MasterClass: How to OXP (updating SoThisTC)

[spara]

Thanks cim for correcting me once again. The code gets simpler in each iteration .

One more time, the populator:

Code: Select all

		system.setPopulator("sothis_tc", {
			callback: function(pos) {			
				system.addShips("sothis", 1, pos, 0);					
			}.bind(this),
			location: "PLANET_ORBIT",
			locationSeed: 507415,
			deterministic: true
		})

[spara]

And the final touches. I'm changing the sothis definition in shipdata-overrides.plist to this:

Code: Select all

"sothis_station" = 
	{
		market_capacity = 63;
		market_definition = (
			{
				"type" = "class";
				"name" = "oolite-business";
				"price_multiplier" = 1.2;
				"price_randomiser" = 0.3;
				"quantity_multiplier" = 0.7;
				"quantity_randomiser" = 0.4;
			}, 			
			{
				"type" = "default";
				"capacity" = 0;
			}
		);
		market_monitored = yes;
		
		ai_type = "oolite-stationAI.js";
		allegiance = "galcop";
		allows_fast_docking = "yes";
		has_shipyard = "no";
		max_defense_ships = 3;
		name = "Sothis Trade Center";
		requires_docking_clearance = "yes";
		roles = "sothis station inquirer_station";
		station_roll = 0.08;
		script_info = {
			"bgs_tunnel_shape"="5";
		};
	};

We've already covered the market part, so I'll just go through the other keys.

• ai_type: I'm changing this to the more recent js-based core AI. If I were more ambitious, I might want to write my own AI to better fit the Sothis. I'm not, so this will do.
• allegiance: Allegiance basically signals to the game what type of traffic is allowed. I'm using the same as the main stations: "galcop". The other options are listed here: http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Oolite ... allegiance
• allows_fast_docking: Set to "yes" to allow fast docking. Disabled by default.
• has_shipyard: I originally did not have shipyard in SothisTC, so set to "no".
• max_defense_ships: Not really sure the real effect of this, but anyway I have set this to 3, which is the default for stations. After quite a few tests with different values, the station always seems to spit just one defense ship to get rid of me when I'm constantly hammering the station with my pulse laser. Maybe the AI thinks my pulse laser is a bit of a joke or something and sends some rookie pilot to get some practice
• name: should be obvious
• requires_docking_clearance: By default "no". Set to "yes" for consistency with the main stations.
• roles: Three roles are defined. A unique role, "sothis", which can be used to spawn the station. A generic role "station", which to my understanding is used somewhere in the core game. At least was used at some point . The last one is "inquirer_station" which is used by Market Inquirer OXP to identify white listed stations.
• station_roll: The default is a bit too much to my taste. Dialed down to the core station roll speed.
• script_info: Some oxps use keys defined in script_info. Key "bgs_tunnel_shape" basically enables bgs tunnel effect, if the oxp is installed. More info http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/BGS2_Doc

I'm not going to add a ship library entry, because the origin of the model seems to be in front of the dock. That makes the tumbling model in the library look very wrong as it tumbles around the origin.

Am I missing something? Are we done? If so, I'll post my final version to box, if someone wants to grab it and tinker further or something.

[montana05]

ai_type: I'm changing this to the more recent js-based core AI. If I were more ambitious, I might want to write my own AI to better fit the Sothis. I'm not, so this will do.

While for standard AI's .js is working fine for a customized one I still would recommend .plist. Why ? Much better documented and different to the .js it is actually working, not sometimes just ignored.

allegiance: Allegiance basically signals to the game what type of traffic is allowed. I'm using the same as the main stations: "galcop". The other options are listed here: http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Oolite ... allegiance

Just a matter of how you look at it, personally I prefer "neutral" but it really depends on the system government and on your point of view.

max_defense_ships: Not really sure the real effect of this, but anyway I have set this to 3, which is the default for stations. After quite a few tests with different values, the station always seems to spit just one defense ship to get rid of me when I'm constantly hammering the station with my pulse laser. Maybe the AI thinks my pulse laser is a bit of a joke or something and sends some rookie pilot to get some practice

It is really setting the maximum of defense ships, when they launch is a different story. I usually encourage the defenders with a js, like:

Code: Select all

this.shipTakingDamage = function(amount, whom, type)
{
    if(type == "energy damage" && whom.isPiloted == true)
    {
		if(this.ship.isStation && this.ship.dockedDefenders > 0)
		{
			this.ship.target = whom;
			this.ship.launchDefenseShip();
		};
    };
};

roles: Three roles are defined. A unique role, "sothis", which can be used to spawn the station. A generic role "station", which to my understanding is used somewhere in the core game. At least was used at some point . The last one is "inquirer_station" which is used by Market Inquirer OXP to identify white listed stations.

The role of station is still used, and pretty strong. If it happens that you define a role for a ship like "station_defender" this ship will also be viewed as a station from the core.

[spara]

ai_type: I'm changing this to the more recent js-based core AI. If I were more ambitious, I might want to write my own AI to better fit the Sothis. I'm not, so this will do.

While for standard AI's .js is working fine for a customized one I still would recommend .plist. Why ? Much better documented and different to the .js it is actually working, not sometimes just ignored.

I never quite got the grasp for plist AIs, despite the quite exhaustive documentation. Js AI eats JS, which I find so much easier to edit . I have not noticed anything funky with JS AIs, but then again, it's been quite some time since I have actually played this game. Priority AI is also quite extensively documented http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Oolite ... umentation, but the page could be a bit more approachable.

allegiance: Allegiance basically signals to the game what type of traffic is allowed. I'm using the same as the main stations: "galcop". The other options are listed here: http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Oolite ... allegiance

Just a matter of how you look at it, personally I prefer "neutral" but it really depends on the system government and on your point of view.

Neutral allows pirates and other scum to loiter around or something. That can't be tolerated in the Truump empire.

max_defense_ships: Not really sure the real effect of this, but anyway I have set this to 3, which is the default for stations. After quite a few tests with different values, the station always seems to spit just one defense ship to get rid of me when I'm constantly hammering the station with my pulse laser. Maybe the AI thinks my pulse laser is a bit of a joke or something and sends some rookie pilot to get some practice

It is really setting the maximum of defense ships, when they launch is a different story.

I kind of assumed that . I've also written my own AI in some other OXP at some point to make the station spit more defenders. It would be nice if we could somehow set the aggressiveness of the defensive measures in shipdata.

[montana05]

Neutral allows pirates and other scum to loiter around or something. That can't be tolerated in the Truump empire.

Scum attracts scum, you can see that currently in RL with the greedy, offensive punks (GOP) in the US.

[spara]

Neutral allows pirates and other scum to loiter around or something. That can't be tolerated in the Truump empire.

Scum attracts scum, you can see that currently in RL with the greedy, offensive punks (GOP) in the US.

"Chaotic" might be the correct alignment here.

[Cholmondely]

And the final touches. I'm changing the sothis definition in shipdata-overrides.plist to this:

Code: Select all

"sothis_station" = 
	{
		market_capacity = 63;
		market_definition = (
			{
				"type" = "class";
				"name" = "oolite-business";
				"price_multiplier" = 1.2;
				"price_randomiser" = 0.3;
				"quantity_multiplier" = 0.7;
				"quantity_randomiser" = 0.4;
			}, 			
			{
				"type" = "default";
				"capacity" = 0;
			}
		);
		market_monitored = yes;
		
		ai_type = "oolite-stationAI.js";
		allegiance = "galcop";
		allows_fast_docking = "yes";
		has_shipyard = "no";
		max_defense_ships = 3;
		name = "Sothis Trade Center";
		requires_docking_clearance = "yes";
		roles = "sothis station inquirer_station";
		station_roll = 0.08;
		script_info = {
			"bgs_tunnel_shape"="5";
		};
	};

We've already covered the market part, so I'll just go through the other keys.

• ai_type: I'm changing this to the more recent js-based core AI. If I were more ambitious, I might want to write my own AI to better fit the Sothis. I'm not, so this will do.
• allegiance: Allegiance basically signals to the game what type of traffic is allowed. I'm using the same as the main stations: "galcop". The other options are listed here: http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Oolite ... allegiance
• allows_fast_docking: Set to "yes" to allow fast docking. Disabled by default.
• has_shipyard: I originally did not have shipyard in SothisTC, so set to "no".
• max_defense_ships: Not really sure the real effect of this, but anyway I have set this to 3, which is the default for stations. After quite a few tests with different values, the station always seems to spit just one defense ship to get rid of me when I'm constantly hammering the station with my pulse laser. Maybe the AI thinks my pulse laser is a bit of a joke or something and sends some rookie pilot to get some practice
• name: should be obvious
• requires_docking_clearance: By default "no". Set to "yes" for consistency with the main stations.
• roles: Three roles are defined. A unique role, "sothis", which can be used to spawn the station. A generic role "station", which to my understanding is used somewhere in the core game. At least was used at some point . The last one is "inquirer_station" which is used by Market Inquirer OXP to identify white listed stations.
• station_roll: The default is a bit too much to my taste. Dialed down to the core station roll speed.
• script_info: Some oxps use keys defined in script_info. Key "bgs_tunnel_shape" basically enables bgs tunnel effect, if the oxp is installed. More info http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/BGS2_Doc

I'm not going to add a ship library entry, because the origin of the model seems to be in front of the dock. That makes the tumbling model in the library look very wrong as it tumbles around the origin.

Am I missing something? Are we done? If so, I'll post my final version to box, if someone wants to grab it and tinker further or something.

Can't seem to get your rather splendid maps to show on my AppleMac.

And any chance of larger copies of them for the new Geography page on the wiki?

[andrax_iON]

And the final touches.

<snip>

Am I missing something? Are we done?

Tested ok, thnx again spara.

I like the reduced roll rate better (is this 'related' to gravity generation within the station? I couldn't find a ref. on the wiki. If yes, then slightly lower than normal could work, due to high-tech/high-finance context?).

Also re the wiki - I think Sothis/SothisTC is deserving of a listing on the "Oolite Stations" page; happy to help with any work effort required.

(Is the math lesson still available, perhaps as an optional tutorial? I failed the alg&calc exam, so understand if concepts may be over my head.. 8~) )

cheers!

[spara]

Can't seem to get your rather splendid maps to show on my AppleMac.

And any chance of larger copies of them for the new Geography page on the wiki?

Wiki already has them in some form somewhere. The original pdf-versions can be found here: https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6053

(Is the math lesson still available, perhaps as an optional tutorial? I failed the alg&calc exam, so understand if concepts may be over my head.. 8~) )

Sorry to hear that you failed your exam. Just keep practicing and you will prevail. Nowadays Youtube has a lot of premium content to help you. On top of your course materials of course.

And now, I'm going to leave this oxp be. More or less. If someone wants to take it over, finetune it, make it their own and publish their vision, go ahead.

There are endless possibilities to take the oxp further. If you can imagine it, you probably can oxp it. For example.

1. Get rid of possible deprecations errors.
2. Merge Sothis and SothisTC, find a way around the more or less missing license of Sothis and publish.
3. Make a custom AI for the station. How would a trade station react to offenders?
4. Create custom defenders for the station. Reskin a model or create your own defense force from scratch.
5. Make a nice story for the station.
6. Create missions to fit the story. Random ones would be really nice.
7. Tweak the market further to better fit the story.
8. Should there be a shipyard? If so, make it happen and tweak it to fit the story.
9. Other oxps. Could there be links to other oxps?

etc. etc.

Happy tweaking.

[Cholmondely]

Can't seem to get your rather splendid maps to show on my AppleMac.

And any chance of larger copies of them for the new Geography page on the wiki?

Wiki already has them in some form somewhere. The original pdf-versions can be found here: https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6053

(Is the math lesson still available, perhaps as an optional tutorial? I failed the alg&calc exam, so understand if concepts may be over my head.. 8~) )

Sorry to hear that you failed your exam. Just keep practicing and you will prevail. Nowadays Youtube has a lot of premium content to help you. On top of your course materials of course.

And now, I'm going to leave this oxp be. More or less. If someone wants to take it over, finetune it, make it their own and publish their vision, go ahead.

There are endless possibilities to take the oxp further. If you can imagine it, you probably can oxp it. For example.

1. Get rid of possible deprecations errors.
2. Merge Sothis and SothisTC, find a way around the more or less missing license of Sothis and publish.
3. Make a custom AI for the station. How would a trade station react to offenders?
4. Create custom defenders for the station. Reskin a model or create your own defense force from scratch.
5. Make a nice story for the station.
6. Create missions to fit the story. Random ones would be really nice.
7. Tweak the market further to better fit the story.
8. Should there be a shipyard? If so, make it happen and tweak it to fit the story.
9. Other oxps. Could there be links to other oxps?

etc. etc.

Happy tweaking.

Spara: Thank you very much for all this: your time, your effort and sharing your knowledge!

Cholmondeley

[andrax_iON]

Sorry to hear that you failed your exam. Just keep practicing and you will prevail.

Kiitos 8~) That was some 20-odd Oorbits ago now, and I'd been out of school for 20+ more before that; old dog, new (ma)trix?

Spara: Thank you very much for all this: your time, your effort and sharing your knowledge!

Cholmondeley

+1

cheers!

[Cholmondely]

And the final touches.

Alas, on my AppleMac,
1) I can't see the SothisTC markets on Market Inquirer when I am outside the station (neither on MFD or at the main orbital station).
2) I can't see the included Traderoute maps when I'm docked.

Are these quibbles also true for Linux/Windows?

[Cholmondely]

Am I missing something? Are we done? If so, I'll post my final version to box, if someone wants to grab it and tinker further or something.

Can't seem to get your rather splendid maps to show on my AppleMac.

And any chance of larger copies of them for the new Geography page on the wiki?

The maps issue was a conflict with XenonUI which suppresses them. When phkb publishes his fix, I will put it up on the wiki page. What a superb effect! I doff my hat to you, sir!

The issue of non-registration with Market Inquirer remains. I would rather expect to see the Sothis market details published in the same way that those of Liners are , so that I can read them on the MFD in flight - and am perplexed that they do not show up outside the orbital station itself.

[spara]

The issue of non-registration with Market Inquirer remains. I would rather expect to see the Sothis market details published in the same way that those of Liners are , so that I can read them on the MFD in flight - and am perplexed that they do not show up outside the orbital station itself.

Make sure you have

Code: Select all

roles = "sothis station inquirer_station";

in shipdata-overrides.plist in SothisTC.

That should be all it takes. At least it works in my installation. Both the station interface at the main station and the MFD. If it does not seem to work, try with a minimum set of OXPs (Sothis, SothisTC and Market Inquirer) to find out if there is a conflict somewhere. Anyhing interesting in the log?

[Cholmondely]

The issue of non-registration with Market Inquirer remains. I would rather expect to see the Sothis market details published in the same way that those of Liners are , so that I can read them on the MFD in flight - and am perplexed that they do not show up outside the orbital station itself.

Make sure you have

Code: Select all

roles = "sothis station inquirer_station";

in shipdata-overrides.plist in SothisTC.

That should be all it takes. At least it works in my installation. Both the station interface at the main station and the MFD. If it does not seem to work, try with a minimum set of OXPs (Sothis, SothisTC and Market Inquirer) to find out if there is a conflict somewhere. Anyhing interesting in the log?

Thanking you, Sir.