Hi Ben,
will try to answer point by point...
The orient vector just represents the connection orientation. For example all studs on untrasformed bricks and plates are normally oriented along Y (vertical) axle. In an untrasformed technic axle connections are along X axle.
More clarification point: in a technic axle (but also in a bar and other "clippable" parts) connections are at discrete positions. There is not an axle connection at some position and long x Lego Units, but a serie of single connections each one oriented ad positioned at 1 LU from previous and next all along the part (for example the axle).
Instead for sliding connections (IE in pistons, pneumatic and other parts) there is a starting and ending point of a continuos line of available connections oriented along the line.
Tire manager does not take care of part positioning. It just show wheels tires compabilities. The FixedMale in the wheel and the FixedFemale connections in the tire do the trick of snapping at correct position.
Hope this can help...
Sergio
will try to answer point by point...
Ben Supnik Wrote:For the axle and peghole, does your system know how _long_ the axle is? For example, is there a requirement that the length of the vector [ox oy oz] be the length of the axle?
The orient vector just represents the connection orientation. For example all studs on untrasformed bricks and plates are normally oriented along Y (vertical) axle. In an untrasformed technic axle connections are along X axle.
More clarification point: in a technic axle (but also in a bar and other "clippable" parts) connections are at discrete positions. There is not an axle connection at some position and long x Lego Units, but a serie of single connections each one oriented ad positioned at 1 LU from previous and next all along the part (for example the axle).
Instead for sliding connections (IE in pistons, pneumatic and other parts) there is a starting and ending point of a continuos line of available connections oriented along the line.
Ben Supnik Wrote:I do have another question: I noticed the "tire manager" file that appears to associate wheels with tires. Does SR3D know the correct position for the tires on the wheels? Or does this come from the part connection data?
Tire manager does not take care of part positioning. It just show wheels tires compabilities. The FixedMale in the wheel and the FixedFemale connections in the tire do the trick of snapping at correct position.
Hope this can help...
Sergio