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

[NavyFish]

I know it not as elegent as a auto display, but have you considered that DPAI lets you rename docking ports? (Dp-Sr14) (2.5C) (Jr Alpha) etc

No need to leave IVA

So, yes, that ^

If I implement the requested feature, it would be flashing red text across the center of the display saying "Port Size Mismatch" or something to that effect. No indication of larger/smaller, and definitely not a permanent part of the indicator. Less is more.

Plus I'm not sure if you can reliably determine the relative sizes of two ports. I'll have to dive back into the docking module logic to figure out what makes ports copacetic. Thanks for the reference to Universal Docking Ports, as I can probably look at that code to figure it out.

----

The problem I'm facing at the moment is that due to unity 4's sheetay GUI support, I had to create two completely separate rendering pipelines in order to support RPM. RPM draws to a texture, while the normal gauge uses deferred rendering unity GUI functions, and the two pipelines simply do not talk to each other. So any change made to the display has to be made twice. This gets really finnicky because the display sizes aren't uniform (RPM displays can be any size, for example), etc.

Anyway, it's a hassle and I've been thinking of ways to improve it. Particularly if I ever want to put the code up on github - right now it's not very fun to look at. And, DPAI seems to be sticking around, so, might as well keep it well-maintained! Then comes along the Unity 5 announcement. This is good and bad. Bad: unless Squad decides to completely 'emulate' the Unity 4 GUI pipeline for backwards-compatibility of mods (I doubt they will), certain chunks of DPAI (and most other mods) will require a re-write. The Good: The new GUI system should allow me to unify the rendering pipelines. Hurray.

So I've been hesitant to write any updates to DPAI prior to Unity 5, as it's going to require a re-write at that point anyway. If the switch does break mods, i just hope Squad sends out a development version or something to allow modders to fix their stuff in advance. Again, doubtful. Maybe I can get on the experimentals team.

Anyway. Hope everyone (in the northern hemisphere) is having a nice summer!

[Kiro]

This is one of my favorite mods for KSP. I would never play the game without it

Requested feature once this gets ported to Unity 5+, have the background be a display for a camera that can be placed at the docking port. I think I saw something like this in some of the older Scott Manley videos, but I'm not sure which mod that was using.

[micha]

...Less is more.

...

...And, DPAI seems to be sticking around, so, might as well keep it well-maintained!

...

Definitely agree with your sentiments on the proposed docking port size alignment mismatch indicator.

And much yayy to your continued commitment to this, your rather excellent mod. I almost never play KSP without having DPAI installed and at the ready.

[NavyFish]

@Kiro - Thanks! Glad you like it. That mod you saw was "Lazor Docking Cam", which I believe is now defunct (not sure).

"Docking Cam" is an increasingly requested feature. I'll add it to my list of things to explore, but it's not a high priority because the perceived payoff vs effort isn't too high. I can't imagine that implementing a render target in a plugin is too easy. Then again, I don't know - I'd have to look at some of the external camera mods etc to see what that would take. But I still don't understand what it buys you as the player. If you're doing EVA view, you can see the port with your main camera. If you're IVA you can use RPM to display a view from your docking port. So other than perhaps a touch of atmosphere or 'cool' factor, what does it buy you?

Not trying to be negative. But I have to asess the cost-benefit of all changes because this is very much a tertiary hobby for me, and time is money :/

[tg626]

Just FYI, I'm working up a mod that will leverage HullcameraVDS to give a docking cam view and add targets for manual docking with stock ports. That will make it full screen which I prefer, so it won't be exactly like Lazor Cam or if you added a cam view to the DPAI display, but I thought you might like to know.

[Kiro]

The benefit is purely cosmetic. I completely agree with you regarding the priories vs. payoff. This feature would be nice to have some day, but in no way is it a necessity.

[BlackHat]

If you're IVA you can use RPM to display a view from your docking port.

I will have to check that out next time...

Hey we understand the issue of time spent tweeking/updating/fixing mods for hobbies verses time better spent working to pay the bills.

I guess I just need to sit and make a list of, what matches what, between all the various mods.

[Pet Peeve - just about none of the parts list their size in the descriptions, 9 times out of 10, I need to drag it out into the VAB or SPH to see if its the size(diameter) I needed]

[hieywiey]

The RPM version needs a camera at the center of docking ports (like through a MM patch) that would give video feed instead of that black stuff in the background.

[vixr]

the rpm version needs a camera at the center of docking ports (like through a mm patch) that would give video feed instead of that black stuff in the background.

this^^^

[NavyFish]

[SmashBrown]

The RPM version needs a camera at the center of docking ports (like through a MM patch) that would give video feed instead of that black stuff in the background.

Definitely this!

[Gryphon]

Regarding all the camera comments, you'll note that it's been discussed...and discussed. Yes, we all want it. No, it's not easy. In fact, it's hard.

Also, it might be easier when KSP goes to Unity 5. It will certainly be different. For these reasons, it's not happening for now, AFAIK.

[NavyFish]

Thank you

[vixr]

wow...excuse me

[NavyFish]

wow...excuse me

Nah, don't worry about it. Happens more than you think

[Gryphon]

wow...excuse me

No worries. If I was annoyed about responding, I would have told you how many times it has been brought up.

[ainamogel]

The RPM version needs a camera at the center of docking ports (like through a MM patch) that would give video feed instead of that black stuff in the background.

Something like this? I made a mod of DPAI in RPM mode that does this, but sad to say I am not enough of a pro to release it to the public. It worked fine in 0.90, but I haven't updated it for 1.04 yet...

And yes, it was pretty hard to do.

[NavyFish]

Very cool. We should collaborate. I've not had much time to work on DPAI lately but once I do revisit, I'll contact you.

Also, my apologies for you having to have waded through the awful mess of code that is the current DPAI source. The things you have seen...

[ap0r]

That looks awesome! Would it be doable for the non-rpm version too???

[nohelmet]

OMG, you added compatibility for RPM? *SO* awesome!!!

[NavyFish]

Thanks hope you like it!

DPAI development has been on hold for a bit, mostly due to commitments in my professional life. But please don't hesitate to report bugs or present feature requests, as I do read each post in the thread and appreciate the collaboration.

I expect the next update will come around the time of the KSP Unity 5 integration update.

Cheers!

[ainamogel]

Hey NavyFish,

I finally got my camera code updated to work with the latest versions of RPM and DPAI, after sitting on it for months. If you'd like me to send it to you, drop me a PM.

Once again, let me thank you for one of my favorite mods to KSP: DPAI is one that I just won't play KSP without.

Ainamogel

[NavyFish]

Fantastic.. (pm sent)

[Miro Beero]

I would love a setting where you can click a button, rotate your ship or something and specify which part of the ship is "North" when in "R" mode.

Sometimes when docking and you need to rotate the ship last second to get everything aligned, up becomes sideways, down becomes other sideways and mess it up.

Great mod either way.

[Stone Blue]

^^

Yup...thats why I pretty much quit using this mod...Plus it then ended up conflicting with another mod I had installed...