Consolidating parameter dials

Aabhnormal

Hey all, I'm building a model in Daz (from Blender) and I have a question. 

In Daz, I have parts that move (For example, I have a vertical stabilizer that has a rudder).  I had to add a null object to the rudder to get it to move correctly (because the center point was in the center of the rudder), and I locked all of the parameter dials except the Y-rotate. 

But this model (an airplane, naturally) has a LOT of moving parts.  So, let's say lowering the landing gear requires me clicking on the landing door, clicking on the null, rotating the null, clicking on the other landing door, rotating THAT null, etc....  And some things need a Y translate and some need an x rotate so even when I specially name them, I'm scrolling up and down on the parameters tab... it's not really THAT big of an issue, but it would be really cool if I could somehow put all of the parameter dials that actually DO things on the main body object.  It would even be cooler if I could somehow link parameter dials to a DIFFERENT parameter dial that says, for example "Landing doors open/close" which would just open all six of the gear doors.

 

I feel like I've seen this somewhere... can someone point me to a tutorial on this.  Or if it's not possible, that's cool, I'll just click through everything :)  This would just save me a ton of time.

 

Thanks! 

Richard Haseltine

The Joint Editor tool will allow you to move the centre point, but I think you would do better to turn this into a figure rather than a set of parented props.

Aabhnormal

That sounds awesome! I'll use the joint editor.  

 

If I make a figure out of it (Which sounds great), would I still be able to extend/retract things, like flaps? I sort of envision figures as being like people: bendy and stretchy... 

 

Is there a tutorial on that somewhere?

 

Thank you!