Change Unit Height on Morph

[Spellbound]

So I want to create this 'drop down from orbit' effect on Morph.*.Finish, but I'm having a lot of trouble to get that to work with dummy models attached to invisible ones that stretch down. So instead I'm trying Modify Unit to change the height of the unit directly. The problem I'm having now is I have no idea how to apply an effect during the various stages of a Morph upgrade.

My base unit is called Engineer. It starts morphing, but since it morphs into an air unit (it has a long name, so I'll just call it 'Ship'), its height automatically switches to the Ship's height. That's the first height I need to change (unless someone has a better solution). I tried multiple actions from Set Height to Force Set Height to another one I can't even remember the name, but not a single one works. I tried changing the height of the Ship after it's created but again, no work.

So on morph start, I set the opacity of the Engineer to 0 and create a dummy model for it. Since the model is attached to the Engineer, and the Engineer is now floating in the sky, the dummy model is stuck at the same height as well. on morph end, I set the opacity of the Ship to 0 and create its dummy model that's attached to an invisible model that stretches down to simulate a drop-down-from-orbit effect. That's proven to not work as the game insists in having both models inherit the stretching factor, which looks dumb as shit. So instead, I'm thinking on just not making the Ship invisible and change it's height through Modify Unit. Unfortunately, I haven't the faintest idea how to apply the Modify Unit on the Engineer / Ship.

Help

PS: I have no tried triggers yet. I'm told triggers are notoriously laggy in Sc2, or at least that you should do everything you can in the Data Editor before you even think of touching triggers. Any truth to that?

 

[Dr Super Good]

Since the building is on ground, morph from a ground unit to a ground unit. The entire "drop-down-from-orbit effect" is then simulated by offsetting the model. It might be possible with actor events alone, otherwise maybe site operators are needed for the offset.

 

[Spellbound]

I did manage to make something with Modify Unit, but it's a bit hacky and you can see the Engineer zip skywards. I'll probably remake it completely with your suggestion now that I'm a bit more familiar with effects and behaviours.

I've tried using stuff like Force Set Height but not a single one of those height-related event actions worked. Is there a way to apply a SOp Local Offset over a period of time? Like you apply the SOp and it takes X seconds to move the actor to that location?

PS: how do you make a morph cancellable?

 

[Dr Super Good]

I've tried using stuff like Force Set Height but not a single one of those height-related event actions worked. Is there a way to apply a SOp Local Offset over a period of time? Like you apply the SOp and it takes X seconds to move the actor to that location?

Not entirely sure but it is all down to interpolation. I would imagine if one could change the site operator used over a period of time then it would gracefully come down.

PS: how do you make a morph cancellable?

Ability data for the morph. Check out most Zerg morph abilities which can be cancelled.