how to align roll of docking ports?

[deepspacecreeper]

hello, i would like to ask how do i align the roll of the docking ports so the solar panels will be in the right place?

otherwise i result in a strange space station with part of it incorrectly oriented.

(i hv mechjeb)

[capi3101]

NavyFish's Docking Alignment Indicator Mod can help you out with roll. Other than that, I'm not aware of any special technique for aligning roll; you just have to eyeball it.

[Specialist290]

If you don't have anything against using mods, I'd recommend downloading and installing NavyFish's Docking Port Alignment Indicator.

Otherwise, one option you can take is to place a Communotron 16 on both vehicles right behind the docking ports, then line them up to one another on your docking approach.

[Lojik]

without having an object added to each side of the docking ports that are in the same alignment the best way as stated above is using the alignment mod by NavyFish, The best thing about the mod is, its not automated, its simply a box that tells you where you are in relation to the docking port you have targeted, its accurate and it makes docking 10 times more enjoyable while still requiring full manual control. my fav mod hands down.

[Superfluous J]

Actually I'd suggest the NavBall Docking Alignment Indicator because it shows you very simply which way is "up" on the other ship. And if that's not right (because maybe you put the docking ports on differently than you want them to dock together, say 90 degrees off or something) you can at least align it by sight, note what the navball looks like, and then only use it to dock.

It's one of my favorite mods.

[Kasuha]

I'm always aligning by sight. If there are things you need to align on the two ship parts, then you can see them when approaching. And you can always stop a meter or two before touchdown and perfect your roll.

[Superfluous J]

I'm always aligning by sight. If there are things you need to align on the two ship parts, then you can see them when approaching. And you can always stop a meter or two before touchdown and perfect your roll.

That's a very good point. Also, nothing is stopping you from undocking, backing away a meter or two, rolling to the correct alignment and then redocking. There is little in this game that is easier than a redock, which is saying a lot considering how hard docking is

[Sirine]

Via selecting your docking port "control from here", then pointing them upward "north", ease a little bit of spinning trouble for your re-docking process.

[klappertjes]

Every docking port is also assymetrical in its texture. The unprotected clampotrons have a black rectangle on them that's slightly off to one side (presumably exactly for the purpose of allignment). It's hard to see when you're either very far or very close but it helps me sometimes when my target is too symmetrical to tell clearly which side is which.. Once I've established which way I want to be up, I do it by eye.

A setting for the magnet to drag them into the correct allignment too would be nice, as in: the black rectangless move over each other.

[deepspacecreeper]

Every docking port is also assymetrical in its texture. The unprotected clampotrons have a black rectangle on them that's slightly off to one side (presumably exactly for the purpose of allignment). It's hard to see when you're either very far or very close but it helps me sometimes when my target is too symmetrical to tell clearly which side is which.. Once I've established which way I want to be up, I do it by eye.

A setting for the magnet to drag them into the correct allignment too would be nice, as in: the black rectangless move over each other.

do u hv a picture which describes this?

[kirkmegna]

You could also use 4 docking ports (a total of 2 connections). When they're lined up they'll automatically orient themselves the right way. If you need a picture to better illustrate, let me know.

[KerbMav]

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/38594-Self-aligning-docking-ports?p=493954&viewfull=1#post493954

Or use the docking port APAS-69 from the KOSMOS mod.

[martinws]

If not a new part, this would be a useful tweakable feature on the existing docking ports: "only dock if aligned" or similar. If checked, the dock magnets could help to align all three vectors.

[Taki117]

Before I installed NavyFish's Docking port alignment indicator I would use my RCS thruster blocks to help with alignment. Since they were always at 90 degree intervals I would switch to chase mode, orient the camera to have it point with the RCS thruster I Wanted pointing "Up" and then rotate the ship so that the position of the stationed matched what I wanted. thought NavyFish's mod really helps.