[1.8.1] Docking Port Alignment Indicator (Version 6.8.5 - Updated 12/14/19)

[DBT85]

Thanks for the change NavyFish. As I said in the Modding Mondays thread, this and Engineer are the only things I won't boot KSP without!

As for the stock bar, its needs the ability to hide some mods, folders, resize, move etc.

[NavyFish]

Thanks guys I just saw DPAI mentioned in the Modding Mondays thread.. what a surprise!

I have some exciting news related to DPAI version 6.0. As you might predict from the version increment, it'll be a large feature. But... I don't want to ruin the surprise quite yet..

Y'all rock. Stay tuned!

Navy

[Bedwyr]

No, thank *you* for your service and efforts to make rendezvous much less aggravating.

[ap0r]

I love DPAI! I made a little texture modification! You guys like?

[NavyFish]

I love DPAI! I made a little texture modification! You guys like?

Dude, that's awesome

In particular, I like your take on the roll indicator. Recently I've been considering a refresh on some of the graphics, so great timing.

-Navy

[falken]

You should upload that texture. It is incredibly easy to read. Very good!

[ap0r]

Uploaded to Kerbal Stuff. https://kerbalstuff.com/mod/513/Texture%20Pack%20for%20Docking%20Port%20Alignment%20Indicator

I just made a mod for a mod

Of course, credit is given to the original author, a link to dpai, etc.

It is also released under the WTFPL so if you navyfish want to include it as an option/separate download/make it stock/ whatever, it's cool

[NavyFish]

Uploaded to Kerbal Stuff. https://kerbalstuff.com/mod/513/Texture%20Pack%20for%20Docking%20Port%20Alignment%20Indicator

I just made a mod for a mod

Of course, credit is given to the original author, a link to dpai, etc.

It is also released under the WTFPL so if you navyfish want to include it as an option/separate download/make it stock/ whatever, it's cool

I'll probably just leave one 'official skin' for simplicity sake, but am totally down with folks re-skinning to their delight. Nice work!

Edited January 21, 2015 by NavyFish

[NavyFish]

I should wait until it's finished, really I should. But this is too fun. Here's what you can look forward to in v6.0...

Edited January 21, 2015 by NavyFish

[taniwha]

How did you deal with IVA mode changing the "control from here"?

[falken]

I think the current version of the plugin (window) works in IVA mode?

[NavyFish]

Going IVA still changes your reference point, and I haven't fixed it, but RPM provides a good work-around. In the RPM Target Management window, you can select "Reference Point", and manually change it to the docking port of your choice.

It's good enough, but since RPM doesn't used my 'named' docking ports, the port selection can bit a bit ambiguous on more complex designs (they'll say i.e. "dockingPort3 (front)", but if you have multiple ones on the 'front', you're out of luck). I may put an indication of the current reference port on the RPM DPAI screen - need to look at the RPM code first though.

[nukeboyt]

Going IVA still changes your reference point, and I haven't fixed it, but RPM provides a good work-around. In the RPM Target Management window, you can select "Reference Point", and manually change it to the docking port of your choice.

It's good enough, but since RPM doesn't used my 'named' docking ports, the port selection can bit a bit ambiguous on more complex designs (they'll say i.e. "dockingPort3 (front)", but if you have multiple ones on the 'front', you're out of luck). I may put an indication of the current reference port on the RPM DPAI screen - need to look at the RPM code first though.

IMHO, the best solution would be if RPM was able to display your 'named' docking ports, which obviously is not something that would be for your mod to do.

[falken]

Add "control from here" for the docking node with an action group?

[NavyFish]

Add "control from here" for the docking node with an action group?

That's an idea, but I think using the RPM method is just as easy, if not easier.

If I can display the current reference port on my RPM gauge, I can probably cycle through them as well, so that should make things pretty straightforward.

if that's still not enough, there are other options, but I think this will be enough for 95% of users, so I'm not going to dump time into it unless it becomes hotly requested.

[ap0r]

RPM integration will probably make many people wet their pants

[NavyFish]

Hello again, folks. I'm looking for a group of beta testers - specifically folks who use (or are willing to install) Raster Prop Monitor. Send me a PM if you're interested.

Edited January 28, 2015 by NavyFish

[NavyFish]

And to whet your appetite...

[NavyFish]

Only have had a couple offers of assistance to beta test so far, so if you have any inclination to do so and would like to play around with RPM integration early, don't hesitate to PM me! Expect a release candidate for beta testers to be out sometime this weekend. I don't expect any stability issues, but it's better safe than sorry when adding such a large new feature. Thanks in advance!

[ap0r]

I strongly dislike RPM, so i will pass on the opportunity for now.

[MonkeyLunch]

Picking parts is easy through the reference menu if people are also using vessel view with RPM. Then it highlights the parts as you select through them. So even on a complex design its fairly easy to find the part you want. I wouldn't worry about people having to use the menu to reference parts, even without Vesselview.. That's part of the fun of rpm anyway, using the menus.

BTW that screenshot looks awesome. I cant wait for the next update.

You should just link the beta on the front page with the appropriate write up. That how a lot of the other modders do it.

[NavyFish]

Thanks! you can cycle through your reference parts and target's docking ports using MFD buttons from the DPAI page (up/down, prev/next respectively), which is a bit faster than using the menu. I agree, it's not a big deal.

Man, this update has involved a ton of work! It's going well, and I feel good about it, but I've literally had to rewrite a completely separate drawing routing (Unity's API is super inconsistent.. grr...), not to mention learn the ins and outs of RPM (which is complex. not overly so, but definitely not simple). Maintainability is going to be tough going forward unless I find a way to unify the rendering pipeline, or at least clean up the code (which at the moment is ugly..as..hell..), so 6.1 may be an optimization/refactoring pass!

There are many more things I want to add... so much to do

[Enceos]

And to whet your appetite...

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u5/usnavyfish/screenshot2.png~original

I'm SO HYPED! Amazing work NavyFish I alway dock my vessels in IVA with docking camera and your DPAI window open. With it integrated into RPM... my dreams are really coming true!

[NavyFish]

DPAI v6.0 (BETA)

Get it here: DPAI v6.0 Release Candidate 5 - Version 6.0 is now out of beta! Check the first post for downloads!

**Make sure you back-up your saves folder, and also completely remove any previous version of DPAI before installing the beta**

This won't be officially released until folks have had a chance to test it out in the wild for a bit. If you encounter any bugs or unexpected behavior, please post in this thread. Alternatively, if you don't encounter any such issues, please post that as well so we can move towards an actual release sooner!

Here are some screenshots:

The installation modifies a file in RPM's basic MFD, to add a 'DPAI' label on the MFD's home screen:

By pressing the 'Info' button from the DPAI page, you'll see this help page:

You can enable or disable the magenta target port hud icon while IVA:

Of course, if you don't have Raster Prop Monitor installed, everything will function as normal.

Edited May 10, 2015 by NavyFish
6.0 Released!

[TMS]

Oh, wow... You solved the IVA navball reference issue?

Looks like RPM is going on the download list, too.

This looks amazing, Navy. I may attempt my first IVA docking.