First off I don't know much about "coding" but I get what you're saying I had to fill in the blanks on a few mods in the configs for parts that existed in the files but weren't showing up in-game because they were labeled wrong, but near as I can tell I believe the modders have to use the codes that are available, like on deadbob777's '05 Mustang (CMS21) it's a two door mod, but on the fuel filler door it's labeled "left rear door" so it opens/closes when clicked on because "left rear door" exists in the files, if it was labeled "fuel filler cap" it wouldn't work because it's not in the files and the modders have to use different words for the parts they are adding that won't conflict with other part names that currently exist in-game

Yeah, I get that you have to use certain 'names' for parts cuz we're limited to what's in the game coding. And, in your example, that makes perfect sense....it is a sort of 'door' after all. What I don't get is when they do that even though the game already has a perfect code name for the part......like in my example. The 'clamshell' front and rear seems to be unknown name for some modders. It's a perfect one for using when they want to put in an skid plate on a truck for example or create their own engine compartment with accessory details for example. Just seems like there needs to be a list of these code / part names posted for would be modders.

The problem with changing names in the parts list--which then needs to be updated in the part thumb pics--is that the names they used are compiled into the car file. So, if you use the wrong name....for a body window let's say....in your body config, the game won't recognize there's suppose to be a body window on the car. This is one example of course and doesn't always happen but, it does happen. For example, I'm working with a GTX and can't for the life of me get the game to put the proper body window in.....cuz I want the tinted one....which they've labeled 'window_body_left_12. Normally it would just be _left2 and the underscore followed by a 12 seems to be throwing it off. I tried renaming it....the way it SHOULD be (imo) _left2 and changed it in parts list as well as part thumbs. This works for me to buy it and put it in myself but, can't get the car to default to it by adding it in the bodyconfig.

Edit: Ok, so got it sorted on my current bodyconfig issue. Under [Tuning] I needed to code it as this;
window_body_left_1=window_body_left_12
window_body_right_1=window_body_right_12

and what I had been coding (because that's how it is in my bodyconfig template) is;
window_body_left =window_body_left_12
window_body_right =window_body_right_12

THIS ^^ is why I wish modders used a standardized way to code these things. Making the base part with an underscore and 1 at end just throws a monkey wrench in the mix. lol

Right! "clamshell" works nicely for an off/on part ,and you do have to find work around's when modding, but I hate it when they use "clamshell" on a mod when they simply could use "hood" or "trunk" so the part will pivot open/shut when they use clamshell you can only take it off/on