[1.2] Mission Patch Manager v1.2.0 - 15th September 2016

[udk_lethal_d0se]

Mission Patch Manager for KSP 1.1.3
by udk_lethal_d0se

 

Introduction
Over the past few months, I've seen a lot of talk about mission patches; and the way players have got around this is to make their own custom flag and use that as their patch.  However, what if you wanted to use your space programs flag, and a mission patch? Well, this mod is the answer to that question.  This mod adds a new PartModule similar to that of Squad's FlagDecal; the PatchDecal.  It works in a similar way to the FlagDecal module with a few extras: It allows you select through multiple images (within the VAB/SPH) in its Asset folder and use one as a mission patch, cool eh?

Instructions

You can either use the supplied Spraykan part to add patches to you craft, or you can add the PatchDecal module to your custom part, providing it has been designed with an area for a patch (like the flag) to be used.

Contents
- Default.png (within the Patches folder).
- MissionPatchManager.dll

- Spraykan part. 

Screenshot(s)

Spraykan part, visibility in the editor and outside of the editor. 

PatchModule applied to one of my own parts, with a seperate Quad (on the right) designated for mission patches.

Instructions
If you're a part developer and/or have a part you want to use mission patches on (providing you have the relevant Quad available), all you need to add to your selected part's configuration is the following.

MODULE
{
    name = PatchDecal
    textureQuadName = Patch
}

If you have any patches you want to use, place them in the Patches folder; images should be the same size as flags (256 x 160) and in PNG format. The database of patches is only indexed once, on startup (at the Main Menu).

Downloads
- Spacedock
- Addon is also listed on CKAN.

Note: Plugin source included in download.

Changes and Updates

12th October 2016 - v1.2.1
- Updated for version 1.2, no changes necessary.

15th September 2016 - v1.2.0
- Reverted directory structure to original. 
- Added new part, the Spraykan, to allow users to apply patches without needing their own customized part. 

12th September 2016 - v1.1.0:
Changed the location of the plugin and the Patches directory to make usage more appealing.

- Patches directory now exists under the Squad folder: /GameData/Squad/Patches/
- Plugin now exists under the GameData folder: /GameData/MissionPatchManager.dll

This change will require that you remove all traces of the previous version before installing this one.  Please make backups of your custom patches beforehand.

12th September 2016 - v1.0.0:
- Initial release.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Edited February 5, 2023 by udk_lethal_d0se
Updated licence.

[udk_lethal_d0se]

New version available on Spacedock.

Changed the location of the plugin and the Patches directory to make usage more appealing/convenient.

- Patches directory now exists under the Squad folder: /GameData/Squad/Patches/
- Plugin now exists under the GameData folder: /GameData/MissionPatchManager.dll

This change will require that you remove all traces of the previous version before installing this one.  Please make backups of your custom patches beforehand.

[Jabbman]

Looks good, I'm giving it a go!

May be a silly question, but does this support .png transparency?

 

[udk_lethal_d0se]

Yes it does, let me know if you encounter any issues. 

[Drew Kerman]

how do you control where the patch appears?

[udk_lethal_d0se]

7 minutes ago, Drew Kerman said:

how do you control where the patch appears?

The location of the patch is defined by an object within the model of the part itself. So, as an example, the following image shows how I've set up one of my parts in Unity.

Hope that helps.

[Drew Kerman]

ah, bummer. Was hoping it was more like TheWriteStuff where you can just slap a patch on anywhere

[udk_lethal_d0se]

18 minutes ago, Drew Kerman said:

ah, bummer. Was hoping it was more like TheWriteStuff where you can just slap a patch on anywhere

Ahh, no problem.  This just facilitates indexing a directory of textures, selecting and applying one, and then having them persistent on the part.  I've no doubt in the coming days, someone will create something similar using this plugin.

I've no doubt that in the coming days, someone will create a part or set of parts utilising this plugin.

Edited September 12, 2016 by udk_lethal_d0se

[juvilado]

So this is about the request i asked for? Is it already useable or it is more oriented for modders?

[udk_lethal_d0se]

14 minutes ago, juvilado said:

So this is about the request i asked for? Is it already useable or it is more oriented for modders?

No, I'll release that at a later date and I'll contact you when I do so.  This is more oriented for modders wanting to add extra functionality to their parts. 

Edited September 12, 2016 by udk_lethal_d0se

[udk_lethal_d0se]

I'll be having a look at and making any necessary changes for 1.2 when I get home this evening.

[linuxgurugamer]

On 9/12/2016 at 1:37 AM, udk_lethal_d0se said:

New version available on Spacedock.

Changed the location of the plugin and the Patches directory to make usage more appealing/convenient.

- Patches directory now exists under the Squad folder: /GameData/Squad/Patches/
- Plugin now exists under the GameData folder: /GameData/MissionPatchManager.dll

This change will require that you remove all traces of the previous version before installing this one.  Please make backups of your custom patches beforehand.

This really isn't a good idea, it will clutter up the GameData directory.

It would be MUCH better to put both directories in their own folder, such as:

DLL in the following:

GameData/MissionPatchManager/Plugins

Data in:

GameData/MissionPatchmanager/PluginData

This is the convention that is used by most mods, and is designed to work well with the way that KSP load files and with ModuleManager

[udk_lethal_d0se]

Thanks for this, I'll update the mod according. 

[udk_lethal_d0se]

New update available on Spacedock. 

- Changed directory structure back to that or original release. Patches are no longer acquired from the Squad/Patches folder, but rather the Mission Patch Manager/Plugin/PluginData folder. 

- Added new part. The Spraykan. This is a special little part that allows you to add patched to your craft without requiring parts to have an allocated quad for patches, like the flag. 

[Z3R0_0NL1N3]

This is an amazing idea! I was trying to find a workaround for more decals on my Shuttle, as well as a way to place more flags on ships. I will share some screenshots of cool livery I can now create soon.

A few questions/suggestions: can these be placed on fairings? Can you make configs for the stock parts? Can patches be manually resized? Finally, would there be a way to make it automatically curve around the shape of the part? I'm sure there's a way to add it like a dynamic texture; there must be a mod that does something similar you can use as reference.

Edited September 17, 2016 by Z3R0_0NL1N3

[udk_lethal_d0se]

6 hours ago, Z3R0_0NL1N3 said:

This is an amazing idea! I was trying to find a workaround for more decals on my Shuttle, as well as a way to place more flags on ships. I will share some screenshots of cool livery I can now create soon.

A few questions/suggestions: can these be placed on fairings? Can you make configs for the stock parts? Can patches be manually resized? Finally, would there be a way to make it automatically curve around the shape of the part? I'm sure there's a way to add it like a dynamic texture; there must be a mod that does something similar you can use as reference.

Hey, thanks. Some answers to your questions below.

- These can't be used on fairings as they either don't have a collider, or they don't allow surface attachment; this is down to how the model was exported.
- I can't make configs for stock parts, because stock parts only contain a specialised quad for Flags, and no others for the likes of mission patches.
- I can update the plugin to allow resize, it shouldn't be too difficult, and I'll have a look at this when time allows.
- I've pondered over the issue of curving around a part; the problem here is that I can created different parts with individual curves, but you'd end up with quite a few Spraykan parts, which defeats the purpose.
- As for dynamic texturing, Unity has a way of doing this with a component called a Projector, this applies the Patch (in this instance) to the centre of the UV, and wasn't fit for purpose.

[Z3R0_0NL1N3]

 

2 hours ago, udk_lethal_d0se said:

- I've pondered over the issue of curving around a part; the problem here is that I can created different parts with individual curves, but you'd end up with quite a few Spraykan parts, which defeats the purpose.

Perhaps having a model switch between different types would be a good way to do it. Usually I want to put it on things like a Mk1 capsule or something, but it looks out of place sticking out like a board. This would be a simple solution without part clutter.

As a minor suggestion, could you add a few tags to the config file. I initially tried to search "spraykan" and didn't find it. "spraycan," "spraykan," "patch," "decals," etc would be some good examples.

[SpaceToad]

On 9/17/2016 at 5:31 AM, Z3R0_0NL1N3 said:

 

Perhaps having a model switch between different types would be a good way to do it. Usually I want to put it on things like a Mk1 capsule or something, but it looks out of place sticking out like a board. This would be a simple solution without part clutter.

As a minor suggestion, could you add a few tags to the config file. I initially tried to search "spraykan" and didn't find it. "spraycan," "spraykan," "patch," "decals," etc would be some good examples.

I'll raise you one. An adjustable slider for curvature would be great, just like how that part-scaling plugin works.

then, you just adjust the slider until you get it the way you want. 100% proceedural so that you only need one part.

[udk_lethal_d0se]

On 9/17/2016 at 10:31 AM, Z3R0_0NL1N3 said:

 

Perhaps having a model switch between different types would be a good way to do it. Usually I want to put it on things like a Mk1 capsule or something, but it looks out of place sticking out like a board. This would be a simple solution without part clutter.

As a minor suggestion, could you add a few tags to the config file. I initially tried to search "spraykan" and didn't find it. "spraycan," "spraykan," "patch," "decals," etc would be some good examples.

 

3 hours ago, SpaceToad said:

I'll raise you one. An adjustable slider for curvature would be great, just like how that part-scaling plugin works.

then, you just adjust the slider until you get it the way you want. 100% proceedural so that you only need one part.

Thanks for both of these suggestions, I'll have a look at implementing something like different curve angles.

[udk_lethal_d0se]

Updated for version 1.2 compatibility, no changes necessary.

[njmksr]

Is this tweakscale-compatible?

[Draconomial]

Can we get some screenshots of different patches?

[udk_lethal_d0se]

On 10/12/2016 at 9:12 PM, njmksr said:

Is this tweakscale-compatible?

If it requires implementation, then that's not something I've done. If not, then I haven't tested it myself.

 

10 minutes ago, Draconomial said:

Can we get some screenshots of different patches?

The add-on comes with four patches, which are flags from Squads Flag folder. The idea is that you'd source/create/add your own. Any graphic that is within the Patches folder will be loaded and used, provided it is in .png format.

[Beetlecat]

The "LoreFriendly Serious Parody Flag Pack" has a handful of roundel flags and such. Perfect for this!

[Capt. Hunt]

if it's included in the part.cfg, do I have to use a "patch" quad, or can I redirect one of the flag decals?