Can a multi-size docking port be made in stock KSP?

[Zamolxes77]

I know they used to be possible, several years back, I'm wondering if its still possible. I tried a senior port with a regular port merged into, the normal one engages fine, but the the senior doesn't. Do I have to fiddle with them a bit more, or is simply not possible ?

I'm playing Kerbal Kommander mod and you have missions in which you capture different configurations of ships and space stations. Some have senior docking ports along CoM, others have only regular ones, so I need this dual docking port, in line with my thrust vector, to accommodate both types of captures.

If not possible, gonna have to made a very ugly attachment on top of my ship

Edited July 30, 2016 by Zamolxes77

[sebi.zzr]

@Zamolxes77,i'm using this MM patch,that makes docking ports universal:

@PART[*]:HAS[@MODULE[ModuleDockingNode]]:Final
{    
@MODULE[ModuleDockingNode]
 {
 @nodeType = size0,size1,size2,size3
 }
}

it allows you to dock any size docking port to each other.

[Zamolxes77]

Ok, little help please, I have no idea what to d owith that piece of code. I have a module manage .dll that comes with certain mods, but it doesn't make docking nodes universal. Is there something else called module manager ?

[Superfluous J]

Notepad a text file, name it <anything>.cfg

Copy and paste the code above into the file. It should look exactly like that, from the first @ to the last }

Save that file ANYWHERE in your GameData folder. Right next to the ModuleManager dll is fine. I personally make a folder named 00Mine to hold all of my configs to keep it neat. Then load a new game of KSP (If you're playing, you have to exit out of the program and reload from scratch) and assuming the code works (I've not tested it), then it'll just work.

[Wolf Baginski]

The old Universal Docking Port mod from CaptainKipard was updated for v1.0.5 and may still work. I eyeballed the config file and it uses the method in that Module Manager patch. The links given here at the time were for Mediafire and need the usual rebuilding, but give a Mediafire error message: the downloads are not there any more.

There's also something called "Multiports" on Spacedock Which does something fancy to combine two standard models, and is supposed to work with v1.1.3

I have no reason to think either will not work. I shall have to run a trial. I like the look of the older Universal Docking Port mod, but have no idea where you could find it.

[Plusck]

If you don't want to mod the game, you can make your own multiple docking port.

Simply take a cubic/octagonal strut, place the large docking port on the top node, then place the standard and small ports on the sides of the strut. Then rotate the smaller ports to face up, and offset them (using snap) until they're perfectly centred, then offset them up and down (without snap) so that they are perfectly flush.

You can then grab the strut and place it on your intended part.

You could do this directly on a fuel tank, too, but I made it as a subassembly which you can download here: Multi-docking port.craft

I tested and it works fine on the launchpad. I wouldn't absolutely guarantee that it will work perfectly every time you pack and unpack a vessel, so I'd try placing one in orbit, going back to KSC, then returning to the craft and trying to dock with it, before sending it off on a rescue mission.

 

edit: And here is the setup I used to test it: test multidocking port.craft. On undocking the left-hand port under the fuel tank, the middle ports should close and connect the engines again. Fire the engines to test solidity.

Edited August 28, 2016 by Plusck

[Wolf Baginski]

4 hours ago, Wolf Baginski said:

I have no reason to think either will not work. I shall have to run a trial. I like the look of the older Universal Docking Port mod, but have no idea where you could find it.

Trial completed. The docking port works fine in v1.1.3 Since the mod uses the same method as given in the module manager file, that should work too

Your humble correspondent forgot to fit parachutes to the capsule. Luckily, he landed on his head.