UE3 - UT3 Sub-objects of mesh not animation on export

[Dakatsu]

I have a mesh, and using ActorX, exported it and some animations (Reload, Cock, ScopeOut, and ScopeIn for starters). I am using 3dsmax 9 with the latest version of ActorX.

The object has a tree like this:

BODY
  CLIP
    BULLET
  LENS
  STOCK
  TRIGGER

Now, the body will load fine, when I rotate it back for example, it will do that in UED4. However, if I move any sub-objects, nothing happens. The funny thing is I can load it in UT2004/UED3 without any problems; the mesh and its sub-objects will animate perfectly fine as it appears in the 3d program. I have tried multiple meshes many times, but it just doesn't work under any circumstances. Any help would be appreciated, as I really have no idea what could cause this...

 

[ng.aniki]

you can try to skin (something really basic, weight at 0 or 1 depending on the sub object) those parts, and anime the bones ?

 

[The_Head]

Sounds like the same issue I had this semester at uni working in Source.

Before you try what Aniki suggested, try placing a bone where the clip is (for example) and using select+link to the clip. Move the bone rather than the clip. The clip will follow, and as its the bones being animated it might work.

That's the case in the Source engine anyway, worth a shot before using skin as its a lot quicker.

 

[Dakatsu]

Most likely a stupid question; I know what a bone is and what it is designed to do, but how do I create them in 3ds max?

 

[esJ]

Toolbar on the right Create->Systems->Bones

And yeah everything has to be weighted to a bone in Source, I would imagine it's the same in UE3 (animating using objects is dumb anyway).

 

[Dakatsu]

Toolbar on the right Create->Systems->Bones

And yeah everything has to be weighted to a bone in Source, I would imagine it's the same in UE3 (animating using objects is dumb anyway).

That makes good limbs, but since my model needs a clip that can move far away from the model, I need "seperated" bones, ones I can have connected to eachother but move independantly on their own if need be.

(Sorry, the previous engine I worked with had bones created by creating a low poly sphere and checking "Bone" under its export options, so I am new to this kind of rigging)