You can load the file NOVAEX23.NOV to get more information about this example.
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This is a complete
example of a Finger Gate. The gate has two modules at an angle because most
gates are not all straight or at 90 degrees. This one has a
shape much like the real ones.
All distances and lengths are based on a scale of 1/32, using Superscale5(32). That is, if an element has a length of 3 meters I will enter 3 x 32 = 96 meters in the appropriate box. A description of the most important points for each module follows.
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Detail of the main panel
data entry.
The first module is the module going to the terminal wall.
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This shows a
top view of the gate.
You can see that most modules have been made following the Y axis which does simplify the work. The first module is rotated 60 degrees and adjusted to the corner module after a few trials in the scenery. The last module, going to the body aircraft surface, also has a rotated module. I will use the term units instead of meters as the macro is based on a 1/32 scale. 30 units means 30 ÷ 32 meters which is close to 1 meter.
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Module 1: | North side is raised 30
units, this gives a nice small angle to the module.
Module is rotated 60 degrees. See Maximize table |
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Module 2: | I use the Polygon in a vertical position to make the corner. | ![]() |
Modules 3-4: | Both use the Cube and are extensions of the gate. Modules 3 and 4 also have the North or back side raised. The purpose of raising the North or back side is to give the gate a descending angle view. | ![]() |
Module 5: | Another Cube, but this one has the side door where the stair is placed. | |
Module 6: | Once again I use
the Polygon to start making a corner. You can see in the right graphic
how the sides are made at an angle of 25 degrees to place module 7.
The Polygon is placed in a vertical position. |
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Module 7: | The final module placed
close to the aircraft. The front side of the cube is beveled by 20 units. The module is also rotated of 25 degrees, (360-335)-25, see maximize table for this.
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Front left and right base | I use the Cube with no special options. | ||
Left and right wheels | I use
the Wheel tool. The wheel uses a full texture of 64x64 pixels and is the best
and fastest way to make it. Wheels are turned 90 degrees to point to the right heading. See maximize table |
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Wheels axis | Made using the Cube with the shaded option to give a brighter and cylindrical shaped look. | ||
Wheel
axis top supports 1 and 2 |
Probably the
most interesting pieces of the structure due to their construction. I
have highlighted the right support in red to see its position.
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This part uses the
Polygon placed in a horizontal position. This will allow making this
part with the required shape.
Since the Polygon is placed in a horizontal position it is better if you place the lower side of the polygon at an altitude of zero. In the picture side 6 will remain at ground level. Of course the part will be placed at the required altitude using the altitude box option available for all tools.
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Another interesting option in NOVA and with some tools is the Inverted control box. Due to the angle Side 5 is not visible from the right side and in normal conditions. This is why I have to Invert this side to make it visible. |
Stair base | Made using the Cube, no special options used | |
Stair | Made using the Cube and the Skew option | |
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The
procedures to make a stair using the cube are easy and as follows:
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Stair handrail 1 | ![]() |
The stair
handrail is made using the Bridge. The road width will become the stair width. The bridge will need to be rotated 180 degrees to get the right heading in the structure. |
Stair handrail 2 | ![]() |
This part
uses the Fence tool.
This shows all the connecting points and posts. |
The following modules can be maximized:
- Sequence 9 and 10, front base modules
- Sequence 11 and 12, the wheels
- Sequence 14 and 15, the axis parts
Notes:
- Sequence 18 and 19 are two identical parts and only placed at a different altitude. Since the parts are placed or entered in sequence order you cannot maximize sequence 19 to use 18 because sequence 18 will already contain 19 as well.
- Maximizing sequences only applies for parts placed at different (X,Y) locations NOT at different altitudes.
- To learn more about the maximize option click here.