Hovercraft engine

[Classicus]

What/where is the code that controls how the hovercraft engines behave? I would like to mod one so that it simple hovers just off the ground, rather than bobs up and down. Thanks.

[cephalopod]

Don't quote me on this 'cos I'm not sure, but I imagine it's one of those things hard-coded into the .exe.

[Classicus]

That's annoying, but I think you are right. I have changed most of the physics values but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I notice pon2n doesn't bob up and down but keeps a static height, what propulsion does that have?

[Trovaner]

Pon2n uses a hovercraft but IIRC it is using more than one. 

The unique behavior of flamethrowers, magnets, cannons, and hovercrafts are hard coded to behave the way they do.  We currently don't know how to edit them without modifying the EXE. If you want something more customizable than the hovercraft but less useful look at how Firebeetle made the Rocket Jet.

[Classicus]

Interesting, I will have a look, does anyone else have any ideas about making a robot glide? The robot I have in mind, I only want it to glide about 5-6 inches off the ground, literally like some sort of skimmer.

[cephalopod]

You could always create that impression using invisible wheels/components or something, I know that's not what you're looking for but it might be the next best thing

[Classicus]

Thanks I will try for my next robot.

[Clickbeetle]

Using multiple hovercraft engines reduces the amount of bobbing.
 
Knowing this, you can make a bot with the chassis (and hover engines) high up, and then build down to a few inches off the floor so the bot looks like it is just skimming.  This would work better in DSL since you have more big armor plates to give the bot a more solid appearance.
 
I think heavier bots also float lower so you can try making a SHW or UHW.
 
Edit:  I haven't tried it but you MIGHT also be able to make a really tall chassis, and raise the hover engines up inside it so the bottom of the chassis is closer to the floor... but not sure that would work.

[Somebody]

Also don't forget, If you put a component directly ended the engine, it will lift the bot infinitely. I would try the invisible wheels, maybe with a very low grip to simulate the gliding. Or you could mount them in extenders, which gives them no grip whatsoever.

[Classicus]

Thanks for the advice, I am still thinking about this bot, the main problem with the hovercraft engines is the bobbing, no matter what you still get it and that motion just doesn't suit the bot I have in mind. My idea is to have perhaps 'powerless' hover engines as just an aesthetic with low mass and use invisible wheels. How would I go about making a non-powered hover engine? Thanks.

[Mr. AS]

try copy-pasting the file for the stock caster (you will need to decompile components.cfz) and making it use the hovercraft's .gmf