The attached file, "Attach_Sample.mdl", shows how to add a Smoke AttachEffect or a Sensor AttachPoint to a MDL file. There is an example file, "aim-7-attach-example.mdl", also attached for your reference if needed. It has two attach points added, One at the nose and one at the tail. Open the file "Attach_Sample.mdl" in notepad++ for complete instructions.
General notes on STK's MDL model files. Model files are arranged in a hierarchy of components. A component can contain primitives that define the shape of the component (such as a polygon or a cylinder), parameters that describe it in some way (such as color or shininess), or primitives that refer to other components. In the hierarchy, the component is the parent of all primitives and subcomponents contained within. A primitive that refers to a component is the parent of that component.
A model file is not necessarily ordered sequentially from the beginning of the file. The Root designator, which must be contained in one and only one component, signifies the top of the hierarchy for the model. The hierarchy begins with the component specified as Root and traverses down the hierarchy, building each of the components included in the model file.
MDL files are plain text files. The edits can be done in most text editors. Don't use notepad, as it introduces unwanted carriage returns.
In a typical PC install of STK, models are found in the following location:
C:\Program Files\AGI\STK 11\STKData\VO\Models
Copy an MDL file to a location of your choosing.
Remove the read only flag. (Right-click the file and select Properties. At the bottom of the panel in the Attributes section, remove the Read-only flag).
Both attachments are .mdl files, but they have had their extensions removed for security purposes. Once downloaded, re-append the extension.
