SC2Mapster

I'm trying to use a sword model and give it real-like movement. I've explored using: GAx3's model in a portrait and a actor message to rotate the model but the model doesn't blend from its current rotation to the new rotation so its kind of choppy. The same problem applies if I create the model on the map and use rotation. It's choppy, no blending. I've tried using the model as a beam instead to control both ends of the object, halt/handle and tip/blade direction, but the model wasn't designed to be used as a beam. I believe it needs a attachment point added to it for the "Target" part of the beam. Anyone know how to do this?

I'm open to other ideas to creating a sword model and getting it to have more control then the basic don't-move, since it has no animations itself.

Quote from DrSuperEvil: Go

Beam (Simple) is bad in that it rotates when moving, while Beam (Standard) lacks the launch and impact SOps. Tried the SOp (Forward/Up) methods?

I have no idea what the SOp (Forward/Up) methods is. Can you explain or show me a link to a resource on it? I've been changing the launch (origin) and impact (target) points using a GAx3.

So SOp (Forward/Up) method simply forces a model to face a certain direction non-stop?

I believe I solved my problem. I created a beam attached to a units origin, changed/move it to the position of the hand, created and attached a sword to it, and now I can move the beam to change the direction of the sword.

Creates sword and makes it rotate/move/face upwards to the sky.

                Actor - Create a beam from (Site From (Actor for (Unit.GetPlayersUnit(1)))'s Origin) to (Site from the point (((Position of (Unit.GetPlayersUnit(1))) offset by 5.0 height) offset by 10.0 towards 180.0 degrees)) with the model Void Ray Attack Beam
                Variable - Set Local.Actor.Beam = (Last created actor)
                Actor - Send message (SetOpacity 0.0 0) to actor (Last created actor)
                Actor - Attach Sword1 to Origin on (Last created actor)
                Variable - Set Local.Actor.Sword = (Last created actor)
                General - Wait 3.0 Game Time seconds
                Actor - Move Local.Actor.Beam's Source endpoint to (Site from the point ((Position of (Unit.GetPlayersUnit(1))) offset by 0.5 height)) With Speed 2.0
                General - Wait 3.0 Game Time seconds
                Actor - Move Local.Actor.Beam's Target endpoint to (Site from the point ((Position of (Unit.GetPlayersUnit(1))) offset by 1.0 height)) With Speed 1.0

Next I need to figure out how to control the beams movement better. I don't know how to tell the "Target" part of the beam to face a certain direction based on its XYZ from its source XYZ. Any more ideas or suggestions?

Quote from DrSuperEvil: Go

Hope you are using a beam (standard) else you will have issues with more rapid movements. Combine the SOp (Smooth Rotation) SOp and the Reference Set event action to allow changing directions faced.

I Just use the trigger/function in GAx3 to move any end of the beam with whatever speed.

On another note, by offsetting the attachment point the beam gets disconnected from the unit. Is there a way to create a attachment point on a unit via triggers or pre-set through data?