[Plugin, Part] KSP 0.14(/0.15/0.16?)/0.17 'Escape Decoupler' Alpha

[crazygerbil]

Insane Rodent Industries Incorporated's Premier product:

The Escape Decoupler (v0.3ish (the pictures are from v0.1 (no idea why the first picture didn't survive the forum transition, but the rest did (well, actually, I know what was causing it, and have now fixed it, but still don't know why only it broke))))

((this is about to be wrong) For those desiring later versions that are more likely to save the pitiful lives of your crew in case of emergency, look at the second post in this thread ([/end wrongness] that was wrong and won't help you find the files, they are attached to this post (the second post does contain useful information)))

Created by the brilliant, the outrageous: crazygerbil!

Licensed under the BSD license, as if he cared.

IRII is pleased to inform you that they have been pleased to be informed about the fact that this should work perfectly in newer versions of KSP. IRII apologizes if this is not factual.

.7z.txt and .zip.txt is attached (might have to log in to see it?)

(yep, that's right, cheating the system, I'm doing it)

"So what is this strange, awkward .[7]z[ip].txt thingy?" you ask, "I'm cheating the new forum's attachment regulation system, the old forum let me just attach them, but the new one has file size limits on things that aren't '.txt' (and doesn't even accept .7z). So, just remove that silly .txt from the end, and use it as a normal compressed archive. (note that in windows I believe it hides the .txt from you by default, but there is an option in control panel's "folder options" link that stops windows from thinking that you want such things done for you)" The AWESOME, THE GREAT, THE [absolutely frakking insane] CRAZYGERBIL replies.

If it really matters, you could download the files from here:

http://calpoly.edu/~hhhall/IRIIEscapeDecouplerv0.3.7z and http://calpoly.edu/~hhhall/IRIIEscapeDecouplerv0.3.zip

I just ask that you not be a particularly annoying idiot or a malicious jackass. Also, expect these copies of the files to die in a fire in 1 to 4 years.

(don't worry, I just checked and I don't think I'm violating Rules Addendum: 25JUL2012 "Profanity", in spirit, at least)

(these compressed archives, which we've had some cheerful badinage about (with so many p(a(r(e(n(t)h)e)s)i)s, too!), includes a plugin.dll, source.cs, example.craft, escapeDecoupler.partfolder (note: not actually what the files are called))

'Why doesn't he upload it to a filesharing site?' you ask, 'because he is far, far too lazy[ed: prolly a typo, think it was meant to be 'crazy']!!' he answers!

Wait, you actually wanted to know what the plugin/part is? BAH! fine.

This brilliant product will save many a Kerbal's life due to it's amazing brilliance!

Simply place this emergency decoupler below a escape engine (or any part really, but only guaranteed to work fully for solid boosters (was tested to work with liquid fuel engines and will work properly, but be aware that this does not have quite the same effect as your throttle is not affected by this procedure (solid boosters don't need throttle))), press the (was once 'g' is now 'b', see following parenthesis)((rebound to 'b' and rebindable via part.cfg file) in later versions only (>=v0.2 (though the old versions are not readily available anymore, so probably not something you have to worry about))) key to ignite the engine and decouple the unnecessary parts of your craft, and speed away from the expanding inferno below you!

Here is an example flight:

Pre-flight completed, ready to launch!

Launched, But OHNO! something horrible has gone wrong!

Quick! use the 'IRII Escape Decoupler'!

Yes! We are Saved!

Watch as that silly other part of the rocket heads off to CERTAIN DOOM!

a normal decoupler separates us from our escape booster,

we parachute to safety,

And the day is saved, thanks to the IRII Escape Decoupler!! (note that many a Kerbal has died in bringing you this fine piece of safety equipment)

Edited October 5, 2012 by crazygerbil
Now with an undefined percentage more bold. Updated, kinda. Fixed for new forum, mostly. And people wonder why I don't mind how many parenthesis Lisp uses

[crazygerbil]

Now with rebindable button! (it's in the part.cfg)

(also, the part.cfg that the part I included has rebound the button to 'b', so don't get confused (this is despite what the part description says))

and now: it should properly set the new stage so that there are no empty stages when you press the button(v0.3)

see post #13 in this thread for a custom look for this decoupler part that actually makes it distinguishable from the stock part

Edited October 5, 2012 by crazygerbil
got rid of attachments that were corrupted or whatever they were

[Cepheus]

I like this, now we can finally have a proper Launch escape system!

[kockaspiton]

Wow! Nice, I\'ve been waiting for this since my first rocket went KABOOOM.

[Tim_Barrett]

I think the OP should be edited with a more proper scenario, because people can get confused at first thinking it was just three stages.

Get something massive, something kerbal, and then it will show off what it can truly do.

[Millitron]

It needs to auto-trigger if a structural failure occurs between any pieces still attached to the main stack. Most accidents kill the crew in within a frame or two of starting, which is way too fast to reasonably trigger the escape manually.

Also, does it also trigger via the space bar? So if we get to that stage successfully, we can decouple as usual?

[Misterspork]

Adding to the megathread now .(For those wondering the plugin megathread is located in Projects and Releases)

[Radion]

I think the key should be something other than 'g,' as we already use that for landing legs. This is a well done part overall, however.

[togfox]

I\'m trying to remap the key but I can\'t see the entry in parts.cfg.

*confused*

Thx.

[togfox]

Dying to use this but can\'t while it uses the g key.

A part like this will be crucial if pilot careers are introduced.

[Archer]

Dying to use this but can\'t while it uses the g key.

A part like this will be crucial if pilot careers are introduced.

I\'m trying to remap the key but I can\'t see the entry in parts.cfg.

*confused*

Thx.

The second post has updated versions attached. Those should have remapping and default \'b\' trigger.

[togfox]

Thanks - missed that!

Orgel was saved thanks to this device!! Just need a way to clear the empty stages when it is activated. I had to press SPACE 8 times in panic so all the empty stages could clear and I could execute the parachute.

Nice start but!

[ultrasquid]

This is an awesome, handy component, EXCEPT that it appears identical to the stock decoupler, which leads to confusion in the VAB listing and in visualizing its location on the spacecraft.

I\'ve taken the liberty of modifying the skin to solve this problem, and I\'ll share it here.

[ultrasquid]

Oh yeah, another problem: it doesn\'t function as an ordinary decoupler when it comes up in regular staging by spacebar tapping. Not sure if there\'s a way to overcome that. For now will just have to hit B when the stage it\'s in comes up.

[togfox]

Thanks Ultra. It\'s good to have all these little knick-knacks all looking different.

[wanzti]

Sorry guys... Am I the only one getting an error while extracting this file? Thanks in advance!

Greetings Wanzti

[KuukanShoutenii]

Sorry guys... Am I the only one getting an error while extracting this file? Thanks in advance!

Greetings Wanzti

I\'m getting the same problem... :\'(

I\'m on a Mac BTW

[togfox]

For what it\'s worth - the mechjeb mod now has a PANIC! button which behaves better than this (no disrespect!) but this one is nice in that you have the option of placing the part yourself instead of mechjeb choosing for you.

[azawada]

Could you Archive this in something that is not the 7z file format, as it is causing me problems.

[Joe Pinball]

Sorry for necro'ing this thread but a few folks have expressed interest in this escape decoupler and the original downloads (as forum attachments) don't work any more (corrupted file I think).

Even though this hasn't been updated in a while, it still works perfectly.

I happen to have a clean and still working version of this (the latest one) so have bunged it up on sendspace:

[EDIT] ooops! I need to check & get the author's permission before hosting this! pls be patient folks!

hope this helps!

Joe

Edited August 22, 2012 by Joe Pinball

[Samonite]

[EDIT] ooops! I need to check & get the author's permission before hosting this! pls be patient folks!

If you read the opening post then you would know that you are allowed to do that

"Licensed under the BSD license, as if he cared."

Hmm I think I might make a plugin with a menu where you select a stage(s?) and assign a hotkey to it.

That would allow you to make launch escape systems with any decoupler. (Or assign hotkeys to fire missiles, etc)

[crazygerbil]

If you read the opening post then you would know that you are allowed to do that

"Licensed under the BSD license, as if he cared."

Hmm I think I might make a plugin with a menu where you select a stage(s?) and assign a hotkey to it.

That would allow you to make launch escape systems with any decoupler. (Or assign hotkeys to fire missiles, etc)

I in fact did license it as BSD for that reason, and would be very interested in such a plugin.

EDIT: (I'm sorry about that sentence structure, really, it's even hard for me to read it. I'm not sure exactly why it is incredibly hard for me to read it the way I wrote it, but suspect it may be because you so commonly see that meaning broken up as "I did, in fact, license ...")(also, sry 'bout teh engrish wrant, btdubs)

Edited October 5, 2012 by crazygerbil
see EDIT: and realize there is a reason why it's IRII, not SRII

[crazygerbil]

Perhaps, I shouldn't double post, but eh, It's my own thread, and this information is FAR too important to get confused up with my confusing stuff. (there I go again(and there(and again(... ( >)))))) (lol sextuple chin)

I UPDATED THE ORIGINAL POST, WITH NEW INFORMATION AND FIXED LINKS, NO NEW FEATURES, SORRY, MAYBE SOMETIME IN THE NEXT 72 MONTHS, MAYBE

btw, simple testing suggests that this plugin/part work "perfectly" in 0.17

Edited October 5, 2012 by crazygerbil