15 replies to this topic

[coder_1024]

The demo readme recommends that you issue the HALT command and enable A/P before leaving the ship. This makes sense, because you probably don't want the ship taking off and leaving you stuck on the planet. This instruction was provided in the context of landing the ship, and then leaving it.

I thought it would be neat to leave my ship at an alt of about 20,000 or so, and then launch out in a shuttle to check things out on the surface. That way my ship would be away from the "action".

The ship was hovering at around 20,000. I issued the HALT command, and enabled A/P. It then began dropping. I moved my AE out to the shuttle anyway, and launched. I watched as the ship eventually "crashed" into the water.

The readme only address the HALT/AP/exit situation in a context where you've landed the ship.

The BC3k manual simply indicates that the HALT command is used to hold at a location (or waypoint) and maintain radio silence.

Is the current behavior by design? If not, would it be possible to change this, so that you could issue a HALT command while the ship is hovering and have it remain in hover?

[Steve Schacher]

BC3K did not have the advanced planetary modeling that BCM has. The HALT command description that you quoted refers to halting in space.

BCM has added the effects of gravity when in a planet's atmosphere, so even though you are halted, you are being pulled down to the surface. HALT is not keeping you stationary when there is an opposing force pulling you down.

[Wolferz]

Try using VTOL if you wish the ship to hover.

[coder_1024]

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Try using VTOL if you wish the ship to hover.

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[/indent]

Yes, but isn't there the danger of the ship taking off on you if you just leave it in VTOL mode?

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BCM has added the effects of gravity when in a planet's atmosphere, so even though you are halted, you are being pulled down to the surface. HALT is not keeping you stationary when there is an opposing force pulling you down.

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[/indent]

I should have been clearer in my initial message. I was using VTOL, and was hovering nicely. When I issued the HALT command and enabled A/P, it switched out of VTOL and began dropping. I understand that HALT itself wouldn't keep me stationary in the gravitational field, however, I was questioning my experience that the HALT commancd caused the ship to switch *out of* VTOL mode.

My suggestion was to have a ship in VTOL mode that receives a HALT command just stay in VTOL mode and not do anything. Does it really need to switch out of VTOL mode?

[coder_1024]

Just wanted to follow up on this thread. Since my last post, I tried just leaving the ship in VTOL mode, and then moving my AE off to a shuttle to exit the ship in. As soon as my AE leaves the bridge, the ship drops out of VTOL mode. This time, I *did not* issue the HALT command.

[Supreme Cmdr]

The HALT command does exactly what it was designed to do. Learn how to use it, as per the instructions provided.

[Eclipse]

Set waypoints for the CC and tell it to follow them while you go off an explore.

[Joel Schultz]

Have you tried DISabling the A/P while in VTOL mode with "halt" issued? Or do you want the ships AI to have some control over it?

[coder_1024]

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Have you tried DISabling the A/P while in VTOL mode with "halt" issued? Or do you want the ships AI to have some control over it?

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[/indent]

I tried it again. This time, I was hovering, I issued the HALT command (but did not engage A/P). The ship's command now showed as HALT, and I was hovering nicely. But, as soon as my AE left the bridge, it switched out of VTOL and started dropping like a rock.

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Set waypoints for the CC and tell it to follow them while you go off an explore.

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[/indent]

I'm going to give this a try. I was concerned by something I read in the VCF, though. It says: "...If the AE is not on the bridge when the CC exhausts its waypoints, the ship now switches to HALT state...". So, I'm guessing that once you get to the last waypoint, its going to do a similar thing (i.e. drop out of the sky).

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The HALT command does exactly what it was designed to do. Learn how to use it, as per the instructions provided.

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[/indent]

The demo readme instructions only discuss the HALT command in the context of landing the craft, and then HALTing so you can exit it. The VCF doesn't say too much either, except for providing similar instruction to the readme. Also, there's the stuff I quoted above. I checked the BC3k manual, and the only thing it says about HALT is that it causes the ship to hold at its location and maintain radio silence.

What exactly does the HALT command do? It doesn't appear to cause the ship to hold a location. Why does a ship in VTOL, suddenly drop out of VTOL when issued a HALT command?

[coder_1024]

wohoo!!! :-) I think I've got it working. I setup a waypoint, and then set the command for the waypoint to be "Wait for Instructions". I then engaged the A/P. I observed it, and basically, the ship kept flying back to the waypoint, over and over again. Very cool! I then moved my AE out to a shuttle craft, and launched. I was able to do some formation flying with my CC. What a rush! :-)

So the trick is the, "Wait For Instructions" command, it appears.

Anyway, now I can leave my CC up at 30k alt, and send a shuttle in to do the "dirty-work" :-)

Thanks to all for the feedback!

The only thing is that it seems you would burn a lot of fuel flying around the waypoint all day. Is there a way to have your ship just sit at a hover, while you leave it? This also takes fuel, but maybe not as much?

[Wolferz]

You could also land the CC, and then go explore in a SC.

[Supreme Cmdr]

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So the trick is the, "Wait For Instructions" command, it appears

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[/indent]

...only if you want to do that

All you have to do to keep your CC at its current location, is to give it the HALT command from the command menu, enable the A/P, and then send your AE where you'd like.

This DOES work. So, I dunno why it doesn't work in the demo. When you issue the HALT command and turn on the A/P, you are doing the SAME thing that waypoint order does. You do NOT require a waypoint order to achieve this.

[coder_1024]

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You could also land the CC, and then go explore in a SC.

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[/indent]

true. i just don't want some baddies trying to come hassle the mothership! :-)

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All you have to do to keep your CC at its current location, is to give it the HALT command from the command menu, enable the A/P, and then send your AE where you'd like.

This DOES work. So, I dunno why it doesn't work in the demo. When you issue the HALT command and turn on the A/P, you are doing the SAME thing that waypoint order does. You do NOT require a waypoint order to achieve this.

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[/indent]

ok, understood. thats ok, because this will let me practice my formation flying skills :-) (if anyone hasn't tried this, it really rocks!!)

[Kush]

If you think THAT rocks, wait till you get the full game!!!!

[coder_1024]

biggrin.gif

[Supreme Cmdr]

Thats what you call formation flying? Pah!!
Try this in the E2 demo

1. Go to Tacops and pick a spot on the planet. Preferably in an area where there is a friendly base.
   
2. Create about 5 waypoints at different distances, altitudes and around the base, near water etc. Make sure WP #1-4 are all Proceed To Next and #5 is Repeat Actions
   
3. Now enter the planet. Your CC will appear above the location of WP #1
   
4. From the bridge, issue the Resume Waypoints order and turn on the A/P
   
5. Now launch as many fighters as you want and give them all the order to Escort CC
   
6. Now put your AE in one fighter and launch
   

Now go to some real formation flying

While you're at it, observe your other fighters in the F10 cam view, as they intercept the waypoints, fly in formation etc