Help With Couplers (Solved)

[ryan9550]

I could use some help with figuring out why my couplers are doing this

20210801131302_1.jpg

They're doing this while coupled. Here are my blueprint settings if that helps

Coupler Issue 1.jpg

Coupler Issue 2.jpg

Coupler Issue 3.jpg

Coupler Issue 4.jpg

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[mrennie]

The distance from the front edge of the collision box (half the collision length) to the front pivot X should be 0.375. So in your case, where collision box length is 3.94, front pivot X should be (3.94/2)+0.375 = 2.345.

Next, the front coupling pivot X needs to be exactly 0.75 less than the front pivot X. In your case, that means 2.345 - 0.75 = 1.595 (instead of 1.797354 in row 3 column 2 of the matrix)

Same goes for the rear/back points, which in your case will be back pivot X = -2.345, and rear coupling pivot point -1.595 (instead of -1.797354)

This works as long as the collision length is the distance between the faces of the coupling pockets.

[ryan9550]

The distance from the front edge of the collision box (half the collision length) to the front pivot X should be 0.375. So in your case, where collision box length is 3.94, front pivot X should be (3.94/2)+0.375 = 2.345.

Next, the front coupling pivot X needs to be exactly 0.75 less than the front pivot X. In your case, that means 2.345 - 0.75 = 1.595 (instead of 1.797354 in row 3 column 2 of the matrix)

Same goes for the rear/back points, which in your case will be back pivot X = -2.345, and rear coupling pivot point -1.595 (instead of -1.797354)

This works as long as the collision length is the distance between the faces of the coupling pockets.

Thank you for the reply, Mike. Unfortunately that hasn't worked. The couplers are now also too far into the frame when uncoupled.

20210802144304_1.jpg

20210802144310_1.jpg

Here's the receiving point values if it helps

Coupler Issue 5.jpg

Thanks!

[mrennie]

Without having the source model, it's difficult to see what's going on. but I suspect that it could be that the collision length isn't correct, or the centre of the model isn't actually in the centre, or the coupler pocket faces aren't the same distance from the centre, or a combination of these. The info I gave you works for a freight car that has its zero X (longitudinal) coordinate dead centre and pockets that are equal distances from the centre, and a collision length that's defined correctly.

The coupling receiving points don't do anything for buckeyes. I set them to the default values (1 in the diagonal cells from (0,0) to (3,3) and zero in all the other cells). The ones to edit are FrontCouplingPivot and RearCouplingPivot.

[ryan9550]

I managed to fix it!

20210816165405_1.jpg

The issue was where the coupled state of the coupler was in relation to its origin point

Coupler Before.jpg

Coupler After.jpg

Thanks again Mike for your help and input, it's greatly appreciated!

[Jurien72]

I have a couple questions here - first of all, you named your coupler 1_0250_knuckleclosed - in the documentation it states they have to be called 1_0064_coupled in order for the couplers to work. Has this changed?
Second question: Is there a certain distance from 0,0,0 to the origin point it needs to be? I'm assuming this is like the bar connection where it flips around?
Third question: So the pivot points go inboard of the collision box? I've read many posts stating they have to be outside of the collision box.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just really confused!

[ryan9550]

I have a couple questions here - first of all, you named your coupler 1_0250_knuckleclosed - in the documentation it states they have to be called 1_0064_coupled in order for the couplers to work. Has this changed?
Second question: Is there a certain distance from 0,0,0 to the origin point it needs to be? I'm assuming this is like the bar connection where it flips around?
Third question: So the pivot points go inboard of the collision box? I've read many posts stating they have to be outside of the collision box.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just really confused!

Sorry for the late reply.

Question 1-- As far as I know, the name given to the couplers doesn't really matter. As long as you're able to differentiate between "Coupled" and "Un-Coupled" states you should be fine to name it whatever you like. The "_0250_" and "_0064_" are just the distance that it's visible.

Question 2-- I'm not sure that I understand the question. For "Un-Coupled" states, the origin point needs to be at the base of the coupler, where it mounts to the car or locomotive, at 0,0,0. Like in this picture.

uncoupled.jpg

For the "Coupled" states, the origin point needs to be somewhere close to the pulling face of the knuckle at 0,0,0. Like in this picture

coupled.jpg

Question 3-- The pivot point is where, as far as I know, the "Coupled" state of the coupler couples to another coupler. The collision box just needs to be the length of the car or locomotive. So those posts would be correct in saying the pivot points need to be outside of the collision box. If you need help with figuring out all of those figures, I recommend this site as a good start- https://www.christrains.com/en/ts_faq_p ... s_new.html

I would also recommend taking mrennie's advice that he gave me. Because he knows a lot more than I do about making things for the game.

I hope this advice helps you or anybody else that's looking for this information.

Thanks for Reading!!

[Jurien72]

Ahh thanks for the answers! And yes, you managed to answer my question in question #2. (I sometimes don't know the best way to phrase the question) Basically, the entire coupler has to move between "coupled" and "uncoupled" states, in reference to the 0,0,0 point.

[ryan9550]

Ahh thanks for the answers! And yes, you managed to answer my question in question #2. (I sometimes don't know the best way to phrase the question) Basically, the entire coupler has to move between "coupled" and "uncoupled" states, in reference to the 0,0,0 point.

You're welcome!

Yes, as long as the two coupler models are set up that way, they will look and function properly.