Multi-layered Approach Indicators

[Ultra695]

I played KSP quite a while ago, somewhere around .18, then took a large break until career mode was out. I was trying to visit other planets when I noticed that the 2nd and 3rd "closest approach" markers were no longer there, the game only shows the one orbit around. (The markers I am talking about are the two blue indicators that appear when your orbit crosses the path of the object you have targeted that are labeled "Closest Approach : (distance)" and "Target Position at Closest Approach"). When I played earlier, there were markers for the first approach, as well as the second and third, allowing you to plan your rendezvous far more in advance. The lack of the further-predicting indicators results makes attempting to rendezvous slightly less Delta-V efficient.

So, is this a game feature that was removed? (which would make me sad) or I am stupid and just messed up a setting somewhere?

Screenshot of the Approach Indicators

EDIT: No spoiler tags on this forum? or did I just do them wrong?

Edited October 26, 2013 by Ultra695

[Sirine]

Nothings wrong. Just your "Seperation is too great." Make that below 1,000,000km or less, then it will show up.

[vexx32]

It hasn't been removed, no.

If you open up our settings.cfg file (in your KSP folder), and find these two lines:

CONIC_PATCH_DRAW_MODE = 3
CONIC_PATCH_LIMIT = 3

(the values may be different, it depends).

The LIMIT value is what you need to change. Bump it up one or two, and see how you go.

The DRAW_MODE should only be fiddled with once you make certain you recall what it was when you first had it. It accepts only values 0-4, from memory. It just alters how the projected path(s) display on screen.

[Specialist290]

For the record, this thread explains what each of the different conic draw modes displays, if you do decide to adjust them.

[Ultra695]

@Sirine I highly doubt that, as making the next rotation an interception completely negates the point of showing more than one rotation ahead. This was also not how the feature worked back then.

@vexx32 I think you misunderstand me, I am not looking to change how orbit paths are displayed (in fact, I have already tuned these settings to my preference, they are quite useful), I am looking to change the behavior of of orbit intercept indicators (the blue ones in the picture on the original post). I clearly remember there being indicators of a brown and red color that corresponded to the second and third time you passed the approach point. Now there are only the blue indicators for the first approach.

[stringyquark]

I get the blue and red/brown when rendezvous with a ship or such, but I have always got the single gray for plant interceptions

[WafflesToo]

Very interesting. I might have to play with those. I don't know how many times I've been plotting a Minmus encounter, have my return-side orbit encounter Mün, and have my Minmus encounter vanish. It's still there, it just isn't displayed and several missions I've had to fly on faith that I won't miss

[Kasuha]

If your trajectory just touches the target trajectory, you get one indicator.

If your trajectory intersects the target trajectory in two points, you get two indicators. For that you need the two orbits to be in the same plane.

If you want to see one orbit ahead, place a void maneuver just behind that indicator you see. It'll show you what the indicator will be the next orbit. If you need another orbit, put another void maneuver between the indicator and the first maneuver. Add more maneuvers to get the view multiple orbits ahead.

[WafflesToo]

If your trajectory just touches the target trajectory, you get one indicator.

If your trajectory intersects the target trajectory in two points, you get two indicators. For that you need the two orbits to be in the same plane.

If you want to see one orbit ahead, place a void maneuver just behind that indicator you see. It'll show you what the indicator will be the next orbit. If you need another orbit, put another void maneuver between the indicator and the first maneuver. Add more maneuvers to get the view multiple orbits ahead.

It's not the view ahead I'm interested in, it's the view behind. I'm losing the displayed Minmus encounter if my flight-path back to Kerbin encounters the Mün SOI. I don't know why it gives the preference to the Mün but it does seem to.

Maybe my tracking station is mad at me because I changed the creamer in the break room?

I'll give that technique with the void maneuvers a shot next time it happens and see if it helps.

[Kasuha]

There's no preference for Mun. The only preference is what comes first. I assume your Minmus encounter was on the part of the trajectory which was away from Kerbin again and the Mun encounter is on the part towards Kerbin, or isn't it?

Edit: also, proximity indicators are only displayed for selected target. If you don't have Minmus selected as target, you won't see proximity indicators for it.

Edited October 26, 2013 by Kasuha

[WafflesToo]

No. The Mün encounter was second. It's only happened a couple off times but I know the Minmus encounter is still there because I fly the trajectory and sure enough pop into Minmus' SOI.

[Kasuha]

Calculation error then. On certain trajectories the game fails to see that the trajectory is crossing some SOI.

Something like this, I guess.