Configuring the part animation

  1. In the Project window, click on the imported FBX object.

  2. In the Inspector window, click on the Animation tab.

  3. Set Anim. Compression to Off.

  4. Split the animation into four states in the Clips list: retracted, deploy, deployed and retract.

    • The retracted and deployed states are a single frame.

    • You should prefix these states with the part name to avoid confusion if multiple parts of the mod contain animation.


  1. Drop the part under model and unpack it completely.


  2. In the Part folder, create an Animation Controller.


  3. Double-click on the controller to open the Animator tab.

  4. Drag the four states into the Animator tab.

    • Start with retracted so that it automatically links to Entry, then the other three.


  5. In the Animator Parameters tab, create:

    • a boolean isDeployed,

    • a trigger reverseAnimStateChange,

    • a float playbackMul with a value of 10.


  1. Create the transitions between states:

    • entry → retracted,

    • retracted ↔ deploy,

    • deploy → deployed,

    • deployed ↔ retract,

    • retract → retracted.


  1. Click on the transition from retracted to deploy:

    • set Exit Time to 0,

    • uncheck Has Exit Time,

    • uncheck Fixed Duration (in Settings),

    • set Transition Duration to 0,

    • add the boolean isDeployed = True to the list of conditions,

    • check the animation by playing it in the preview window.


  1. Perform the same operation on the transition from deployed to retract, except that isDeployed = False.

  2. Click on the transition from deploy to retracted:

    • set Exit Time to 0,

    • set Transition Duration to 0,

    • add the reverseAnimStateChange trigger to the list of conditions.


  1. Perform the same operation on the transition from retract to deployed.

  2. Click on the retracted state: Add the Module_Anim State Informer module.

  3. Perform the same operation on deployed.

  4. Click on the transition from deploy to deployed:

    • set Exit Time to 0.99,

    • set Transition Duration to 0.01.

  5. Perform the same operation on the transition from retract to retracted.

  6. Click on each state and in Speed > Multiplier, select Parameter. It should automatically display playbackMul in the dropdown. This is for playing the animation ten times faster in the VAB.


  8. On the mesh, add the Animator module and select the controller under Controller.


  1. On the root part, click Add Component → Module_Deployable. Set Animator to the mesh.