Kerbonaut Skill Reveal

[Trann]

I'm thinking there might be a benefit to knowing what skill set each one of your crew has while in flight so you can choose the right Kerbonaut for the right job the first time.

My idea would use the last of the remaining space (next to EVA and IVA) when the mouse hovers over each Kerbonaut. I see two approaches:

1) Simple: reveal a single letter denoting the skill set (Engineer, Pilot, Scientist). The button does nothing.

2) Detailed: clicking the button will throw up a window with details or notes (unsure what would be useful here but there ya go).

Thanks for considering.

[Wabbit]

Ooh, cool! It is always a pain when something on my station breaks and I have to go...

I think Rodmy is an engineer... Nope, he's a scientist. Hmm, was it Guslo? I don't know, or maybe Fredlan? I don't know how to determine this!

[Bill Phil]

Sounds like a small, but essential feature.

[razark]

You can get this from the map screen. On the right hand side, there's the information tabs. One of them displays the Kerbals, including class and level.

Edited January 27, 2015 by razark

[Trann]

True! After some experimentation, I discovered that the "Kerbonaut" button is visible when focused on the ship; it is replaced by a planet button when you're focused on the planet.

I've don't think I've ever seen it because, out of habit, I tend to focus on the planet immediately. (As an aside: anyone know how to focus back on the ship when it's in a tight orbit?)

That said, I'm not completely swayed from my idea as a quick-hover check of your pilots.

[Bill Phil]

Well, having to switch between map mode and flight mode is tedious.

[SaturnV]

Simple solution: additional information will be displayed in the context menu activated by RMB click, along with the original “plant flag“ button and other buttons

What's much more complicated but have good side in long term: additional information panel on the top right corner, switchable with the resource panel. It was not only used to display detailed kerbal status but also weight/mass/parts count/orbit info and more when you're controlling a ship.

[razark]

As an aside: anyone know how to focus back on the ship when it's in a tight orbit?

Backspace.

[Trann]

Backspace.

My thanks.

[Pthigrivi]

Yeah this is great and should definitely be there.

[Alshain]

I think it is a good idea, but I would say forget the button, forget the right mouse click, just have the information always visible. It adds just a bit of height, it's not like it would take over the screen. Just extend the name placard down a bit and put it under the name.

Edited January 27, 2015 by Alshain

[Trann]

Definitely true. This is why I feel my idea is still worthy (regardless of any UI changes): there's nothing in flight mode to tell you this information at a glance.

[AbacusWizard]

On that note, I'd love a "Transfer" button on the crew portraits as well. Clicking precisely on the small crew hatch in a large ship can be annoying.

[Whirligig Girl]

I'm thinking there might be a benefit to knowing what skill set each one of your crew has while in flight so you can choose the right Kerbonaut for the right job the first time.

My idea would use the last of the remaining space (next to EVA and IVA) when the mouse hovers over each Kerbonaut. I see two approaches:

1) Simple: reveal a single letter denoting the skill set (Engineer, Pilot, Scientist). The button does nothing.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/KSP/kerbalclass-1_zpsluzg0g6e.jpg

2) Detailed: clicking the button will throw up a window with details or notes (unsure what would be useful here but there ya go).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/KSP/kerbalclass-2_zps5dq8yxuz.jpg

Thanks for considering.

Also a button for crew transfer, so you don't have to click around for the hatch. Or at least make it available on the pod's own right click menu.

[arkie87]

backspace.

thanks! Ive struggled with this for sooo long!

[sumghai]

Neat idea, Trann!

I do have a suggestion, however, to allow extendibility by add-ons - since people may wish to create custom professions in the future, rather than having letters to (P, S and E), the system should instead use little icons (wings for pilots, atom symbol for scientists and a spanner head for engineers). This would allow custom profession names with similar starting letters to use their own icons.

[mattinoz]

I think it is a good idea, but I would say forget the button, forget the right mouse click, just have the information always visible. It adds just a bit of height, it's not like it would take over the screen. Just extend the name placard down a bit and put it under the name.

Well given all Kerbals have the same last name would it matter if the name got clipped so their skill could be visible?

Maybe Kerbals should have a middle initial that shows there skill.

Jedediah P Kerman

Bob S Kerman

Bill E Kerman