Okay, this is weird... and really annoying

[Random Tank]

Why can't I make a maneuver node in front of my ship here:

But I can here?

For some reason the blue dot that symbolises where your maneuver will be doesn't appear before that ship's periapsis, but it does after...

Clicking anywhere on its flight-path before PE does nothing, so I can't make a maneuver node until after i have passed the PE, which is after I need to make an inclination change.... I know I can do it without a node, but its more precise with.

It never used to do this, WTH?

(I'm modded, modlist available on request if you think its a problem there)

Edited April 27, 2014 by Random Tank
answered

[Vector]

I see this all the time. I am pretty sure it is a known bug.

What I usually do in that situation is create a maneuver node after PE, and then move it to where I need it.

[Random Tank]

I see this all the time. I am pretty sure it is a known bug.

What I usually do in that situation is create a maneuver node after PE, and then move it to where I need it.

That works? Now how the hell did I not think of that.....

Stock or Mod bug do you know?

[Vector]

I play stock, so it is definitely not caused by a mod.

[Random Tank]

Ah right; i'd hope they'd do a patch for that and a couple of other things, they're really annoying...

Thanks!

[Vector]

Agreed. For me the biggest practical problem is SOI transitions.

Speaking of maneuver node quirks...

Recently I discovered by accident that you can focus on maneuver nodes. You generally focus on things by double-clicking them, right? But the first click on a maneuver node causes the handles to open up and the second click does not bring the maneuver node in focus. But if the maneuver node is collapsed, and if you click twice quickly, first off the maneuver node and then the second click is on the maneuver node, it will consider it a double-click on the maneuver node and bring it into focus! (Does not work if it's too close to a planet.)

You can then zoom on it and see things which may not be clearly visible from the opposite side of the solar system, such as how close it is to the AN/DN, or how closely it coincides with a planetary intercept on a future orbit (if you're into that sort of thing). I won't list all the benefits -- I'm sure you can find plenty of uses for focusing on a maneuver node.

[Kasuha]

You can focus on a maneuver using Tab / Shift Tab, too. It's not a new thing, it was possible at least in 0.23 as well. Good thing is it allows you to focus on otherwise unreachable places, but it's not very comfortable to work with the maneuver.

[MarvinKitFox]

Because, basically, display of the orbit track and detection of mouseclick are handled by different routines. With different algorithms. Sucky programming.

To circumvent: Make a node *anywhere* else along your track, even in the past, and drag the node to where you wanted it.

Or do what I do. Use MJ's maneuver planner + maneuver node edit to place your node and manipulate it in fine detail.

Rocket commanders use computer to exactly direct their flight, no rocket commander is going to resort to pointing his finger in a vague direction and saying "out there, thataway "

Well, except for this guy.

[Redshift OTF]

Yeah I get this sometimes. It is an Alpha feature.

[benzman]

I have found sometimes that you cannot make a node if you are looking DOWN at the track but you can if you move the camera focus so that you are looking ALONG the track.

[Claw]

I find that it's even worse when you get near another orbit, such as rejoining on an asteroid around the Sun.

[Random Tank]

I find that it's even worse when you get near another orbit, such as rejoining on an asteroid around the Sun.

Ooo yeah, I get that too, but usually I can just intercept roids only needing a node around Kerbin now. Also, if i'm burning towards a roid and the intercept goes under ~50km separation (Kerbol orbit), the intercept markers will start disappearing or change to say I'm half an orbit out... That's annoying

Hadn't thought of putting useless maneuver nodes so I can focus somewhere i normally can't.. that's a really good idea! Tanks people!