Since our MAX files are incompatible, I'll try to explain what I do for drag chute animation using scaling vertices.
First, I build the drag chute in it's deployed condition:
Now, the problem is that if I select all the verticies to scale them (in animation), the scaling will only do it around the 'center' of the selected verticies:
You can see that the scaling will not be right...it will 'scale' several meters from the aircraft. How to fix?
First, zoom WAY out. Like this picture:
The circled red area is the whole aircraft. Now, select the drag chute, and select 'Insert vertex'.
Put a new vertex in the middle of the parachute...but WAAAY forward on the Y axis. Like this (circled red area):
You only need one. What this does is cause the 'center' of all the vertices of the drag chute to move forward, like this:
Now, you can animate using vertex scaling! Usually I compress the drag chute first so it becomes a thin rod:
Then scale it into the jet. In reverse, it looks like the chute comes out compacted, then 'fills' with air.
I also use TCB for the animation controller for vertice scaling.
I hope this gives you an idea on how I animate drag chutes.
FastCargo