Author Topic: Request - Variable delay for launch in Mission editor (Read 376 times)

Easyscor · « **on:** February 24, 2004, 09:05:57 PM »

I’d like the ability to specify a variable delay between spawn to runway of no more than 60 seconds between planes in the Mission editor.

It would help frame rates and look much more realistic as well as reducing virtual accidents.

Thanks for listening.

Reschke · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2004, 04:20:33 PM »

It can be done already in the Mission Editor.

What you have to do is select the flight and then you can specify a launch direction and time. It is on the same viewable section as where you put in ordinance loads and fuel. You can even specify which field you want each mission flight to leave from within the current mission editor.

As it is now no one does it since it takes a while to work through each flight if you want to have specific locations and times for a timetable you are trying to achieve with your mission. I did have a few "missions" saved which have different base locations for fighter/bombers or bombers and escorts to launch from along with waypoints for each one to follow with altitudes and headings listed.

If you want to do that make sure you have plenty of time to work out the mission because if you don't then you need to build your "template" for a mission on a day when you have the time.

The mission editor can be a fairly complex tool and is a damn good one to have for the game now. It is one of the best I have ever used and in my personal opinion is much better than the one they have over in WW2OL.

Easyscor · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2004, 08:01:09 PM »

Thanks but not the same thing Reschke, you can set up flights to launch at different fields and times but you can't specify a delay between each pilots spawning on the runway.

As you know, the whole flight spawns to the runway at about the same time and the pilots roll with a set time interval between them.

I want to be able to vary when the pilot spawns to the runway so each pilot has a clear view as he rolls, say 4 seconds between fighters and 10 seconds between bombers. There is no current work-around as far as I know.

JB73 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2004, 01:11:32 PM »

the problem with that is how you sortie the flight, and the users FE.

i'd hazard a guess that 90% or more "missions" have heavy fighters involved (or fighters that can carry bombs). that meast at "roll time" a popup shows up on the users FE asking whether to sortie as "attack" or "fighter"

the user checks a box then hits OK.

as soon as that packet is recieved by the server the plane starts to launch.

lag can make that time easily 2-3 seconds minium.

what would be the workaround?

wait until everyone checks a box and OKs then start the takeoffs? well then some n00b or somone trying to hurt the mission cound just sit there and not select something. or somone might have gone AFK to the bathroom or something.

either way now all the planes have to wait for "attack" or "fighter" confirmantion and the mission does not roll at the specified time.

get rid of the check box?

i wouldn't join missions regularly then probably. no guarantee the planner would set the sortie correctly, and if i care the tinyist bit about my "stats" i dont want to go flying a jabo mission sortied as "fighter". i also dont want to do a fighter sweep sortied as "attack".

if you wanted this purly for the astetic reasosn of taking screen shots of a bunch of planes lined up or whoever... sorry bad idea IMHO.

if you really want a pic or film like that have your squad do it manually (or talk to some other players and have them do it).

Easyscor · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2004, 05:55:42 PM »

Good point. I hadn't thought about the Attack/Fighter aspect of it. More programing then I thought.

I suppose you could draw two buttons when you select a fighter from the mission list. "Accept as Fighter" and "Accept as Attack", then if you were afk you would launch to the runway at the correct time and your throttle setting would determine whether you rolled.

My reason for wanting this has nothing to do with film or screen shots. Mission launches, praticularly bomber launches, are a mess when you use the Mission editor. This isn't a critisism of the editor, it's pretty good already but I won't use it in events because of the problems at launch.

Reschke · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2004, 11:59:40 PM »

Rgr that Easy. I wasn't thinking along the same lines as you were on that one. I was thinking you meant the times for the mission to roll not just individual aircraft.