Object assemblies

[misho]

Hello all,

I'd like to create an assembly that consists of multiple objects, and at some point, I'd like to "discard" them... In particular, it is a rocket that discards the stages during the flight.

first question is,

What is the right approach to do this: Create a compound collision, and destroy/re-create when I discard components?

or

Create a linked assembly, and then destroy links to "let go" of the of the components

Second question:

I tried the second approach (linked assembly), it works nicely. However, I find linking unneccessarily complex. Right now, I'm using CreateCustomHinge, then enabling hinge limits, and finally setting hinge limits to 0.

All I need is a completely rigid joint without any degrees of freedom... that should be the most primitive link available. What's the quickest way to set that up?

Misho

[Julio Jerez]

you got it right, i fthe assembly does not use too many parts, hinge with the angle set to zero is a solid joint.

using the compound is faster, bu you will have to add some code.
you will need to make a dat strutore that give you infomation of what part make teh different componet of the assembly.

for a game I recomnet the method using the compound but you need add some coding for removing that parts, and making new compounds..
The si teh only way you cn ahave 100% rigdi joints that will not dimember in the present of large discontinue impacts

[misho]

you got it right, i fthe assembly does not use too many parts, hinge with the angle set to zero is a solid joint.

using the compound is faster, bu you will have to add some code.
you will need to make a dat strutore that give you infomation of what part make teh different componet of the assembly.

for a game I recomnet the method using the compound but you need add some coding for removing that parts, and making new compounds..
The si teh only way you cn ahave 100% rigdi joints that will not dimember in the present of large discontinue impacts

Thanks Julio.

Ok, I will stick to the joint method for now, since the rocket may have less than 10 parts.

To avoid setting angle limits, I was hoping to create a simple fixed joint, by using "CustomCreateBlankJoint" and using DOF set to 0, as in:

stage2Link = CustomCreateBlankJoint(0,stage2Body, stage1Body,0);

but that doesn't work. Can I use something like this?

[Julio Jerez]

why dont you make a fix joint by suclassing the costum hinge and and in teh derive method set the angle limit to zero?

[misho]

Thanks, I did just that, seemed like the easiest approach!

Misho