How to Get an Animated SU Model to X-Plane?
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Hi,
I use SketchUp 8 to create models that I then export as X-Plane objects (using a plug in) and integrate with the actual aircraft in X-Plane Plane Maker.
Therefore, my question is very specific, and I hope there are some X-Planers who might read this.
Sometimes, I would like to animate an object so it works in X-Plane: an arresting tail hook that goes down and up or a canopy that opens and closes, for example, when a button or key is pressed in X-Plane.
The problem is that currently (according to X-Plane experts) SketchUp models cannot be exported to X-Plane with the SketchUp animation intact. The workaround is to create the model in SketchUp and then import it into a program like AC3D, create the animation, and then go from there to X-Plane.
I don't mind spending the 80 bucks for AC3D, but it seems a shame when only one use is envisioned. I could switch to AC3D as my modeling program, but I've already invested a lot of time in learning SketchUp and would rather not switch.
So, my question is, does anyone familiar with both SU and X-Plane know of an alternative: a way to achieve my goal without spending money on another program?
(By the way, my computer crashes when I try to open Blender on it, so that isn't an option. And trying to edit by hand is beyond my capabilities.)
Thanks,
Bill -
Hello Bsquared,
It won't help for your particular case but here is an example of interaction between SkecthUp and a flight simulator. We used flight datas to drive an animation in SkecthUp :
[http://youtu.be/XWsI7oR3kdc](http://youtu.be/XWsI7oR3kdc)Best regards,
SimFonIA team -
@unknownuser said:
The problem is that currently (according to X-Plane experts) SketchUp models cannot be exported to X-Plane with the SketchUp animation intact. The workaround is to create the model in SketchUp and then import it into a program like AC3D, create the animation, and then go from there to X-Plane.
They are correct. I've used X-Plane a bit and as far as animations go, you'll need AC3D. Sketchup works fine for creating static items, like building, towers, etc (and even those need some post processing to comply with X-Planes modified .obj format). The fact is that AC3D will write the modified .obj format too, which no other app does that I'm aware of.
Cheers.
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A lot of time has passed since I started this thread. As an update, I want to mention that the latest version of Jonathan's (aka "Marginal") SU2XP plugin for SketchUp now does an excellent job of animating SketchUp models to make rotations, movements (translations), smoke, lights, etc. It is doing everything I want it to do so far.
Bill
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