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## Community “Playmode USI” for Wild Blue Industries mods ## What is does I love the Wild Blue Industries (WBI) mods – MOLE, DSEV, Pathfinder, Buffalo. Great models, useful parts, attention to detail, and lots of good ideas which enhance my gameplay experience, such as the configurable templates. In all my long-term career saves I am also pretty much committed to the Community Resource Pack and Umbra Space Industries (USI) ecosystems, particularly Life Support and Kolonization. Most of the parts I am using (e.g. lots of Nertea’s stuff) have some support or compatibility for CRP and USI. At some point there was at least basic USI-LS support, but then one day the USI config mechanics changed (towards swappable bays with swsapoptions), and those patches became outdated. I used to roll my own, also very basic, based on the CRP playmode in WBI. That, however, is also no longer actively developed. So, instead of trying to patch something that itself might become outdated, I have bitten the bullet and present you the results of my work… integrating USI support (focusing on Life Support and Kolonization) into the WBI mods as a dedicated playmode which can thus be switched on or off as desired. “So it is just some MM patches for Pathfinder etc, not really a mod!” You could say so. It is basically “just” configuration files which are mostly applied using module manager. However, I am utilizing the awesome and powerful “playmode” feature of WBI to do more than just swapping out a part module here and there. With this feature, defining a “playmode” gives broad control over which templates are applied to the different parts, allowing to disable or change a lot of things (which would be totally possible with MM patches alone, but a lot more work). This playmode is built upon the existing “CRP” playmode, with some items adapted also from ClassicStock, but disables, changes and adds some modules (habitation, life support), templates or converter recipes. ## Design Considerations WBI and USI are based on somewhat different philosophies and design principles: * Long-term colonization, especially with closed-loop resource flow, is hard vs. * Early stations and flexible space-camping, short-term habitation expandable to long-term colonization Personally, I do enjoy both approaches and I do not see them as conflicting, but rather as highly complementary for my playstyle. To integrate (Pathfinder/MOLE/etc.) well with USI LS and MKS, balancing the capabilities to account for the different philosophies is important, ensuring that the parts fill a specific niche and are not generally overpowered or useless. What’s In Based on the existing “CRP” playmode, with some changes and additions Specifically, adds in USI-LS as life support system: LS recyclers, LS habitation, WBI greenhouses produce supplies (via agroponics or cultivation), Supplies/Mulch/Fertilizer as resource where appropriate, … Some changes to templates/omniconverters to be closer to the MKS production chains where appropriate Production parts acting as MKS efficiency modules where appropriate Integration of WBI resource sharing/distribution and MKS logistics on the table (see ROADMAP) WBI parts generally don’t enable closed-loop long-term colonization and are usually less efficient than comparable MKS/USILS parts. Keep in mind, though, that WBI parts are already very powerful and useful on their own with their template switching abilities and general capabilities. What’s Out This is not a scientific dissertation about perfectly balancing colonization parts. I have used as-is parts analysis, best judgement, personal preferences as well as the official MKS balancing guidelines. Most things “feel right” to me. Some may be a bit off. There might also be some mistakes on my part. If you think something is vastly off scale, let me know and we’ll discuss it. No repackaging all of MKS’ functionality in WBI parts. It is not my goal to create WBI templates for the complete MKS production chain, for instance. I want the parts to complement, not replace, each other. Some overlap is normal, and some Pathfinder and MOLE modules give you much earlier production capabilities than MKS – but at a cost of generally being less efficient. No “total conversion” of WBI. Pathfinder remains Pathfinder, and MOLE remains MOLE. E.g the greenhouses work totally different from USILS/MKS (you have to wait some time for a harvest, and the yield might be lower than anticipated), and that’s what I like about them as complementary things for my stations and bases. No changes to Tech Tree placements (Stock and CTT). Current placements mean that MOLE & Pathfinder parts come much earlier than MKS (especially in CTT). This makes sense in the overall design (early stations, camping before colonization), fits my playstyle, and I don’t intend to do any changes here. ## Is it safe to drop into an existing game? Short answer: most likely NO! Long answer: it depends. It is based on the existing CRP playmode, but there are some changes. Your active stations and bases WILL be impacted – some positive (LS and habitation functions), some negative (converter recipe changed or outright no longer available). Upon first activation and switching to a vessel there is a high chance of nullref spam. It might be repairable (->see Common Issues and Resolutions), but in a worst case that vessel is no longer usable and has to be terminated. If you are using ClassicStock playmode, DO NOT SWITCH TO THIS PLAYMODE! It is NOT compatible with ClassicStock – absolutely everything is different! All your classicstock resources will be gone, your production chains useless, and your bases decorative only! USI is basically CRP with specific production chains as in MKS, and life support from USI-LS. ClassicStock is very different from this, and fundamentally makes not a lot of sense to forcefully combine with USI. TLDR; Make a backup of your save before activating this playmode! If you are using CRP playmode and have few active stations/bases, give it a try. If you are using ClassicStock playmode, DO NOT activate this for your current save! ## Download, Installation & How to use Install prerequisites (ModuleManager, not bundled!). Any WBI and USI mods are technically not a dependency, but what do you expect this one here will do without them? Download and install mod from the github releases: Install path must be $KSP_DIR/GameData/WildBluePlaymodeUSI !Any other folder path will lead to the templates not being properly found and switched by the WBI Playmode Switcher! Start KSP (your WBI playmode is something <> USI). Use the WBI playmode switcher to switch to playmode USI. DO NOT CONTINUE PLAYING, THE SWITCHED PLAYMODE IS NOT YET ACTIVE! Immediately exit and restart KSP. Your playmode should now be USI. UPDATE WARNING: *YOU MUST TREAT UPDATES AS NEW INSTALLS!* Download new release Delete previous folder completely: $KSP_DIR/GameData/WildBluePlaymodeUSI Unpack new release. Start KSP, LOAD A BLANK NEW SAVE (not your precious long-term career one with active flights!) Playmode switcher will indicate you are in USI (which is not correct, but it doesn’t know), switch to “CRP”. Klick OK. Immediately open playmode switcher again, switch to USI. Klick OK. Exit & restart KSP. You’re good to go now! ## Common Issues and Resolutions ## Support and Contribution Prerequisite: reading the design considerations, what’s in scope/out of scope, as well as common issues and resolutions. If you think something should be added/changed/removed: (Good) make a concrete proposal here on the forum (i.e. “make part x be a hab module with following kerbalmonths” instead of “part x is no good”) (Better) write and test the appropriate configuration / MM patch and post it here (Hero!) make a github pull request And especially regarding issues/support: This mod is community developed, and is in no way endorsed or supported by Angel-125 (WBI) or RoverDude (USI)! DO NOT GO TO WBI OR USI THREADS WITH SUPPORT ISSUES OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS PLAYMODE! If I find out that Angel-125 or RoverDude are pestered with stuff from this mod, I might have to consider pulling this. Thanks for your comprehension. ## Credits WBIPlaymodeUSI builds upon and existentially requires the excellent "Wild Blue Industries" mods by @Angel-125. Config files in this mod are based on, adapted from, or outright copied from, config files which are the creative works and intellectual property of Michael Billard, and are licensed under the GNU General Public License, v3. Wild Blue Industries is a copyright trademark of Michael Billard. All Rights Reserved by him. See: https://github.com/Angel-125 WBIPlaymodeUSI builds upon and existentially requires the excellent "Umbra Space Industries" mods by @RoverDude. Config files in this mod are based on, adapted from, or outright copied from, config files which are the creative works and intellectual property of Robert Palmer, and are licensed under the GNU General Public License, v3. Umbra Space Industries is a copyright trademark of Robert Palmer. All Rights Reserved by him. See: https://github.com/UmbraSpaceIndustries ______________________________________________________________________________________ ## ROADMAP [done] bring onto CKAN Evaluate integration of resource sharing/distribution/logistics mechanisms o Side-by-side running, or o Integration, or o Complete replacement of one system with the other More work on the production chains and load/efficiency thing Evaluate support for BARIS Supporting upcoming features in USI Konstruction and LifeSupport (USI's Workshop and DeepFreeze alternatives)

This is a place for sharing your creations from @Angel-125's Wild Blue Industries set of mods. From bases to airships and everything in between, its welcome here! WBI consists of : Deep Space Exploration Vessels (DSEV) Pathfinder Buffalo Mark one Lab Extension (MOLE) Heisenberg Airship Parts Snacks

There's AURUM in them thar hills! This challenge (to anyone interested) is an evolution of a mission plan I had in the (I don't recall well) late KSP 1.0.5 days, but abandoned as a resource scarcity (before I knew about making mods or changing the seed of a save) fundamentally wasted my efforts and my many intricate crafts. Short and sweet: it was a grand Duna colonization plan involving MKS Lite, USI life support, NF Tech mods, old SSPX, and SpaceY Heavy Lifters. How it works Deploy SCANsats (or at least the T.E.R.R.A.I.N. Geo Scanner device which is equivalent to the M700 stock orbital scanner but with some added features) and infrastructure at a target planet supporting a crew of at least 4 (life support recommended but not absolutely required). Once the scans are done and the infrastructure is far enough along or finished, send a manned mission to this planet and execute an intensive mining and exploration mission between arrival date and the first return transfer window. The intent is also to potentially have fun making your castle on the planet you're rushing at it. The mining mechanic is familiar to MKS users but to everyone else it's like this: The precious resource can't be located just by running a scan and dropping a waypoint on it. You must operate a rover or any other capable land vehicle equipped with a Buffalo cabin or any Pathfinder enabled Geology Labs. Every 3km (default setting) you must use the Prospecting tool and test for a resource lode. If you uncover a lode, deploy only WBI's drills and mine it dry. A resource lode is a finite and dense concentration of a resource like Kethane or the giant kidney stones unknown-type scatter objects that appear on the terrain in MKS. It is pure so its yield is massive and the containers will fill the fastest from it. Be prepared to have to haul way over 9,000 units back to the KSC! Crew are required to prepare and (most likely) occupy these parts while they need to be used. Gold! The mission objective Treasure Quest using Wild Blue Industries: GoldStrike. With any number of the yellow Gold Digger Portable Mini-Drill or the rover-body Buffalo Drill, mine at least one resource lode dry and bring home the bounty. Terms of engagement™: Wild Blue mods (Buffalo rover and Pathfinder bases) required. USI kontainers not allowed. WBI provides many tanks for holding the treasure. (Aurum also only exists in WBI. USI kontainers will not support it.) The best storage parts in WBI are the MC-6000 Buckboard, Mule MLM, Chuckwagon IMW. No rescue missions. No missed window. No kerbal left behind (I hope). Bring the full bounty or none at all. Resource must be one of the 4 GoldStrike resources: Aurum, ExoticMienrals, Karborundum, RareMetals. But Aurum is #1. Your report must at least include screenshots of: The location(s) with a GoldStrike waypoint marker and showing how much is in it before mining. The mothership that returns the bounty to Kerbin/Gael/whatever... with the resource panel open, showing GoldStrike tankage. The ascent vehicle, capable of carrying any significant amount of treasure. You need not actually reply in this thread. Feel free to use this in your own mission report/kerbal story and let me know you did so. Any OP engine mod is allowed if desired, but as Karborundum is a propellant, and can be scooped in space, you're not allowed to pick this for the treasure and have engines from its mod on any ship. (You can mine Karborundum with the WBI drills and without the Karbonite mod(s) installed) Any other USI mod is allowed. The levels Easy mode: Perform challenge at the nearest low-gee world: Duna; Niven in GPP; the moon(s) of The Atlas™ in Gameslinx's Before Kerbin; and whatever applies in Gameslinx Planet Overhaul. Normal mode: Perform challenge at a nearby planet except Niven or Duna. If using life support, this is any planet near enough that DeepFreeze is not required to help the crew and the food to last longer. Hard mode: If using life support, perform challenge at any distant planet without the use of DeepFreeze. If not, perform challenge at any high-gee world such as Eve or Tylo; Tellumo or Catullus in GPP; or in Gameslinx's planet mods: Fume, Sonus, Tillos, Thalius, Reaper. Very Hard mode: Mine at least 2 lodes. Perform challenge at Thalia or Icarus in Galileo's Planet Pack, or any lava planet in Gameslinx's planet mods. Otherwise, do Hard Mode (just 1 lode and the previous planets) with BARIS installed. Let me see your Equipment boxes. Super Mode: Impress me. I'm shamelessly directing hype towards @Angel-125 @Galileo @Gameslinx. Problem?