zip Good luck.

This is interesting! Do you know which parameters are responsable? There are quite a few unknown to me. Like positioning = "ONLYHEIGTH".
BTW, do you know where the so many parameters are explained?

[TeTeT]

@J-1775, On discord I was pointed to this old post from 2021 from Grinelli. I don't really know anything more. Baby-steps in structures modding

--EXAMPLE FUNCTION
local function add_structure(f)
    if(f) then
        f.shape_table_data = 
        {
            {
                file          = f.ShapeName,
                life        = f.Life,
                username    = f.Name,
                desrt       = f.ShapeNameDestr or "self",
                classname     = f.classname   or "lLandVehicle", --need to find other options for this to make ships float!!
                positioning = f.positioning or "ONLYHEIGTH" -- {"BYNORMAL", "ONLYHEIGTH", "BY_XZ", "ADD_HEIGTH"} 
                --BYNORMAL   = Lean with the terrian 
                --ONLYHEIGTH = Stand verticle from ground will clip into the land if its large? 
                --BY_XZ      = will follow terrian this is best used for fencing as it will skew the geometry to stay with the land?
                --ADD_HEIGTH = add height to make entire model sit level?
            }
        }
        if f.ShapeNameDestr then
            f.shape_table_data[#f.shape_table_data + 1] = 
            {
                name  = f.ShapeNameDestr,
                file  = f.ShapeNameDestr,    
            }
        end
        
        
        f.mapclasskey = "P0091000076";
        f.attribute = {wsType_Static, wsType_Standing} 
        --Attribute Options:
        --wsType_Air, wsType_Ground, wsType_Navy, wsType_Weapon, wsType_Static, wsType_Destroyed, wsType_Test1, wsType_Point
        --wsType_Airplane, wsType_Helicopter, wsType_Free_Fall, wsType_Moving, wsType_Standing, wsType_Tank, wsType_SAM, wsType_Ship, wsType_GContainer
        
        add_surface_unit(f)
        GT = nil;
    else
        error("Can't add structure")
    end;
end

 

[J-1775]

Many thanks TeTeT! I'm in a similar situation, not able to just merge the code into some handy file and test it. Can't say that I understand much of it, but I don't think that tilting an object is addressed by any of the parameters (except by going the long way thru adjusting the ground). However, the ADD_HEIGHT param (maybe with a negative value) is certainly worth a try.
However, with MSFS2024 release currently only shy of a few hours, I might resume my scenery projects there. Some screenshots I've seen show pebbles below the water surface, so I am very curious if my half sunken shipwrecks will finally look better than in FS2020...