Targetware: 3D Dev Guide

Adding Shared Objects (Target Rabaul)

In order to save texture space and modeling work, we have created a number of 'shared' objects which any modeler can link to from their .anm file. You are, in fact, required to use shared pilots and crew. Currently, there are three types of shared objects available to Target Rabaul modelers: crewmen, prop discs, and external ordnance. External ordnance is applied by the .acm file, so we will not cover that here. We will outline the procedure for using a shared pilot. We will cover use of the prop discs later on when we come to animation.

How to use an shared pilot:

1. Select the pilot/crew figure you want to use. You can generally tell what each figure is by looking at the filename. For example, "gunner_hd_usn.lwo" is going to be a high-definition gunner in US Navy uniform, while "crew_ld_ija.lwo" would point to a low-definition crew model for an Japanese army plane.
    
2. In your modeling program, place a dummy object where you want the pilot or crewman to sit. Feel free to import the .lwo mesh for the shared pilot you will be using, if you wish.
    
3. Note the x, y, and z coordinates of your object. Measure from the bottom of the dummy object, because the shared pilot models start at the waistline and go up. They are centered left/right/forward/back on the middle of the torso.
    


Illustration 2.65_1: Test-fitting a shared pilot into your cockpit. Note offset numbers.

4. In your .anm file, add a child object as follows:
    

In the example above, the pilot becomes child object #27. The model being used is the high-definition IJN pilot. He is placed 0.18 meters above the center of gravity, and 0.68 meters back from the point of origin of the plane, the main wing spar. These are the numbers you will need to set for your model to get the pilot in the right place. You may also have to adjust the angle of rotation of the pilot to match your plane's orientation. The distance can be set to whatever distance (in meters) you want the pilot to start being visible to other planes.

Note that the geometry path begins with a slash ("/"). This tells the game that you are going to reference a file outside of the current (local) directory. Using the slash will allow you to back up as far as the "data" directory, but no further.