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Luis Zeno Jr
Rotten Apples
The Helicopter task was not easy at all. It took me days to be find a solution on how to properly get this component to function. But it is one of the biggest accomplishments in my opinion right next to the throwing mechanic as it is the first time I ever worked on an aerial type vehicle. It made me feel it's possible to do anything.
I first gone off and worked on animating the helicopter. The project lead was kind enough to get me a helicopter component complete with skeleton and mesh to accomplish this task. The first reference I found discuss in detail on how to make turn the helicopter into an AI that would fly around the city. However, there were several major problems centering around the reference I have found. The first was that the tutorial started from Unreal 4, but we are currently using the latest Unreal 5. Although there is a way to convert some of the nodes, details, and components, the second issue I found was time. We didn't have much time to work the helicopter, and needed something quick and effective as possible.
Although it helped me animated the helicopter, I needed it to fly around the level. So I learn of a method where the AI would go from one waypoint to the next. The problem is that the method is for anything that is on the ground. Good for people and vehicles. Not good for something that is aerial base. When I discuss the issue with the project lead, he refer to me to a new method, Spline.
I was given a reference video to follow along with this new skill I never even heard of or known at that time. It was something similar to creating a roller coaster ride. After following the instructions carefully and tested it out, I was thrilled at how it worked. For a couple of moments, since the helicopter did move, but it didn't move like it was suppose to, flying forward and then flying in reverse. I manage to find another reference about spline implementation and utilize it myself which given the correct motion of a helicopter flying.
I added in audio to go along with the helicopter moving and give the feeling of an actual helicopter flying around the city.
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