[Plugin] [WIP] - Ship Checklists

[Papa_Joe]

Ok. After some thought about whether to put this in Ship Manifest or not, I've decide to make it separate mod. So, Ship Checklists is born.

My thoughts for checklists go like this:

A persistent, configurable checklist, by ship and by flight, based on a ship's template, that can be assigned when the ship is built.

I'm thinking it should be subassembly aware, and allow you to save checklists to the root node. the final ship checklist is "assembled" from these subassemblies and can be extended.

This would account for undocking, etc.

- They should be open and flexible, combining free text with some automation (pseudo action groups!).

- They should allow you to "program" an action or activity. One button press and the action is completed.

- They should have check boxes to indicate completion

- They should allow you to enter notes during flight

- They should be persistent. You can quit the game and come back and your list is still there.

- This is where multi-part actions will fit nicely.

The plan for flow (at this time)...

Checklists can be created in the VAB, SPH, preflight, or in flight.

You can select from a list of templates, or you can create a new template.

design the checklist and it is saved when you save your ship.

To use a checklist

Open checklist window. Add items, execute items, make notes. Click save after making changes Actions performed by clicking on go are automatically saved.

- When creating the Checklist item, using a set of drop downs, Select the action (Transfer),select resource, select all source parts, select 1 or more target parts, and click ok.

- The checklist item is then ready for when you reach that part in the "program" as NASA used to call it in the day.

- Clicking the Go button in the checklist item performs the action, and checks the list item.

Of course, any in-flight tweak-able on a part should be available from the checklist as well. Full control in an ordered (and repeatable) way.

Save as a template for the ship in assembly and you can add to the list for the ship at launch or in flight.

This way you can save a Checklist for a craft, and have a "This is how you fly it" included with the ship.

Thought I'd start a development thread so we can discuss anything you may want in this mod. Let me know your thoughts...

Edited March 8, 2014 by Papa_Joe

[Papa_Joe]

A lot of time has passed, and Ship manifest is becoming feature complete. I'm dusting the design off and reopening discussion.

As we build requirements I'll begin building the structure of this beast.

I will be using this post for update information and action items.

First, idea born from this thread: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/65916

Second, project born here: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/62270

Edited July 26, 2014 by Papa_Joe

[Camacha]

This seems promising. With complex vessels I sometimes had physical notes to ensure all needed steps were taken, but this could be much more streamlined.

[kiwiak]

I was thinking about something like that few times... definetly will follow this thread.

[diomedea]

The list of planned features is already very good, almost complete.

There is one only that I can't clearly see, and that is to have different checklists (or, different sections of a single checklist) with a ship, each list or section devoted to a specific phase of flight. That would make checklists quite similar to how those are used in RL aviation (different sections for activities like engine ignition, taxiing, take-off, ascent, level, descent, landing, engines off, emergencies).

[acc]

sounds realy great. i'll keep a eye on this project.

still like the ship manifest

[Papa_Joe]

My apologies for the long hiatus. Much has happened in the meantime.

Ship Manifest is reaching feature complete, and this will be my next project.

I will be posting soon with some plans and hope to begin a feature discussion.

Stay tuned.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Papa_Joe