Author Topic: Flight path reference lines?  (Read 1428 times)

Offline tadrinth

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Flight path reference lines?
« on: June 25, 2014, 07:29:57 pm »
It would be nice if there was a way to show reference path lines to assist with setting up defenses.  IE, if I want to lay minefields, it would be nice if there was a button that would draw lines between all the wormholes, and from each wormhole to to the command station and any fortresses*. The line place tool helps a lot, but doesn't quite cover everything. 

You can set these up manually by telling a ship to go to each of the points in question (and then holding alt), but sometimes I want to place a particular defense exactly along the line between the wormhole and the command station, but on the far side of the command station.  IE, I might want to put an OMD directly behind the command station, so that incoming waves take the same path regardless of whether they're heading for the command station or the OMD.  Or, I might want to put a Spire Mod Fort behind the command station, but have its photon lance line up with the travel path of incoming waves. 

Anyone else think this would be useful, or am I being way too precise about my defensive layouts?

* I'd probably want lines either to whatever I currently have selected, or to all the irreplaceables and any targets of the Bullheaded targeting flag that carriers have.
« Last Edit: June 25, 2014, 08:20:47 pm by tadrinth »

Offline MaxAstro

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Re: Flight path reference lines?
« Reply #1 on: June 25, 2014, 07:47:29 pm »
For minefields alone this would be an incredibly handy feature.

Offline tadrinth

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Re: Flight path reference lines?
« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2014, 08:12:34 pm »
Well, for mine fields the line-place tool already gets you a LOT of functionality.  If you open the line place tool, drop one end on the wormhole and the other end of the command station, then enabled the packed line place, then you can pretty easily drop dense mine fields along the path from the wormhole to the command.  It would help with placing the packed line of mine super precisely, though. 
« Last Edit: June 25, 2014, 08:21:12 pm by tadrinth »

Offline Draco18s

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Re: Flight path reference lines?
« Reply #3 on: June 25, 2014, 08:55:38 pm »
My problem with the line feature is that even when using it I end up being off by 10 degrees, yes, even when clicking the exact center of both the wormhole and the station.

Offline TechSY730

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Re: Flight path reference lines?
« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2014, 09:04:35 pm »
Also, there is the "issue" that units don't quite fly in straight lines. They often "curve" slightly. (Keyword being slightly, you are likely never going to notice unless you look closely)Seems to be mostly tied to direction and unit speed, but it is hard to determine any exact trends.

I'm not really sure if this is really an issue though; it does nicely model the idea that things rarely go perfectly in real life, including moving towards your intended target. And it is a very slight curve too.