Returning to Gmod after several years

[RedBrox]

Hello all, returning player after about 4 years of inactivity. Got an itch for building again. I last played in 2013... I'm a serious builder. I love projects, I mainly focus on trucks, cars and airplanes. Or shit that blows other shit up, so like tanks. Definitely like military vehicles too. Okay sorry for the life story. I'm going to list the addons I use, and would like to know if there's anything better or something you guys would recommend.

Addons:

SmartSnap
Wiremod
ACF Weight Stool
ACF **Where can I get the latest version? I currently have one downloaded from Workshop, split into 3 parts**
Precision Alignment
EasyPrecision
No Collide All/Multi
Multi Parent
Adv. Ballsocket
SmartWeld
Adv. Duplicator

Props:
PHX
Sprops

Few questions:

- A lot of the stool addons are from 2-3+ years ago. Should I have a problem with them?
- Please recommend any addons you think I should use. I'd like to get very seriously back into building projects and cool shit. Just have to get used to the game again.

Thanks for reading!

[RileyGuy1000]

[QUOTE=Moronist;51815812]Hello all, returning player after about 4 years of inactivity. Got an itch for building again. I last played in 2013... I'm a serious builder. I love projects, I mainly focus on trucks, cars and airplanes. Or shit that blows other shit up, so like tanks. Definitely like military vehicles too. Okay sorry for the life story. I'm going to list the addons I use, and would like to know if there's anything better or something you guys would recommend.

Addons:

SmartSnap
Wiremod
ACF Weight Stool
ACF **Where can I get the latest version? I currently have one downloaded from Workshop, split into 3 parts**
Precision Alignment
EasyPrecision
No Collide All/Multi
Multi Parent
Adv. Ballsocket
SmartWeld
Adv. Duplicator

Props:
PHX
Sprops

Few questions:

- A lot of the stool addons are from 2-3+ years ago. Should I have a problem with them?
- Please recommend any addons you think I should use. I'd like to get very seriously back into building projects and cool shit. Just have to get used to the game again.

Thanks for reading![/QUOTE]

I see you have EasyPrecision on there, but might I recommend precision alignment? It's a bit harder to use, but it is way more precise.

[Battlefan1942]

Welcome back to this hell hole.

You can find the most recent version of ACF here [url]https://github.com/nrlulz/ACF[/url]

Advanced duplicator 1 is obsolete go with Adv dupe 2 instead [url]https://github.com/wiremod/advdupe2[/url]

Since you're a serious builder this may come in handy for you [url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=839699169[/url]

That's about all i can think of
good luck finding an actual build server.

[RedBrox]

[QUOTE=RileyGuy1000;51815951]I see you have EasyPrecision on there, but might I recommend precision alignment? It's a bit harder to use, but it is way more precise.[/QUOTE]

I already have PA! Love that tool. Thanks though.

[QUOTE=Battlefan1942;51816287]Welcome back to this hell hole.

You can find the most recent version of ACF here [url]https://github.com/nrlulz/ACF[/url]

Advanced duplicator 1 is obsolete go with Adv dupe 2 instead [url]https://github.com/wiremod/advdupe2[/url]

Since you're a serious builder this may come in handy for you [url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=839699169[/url]

That's about all i can think of
good luck finding an actual build server.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the ACF link. And that blueprints add on looks bad ass. Appreciate it!

[YourStalker]

All the addons you mentioned are still around and are classics. [url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=131586620]Here[/url] is the newest version of Smart Weld managed by yours truly.

[RedBrox]

[QUOTE=YourStalker;51819956]All the addons you mentioned are still around and are classics. [url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=131586620]Here[/url] is the newest version of Smart Weld managed by yours truly.[/QUOTE]

Awesome, thanks for the clarification. And thanks for managing smart weld! Before I learned how to parent, I very much relied on Smart Welding my 200+ prop lag fests.

[Elon musk]

I have a good server you can go on I regularly go on

Vehicle Heaven 3.1 ip 46.4.66.181:27015

Note it requires you to have a certain amount of hours to join

[RedBrox]

[QUOTE=SirWolfAlot;51826942]I have a good server you can go on I regularly go on

Vehicle Heaven 3.1 ip 46.4.66.181:27015

Note it requires you to have a certain amount of hours to join[/QUOTE]

Thanks. Uhh does ~700 hours count?

[Elon musk]

[QUOTE=Moronist;51827889]Thanks. Uhh does ~700 hours count?[/QUOTE]

sadly you need 1k hours but thats to keep noobs out. I have more servers just the restrictions.

[eziam1]

[QUOTE=SirWolfAlot;51829150]sadly you need 1k hours but thats to keep noobs out. I have more servers just the restrictions.[/QUOTE]

1,000 hours is way beyond absurd

[CMPunkBITW]

[QUOTE=SirWolfAlot;51829150]sadly you need 1k hours but thats to keep noobs out. I have more servers just the restrictions.[/QUOTE]

what do you mean "i have"

your not the owner of VH, lol

also isn't it technically server advertising?

[Corvezeo]

Welcome back to the gmod community, always nice to see old members checking it out once again!

[Derek_SM]

[QUOTE=SirWolfAlot;51829150]sadly you need 1k hours but thats to keep noobs out. I have more servers just the restrictions.[/QUOTE]

I have ~20k hours but I'm still a piece of shit.

[RedBrox]

Well it's nothing special, but I thought I'd show you guys my progress. Finally found some time to sit down and build, and here's what I've sank some time into. As with all things in gmod, neither of these will ever be finished.

[IMG]http://imgur.com/EH9x7av.jpg[/IMG]

The vehicle on the left is something reminiscent of the US Army's Palletized Loading System. Halfway through building it, I realized that my dimensions were completely fucked and I spaced the wheels way too far apart. But I said fuck it and decided to try and make it look decent. Still have to add a retractable crane and deployable bed.

The airplane on the right is a Cessna/Piper Cub mashup completely set up with Fin and adjustable throttle / trim. Still have to add in flaps, nose gear steering and a little more detail. Now if only Adv Dupe wouldn't butt fuck everything I make, that'd be nice.

Bonus pics of my shitboxes:

[IMG]http://imgur.com/vMWwkC0.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://imgur.com/8NRVCqt.jpg[/IMG]

Couple questions: Is there any other way to make Adv Dupe not fuck some things up when you save things? I already know about freezing everything and having it face a certain way (depends on map). Just wondering because half of my build time is redoing things that AdvDupe messed up while saving.

If you're interested in acquiring either of these, or just want to fuck around with them, let me know. I'll give you the pre parent copy and the working* copies. Or you can just tell me that my contraptions are shit and I should never play Gmod again, either works. Thanks for taking a look.

[RedBrox]

That moment when you find out you never downloaded AdvDupe2 when you thought you did, so you assumed you were using it, when it really was AdvDupe 1.. /facepalm

[VitasLoWang]

I would suggest multi unparent, but when I see your beautiful creations I guess you either already have it or don't need it :)

[RedBrox]

The latest WIP while I can. I'm uploading a video in the troubleshooting section, I'm completely new to hydro + PA suspension. Everything is a fucking wreck, as far as it driving steadily. I've been building a cheap slave labor truck, and when I had ACF + suspension problems with that, I made a dune buggy for troubleshooting. But here are some screens:

[IMG]http://imgur.com/iZafs68.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://imgur.com/Vfyp8Js.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://imgur.com/v5Qn2Lg.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://imgur.com/0erpzky.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=VitasLoWang;51952111]I would suggest multi unparent, but when I see your beautiful creations I guess you either already have it or don't need it :)[/QUOTE]

Thanks! And I do have unparent, it's an amazing tool for me for now. That is until I can learn how to holo.

[MaxShadow]

This may not be very useful for any serious building, but one thing that really caught my attention when I returned to the game is the concept of Polywelding:
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=344795193[/url]

It basicly merges the physics object of many props into one, like parenting but with collision. It is, however, quite buggy, and you can't do much with polywelded stuff. You can't even save it with ADVDUPE (but you can save it frozen and polyweld it after loading it). I find it useful for building structures without lag or ships with SBEP parts.

Some other cool tools for building:

- Localized Physics
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=531849338[/url]
(Make props change the gravity when you step on them, if you like to build spaceships)

- Fin 2 and Wire Fin Controller
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=165509582[/url]
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=251037184[/url]
(If you like to build aircraft, this one is better than the wing tool.)

- Improved Stacker and Improved Weight
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=264467687[/url]
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=586675254[/url]
(You probably know these already)

- Axis and Ballsocket Centre
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=457466766[/url]
(Faster way to apply those contraints at the center of a prop)

- Mass Center
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=167306064[/url]
(Display the center of mass of a contraption)

- Make Spherical
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=136318146[/url]
(Very useful to make wheels)

- Prop Lock
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=117904674[/url]
(So you don't accidentally hit the wrong props with your physgun or toolgun while building)

- Redo Button
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=796294821[/url]
(Self explanatory)

- Sub Material Tool
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=405793043[/url]
(Change specific props materials instead of painting them entirely)

- Tank Track Tool
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=737640184[/url]
(Visual only tank track maker, it looks really cool)

- Anything with "Smart" in its name (?

I think ACF comes with a weight/armor tool now, so you don't need the one on the workshop. I also found this github with custom ACF stuff, but I haven't tried it yet. Seems to be a bit outdated:
[url]https://github.com/bouletmarc/ACF_CustomMod[/url]

And thats pretty much all I use.
By the way, nice designs you got there. Right now I'm experimenting with ACF mobility stuff, trying to build tanks and other armored vehicles with motors etc, but I'm totally terrible at making chasis. Yours look really cool :cat:

[RedBrox]

[QUOTE=MaxShadow;51970745]This may not be very useful for any serious building, but one thing that really caught my attention when I returned to the game is the concept of Polywelding:
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=344795193[/url]

It basicly merges the physics object of many props into one, like parenting but with collision. It is, however, quite buggy, and you can't do much with polywelded stuff. You can't even save it with ADVDUPE (but you can save it frozen and polyweld it after loading it). I find it useful for building structures without lag or ships with SBEP parts.

Some other cool tools for building:

- Localized Physics
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=531849338[/url]
(Make props change the gravity when you step on them, if you like to build spaceships)

- Fin 2 and Wire Fin Controller
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=165509582[/url]
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=251037184[/url]
(If you like to build aircraft, this one is better than the wing tool.)

- Improved Stacker and Improved Weight
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=264467687[/url]
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=586675254[/url]
(You probably know these already)

- Axis and Ballsocket Centre
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=457466766[/url]
(Faster way to apply those contraints at the center of a prop)

- Mass Center
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=167306064[/url]
(Display the center of mass of a contraption)

- Make Spherical
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=136318146[/url]
(Very useful to make wheels)

- Prop Lock
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=117904674[/url]
(So you don't accidentally hit the wrong props with your physgun or toolgun while building)

- Redo Button
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=796294821[/url]
(Self explanatory)

- Sub Material Tool
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=405793043[/url]
(Change specific props materials instead of painting them entirely)

- Tank Track Tool
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=737640184[/url]
(Visual only tank track maker, it looks really cool)

- Anything with "Smart" in its name (?

I think ACF comes with a weight/armor tool now, so you don't need the one on the workshop. I also found this github with custom ACF stuff, but I haven't tried it yet. Seems to be a bit outdated:
[url]https://github.com/bouletmarc/ACF_CustomMod[/url]

And thats pretty much all I use.
By the way, nice designs you got there. Right now I'm experimenting with ACF mobility stuff, trying to build tanks and other armored vehicles with motors etc, but I'm totally terrible at making chasis. Yours look really cool :cat:[/QUOTE]

Hey thanks, I appreciate it. I wish I could build tanks and armored vehicles. One of these days. And I didn't know about a lot of those tools, especially the improved stacker and weight. Thanks for the links!

[VitasLoWang]

Maxshadow about polyweld - is it the same as multi parent with "weld" checkbox checked what do you think?

[MaxShadow]

[QUOTE=VitasLoWang;51976138]Maxshadow about polyweld - is it the same as multi parent with "weld" checkbox checked what do you think?[/QUOTE]

Nah, its different. As far as I know, when you check "weld" in a parenting tool, it parents the object visually, but the physics object is still there, with a normal weld. It may look like the object is perfectly stable, but it isn't. You can't see the physics object, but it still bends, spazzes and produces lag like a normal weld. Parenting is only useful when the collision is removed.

Polyweld is a different thing. It takes the physics object of every prop, and merges it into one object, like a new prop with a different model. It gives zero lag, and the final object is perfectly stable. However, it is quite buggy.