X3 RTS Interface. Not a request, reality. Now with video goodness.

Alkeena · Post by **Alkeena** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 03:09

Update: Now with video action! (3.5 mb .wmv)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ot21zdmjldy

Mediafire is not resolving for me atm, have some youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTmOaJlYyFE

I command 3 M5s to move to 3 different places at the far edge of the sector (one off plane) and command a flight of docked M3's to murder a TS. All in under 30 seconds (it had to be since I only have weaksauce trial fraps and it's limited to 30 secs...). Sorry for the quality, I'm not a video producer

Also, be sure to check the updated macro available in the 4th post ( here: http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php? ... t=#3025127 )

Please note that this is neither a script, nor a mod (which is why it's here rather than in S&M) and will most assuredly not result in a *modified* tag. It's more of a howto than anything else >.>

Onward to the original post:

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So, I've just discovered that if you enter a command which requires input from the sector map you can enter it anywhere on the map (not just from the menu to the right of the map) via the mouse if you move the cursor just barely with the numkeys. To be clear:

Old

Enter Move to Position command:
c -- coms
1 -- nav
9 -- moveto
Enter -- Select sector from galaxy map
Lots of holding down a numkey to issue an order where you want it

~10 sec

New

Enter Move to position:
Same as a above except you just tap one of the num keys instead of holding it down
double click where ever you want the order to be completed.

~1 sec

With some macro software and the above fact you can create an RTS like interface:

Usage scenario:

I want to move a disco.
I left click on it in the sector map.
Press the moveto hotkey.
I'm immediately dumped back to the sector map I was just on(not the galaxy map).
Double left click wherever I want the disco to be.

This is possible using this macro:

Update--see new macro in 4th post

Code: Select all

Manual Left Click -- select disco inside sector map
Macro Key
  c -- Coms
  1 -- Nav
  9 -- moveto
  enter -- select current sector
  num 8 -- move cursor
Manual double left click -- select target position

This allows me to enter a moveto command to anything I can click on in the sector map in under 1 second. Of course it can be tailored to ANY command just by changing the relevant numbers.

I am now master of my fleet!

I'll see about frapsing (first have to download and get fraps working though) this in action just so you can actually understand how much faster this is...

Oh, I'm also going to take this opportunity to pimp my actual mod--Bomber and Shuttle Docking:

http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=257062

Goldfinch · Post by **Goldfinch** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 03:13

I'll give this a try with my G15, I've been looking for more useful things I can do with the macro keys.

Alkeena · Post by **Alkeena** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 03:26

Make sure to leave a slightly larger delay between 9 and enter...it takes some time to bring up the galaxy map.

I set the time delay between all key presses at 0.05 seconds, but from 9 to enter it's 0.2 seconds. The key press delays may need to be even a little longer depending on how bogged down your system gets.

Edit: I would like to point out that it works from your property menu too

Edit 2: Docked ships (from the property menu) have moveto as nav command 8, so consider throwing that in right after the 9, but quickly so it's hit before the galaxy map would have loaded if the 9 was successful.

irR4tiOn4L · Post by **irR4tiOn4L** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 06:10

My keyboard (Microsoft Sidewinder X6) allow me to program macros on the fly, and youve just given me a brilliant use for that! Thanks!

All ive used on it is so far is the 'repeat' key that lets me keep firing the repair laser while i go make a coffee

(Ive repaired M6's an TL's like this, but for ships with upward of 100 000 hull i advise lots of time, something else to do (hell, catch up on study!) and occassionaly check your suit's oxygen level)

Alkeena · Post by **Alkeena** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 06:58

Alright, I've managed to get all of the commands I care about up and running. There are a complications however due to the fact that there are different secondary command numbers based upon wares installed and docked/undocked/wing status.

I've found workable solutions for most issues though...

General macro format:

Code: Select all

1. Manual Left Click (to select order recipient from the sector map itself, the sector map sidebar, or your property menu; does not have to bring up the order menu, just highlight your ship)

2. Macro Key
    Time  Key Press
    0       C  (coms) 
    0.1    Com1 (main command branch #) 
    0.2    Com2 (specific command #) 
    0.3    Fail1 (failover command #1)
    0.4    Fail2 (failover command #2)
    0.5    Wait  (give galaxy map time to load.  Lower wait time based on absence of failcommands)
    0.7    Enter  (bypass galaxy to get straight to sector)
    0.8    Num8  (slightly move cursor to give you mouse control)

3. Manual Double Left Click (issue command wherever you want it)

4. Manual Right Click (Exit command screen back to sector map

This process takes me about ~1.5s to issue any of the commands below to anything I can click on (sector map; sector map sidebar; property screen; space) and keeps almost all of the actual pointing to the mouse, where it belongs.

Commands:

As noted above, there is some variance in command numbering based on the state the receiving ship is in. I will assume that every ship you are interested in has Fight Command 1, Fight Command 2, and Navigation Software. If you're ordering traders around without Fight command that's fine, just don't try to give them combat commands.

Trivial, fully functional commands that work in all states:

Attack...
Com1: 2
Com2: 1
Fail1: N/A
Fail2: N/A

--------------------------

Attack All
Com1: 2
Com2: 2
Fail1: N/A
Fail2: N/A

--------------------------

Protect...
Com1: 2
Com2: 4
Fail1: N/A
Fail2: N/A

--------------------------

Attack Target Nearest...
Com1: 2
Com2: 6
Fail1: N/A
Fail2: N/A

--------------------------

Defend Position
Com1: 2
Com2: 7
Fail1: N/A
Fail2: N/A

State Dependent Commands:

Dock at...

States:
Solo Docked Com2: 3
Wing Space/Docked Com2: 3
Solo Space Com2: 4 (3 = Dock @ My Target)

Suggested Macro:
Com1: 1
Com2: 3
Fail1: 4
Fail2: N/A

Do not have a target active when issuing the command to a ship in space that is not part of a wing.

--------------------------

Move to position:

States:
Solo Docked Com2: 8
Wing Space/Docked Com2: 5
Solo Space Com2: 9

Suggested Macro:
Com1: 1
Com2: 9
Fail1: 8
Fail2: 5

I don't have any wings with a nav commands numbered higher than 7 so this should work. If a wing nav command does get assigned 8 though I'd suggest dumping support for docked ships and just using 9-5 without ever issuing the command to docked ships.

--------------------------

Standby

States:
Solo Docked Com2: N/A (1 is idle, standby unavailable)
Wing Space/Docked Com2: 2 (1 is idle)
Solo Space Com2: 1 (2 is idle)

Suggested Macro:
Com1: 1
Com2: 1
Fail1: N/A
Fail2: N/A

This one is a pain since it varies so much between states. I just settled for inconsistent but somewhat similar results :-\

--------------------------

I know it looks like a lot of work, but honestly it makes fleet command MUCH faster and easier. Like factor of 10 faster...

Enjoy

Edit: For those curious I actually use a Saitek X52 HOTAS setup with a mouse nearby (now) for fleet commands. I just set up a custom shift state on toggle 6 to put me into fleet mode and mapped these controls to various buttons on the throttle. Accept = left mouse; cancel = right mouse; change map axis = middle mouse (yes you can plot in 3D with this--just click once to set the z coord, change the axis, and double click for x and y).

Feels almost like Homeworld

Gazz · Post by **Gazz** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 07:28

Just make sure your ships all have the same extensions installed because ship commands are sorted differently if not.
"9" might mean something different.

Alkeena · Post by **Alkeena** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 07:30

I'm pretty sure the first 9 are always consistent with fight1, fight2, and nav softwares. The one exception might be nav command 8 with wings; but I've yet to see it tbh.

Alkeena · Post by **Alkeena** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 09:29

Updated with video goodness.

Alkeena · Post by **Alkeena** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 17:22

Just as a stress test I just tried this with amazing success...

...I just took out a weapons dealer with an escort using only an M5 and a TS, while I was flying the TS...It was a pain but possible because I could micromanage a lot faster. I told the M5 to attack the M3 escorts to get their attention. I then moved the M5 away quickly (but not so fast/far to leave the sensor range of the escorts) and pulled them out until they were a reasonable distance from the dealer. I then ordered the M5 to loop around the escorts and approach the dealer from the front to avoid it's turrets. It was then just an issue of giving move and attack commands to make sure that the M5 stayed in front of the TS while it chipped away at it. Once the dealer was down and dropped its little pinata bits for me I ordered the M5 away to lure the escorts out and swooped in with my TS.

Naturally this would have been much easier if I just flew the M5, but I couldn't even contemplate trying it without the mouse interface. In the past only I could have been personally flying the M5. Now I have the option (and many others) not to.

Flozem · Post by **Flozem** » Fri, 4. Sep 09, 22:57

Heh - just created some macros for my Lachesis Razer mouse...

c1985
8c1985
8c1985
8c1985
8

Shame it isn't recognizing this macro in-game...

Does X3:TC even support more than 3 mouse buttons, because I am wondering whether that could be it.

Alkeena · Post by **Alkeena** » Sat, 5. Sep 09, 05:07

Flozem wrote:Heh - just created some macros for my Lachesis Razer mouse...

c1985
8c1985
8c1985
8c1985
8

Shame it isn't recognizing this macro in-game...

Does X3:TC even support more than 3 mouse buttons, because I am wondering whether that could be it.

I'm not sure about x3 recognizing more than 3 mouse buttons tbh. Generally speaking, If you've setup your macro program properly then the game shouldn't actually see any mouse button presses anyway, just some really fast keyboard input. I have absolutely zero experience with the razor though so vOv

As for for the macros you're attempting:

1) Make sure the 8 is a number pad 8 (except the failover 8 >.>)

2) The num8 should come after the commands have been issued--it's meant to move the cursor slightly once the sector map for issuing orders comes up. This then lets you proceed with the mouse. Having the num8 precede the command wouldn't accomplish too much really.

3) One explanation for the preceding 8s in your macros that I could think of is that perhaps you're trying to issue a move to position command 5 times in rapid succession. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that if you get this working, running this macro would just move whatever ship you selected very, very slightly north in the sector 5 times...

Flozem · Post by **Flozem** » Sat, 5. Sep 09, 10:42

Ah - the textual input is merely the result of me pushing the button with the macro a few times in succession. I used the num8... Could be the delay is too short as the Razer can only enter delays of 50ms. However, I also attached the single "c" button to a mouse button, and that one isn't working either...

Could be just the bad macro software of the mouse though. As it seems more gamers complain (google) of games that cope with razer buttons not being recognized.

Alkeena · Post by **Alkeena** » Sat, 5. Sep 09, 17:22

Flozem wrote:Ah - the textual input is merely the result of me pushing the button with the macro a few times in succession.

Ah, that makes sense then.

Flozem wrote: Could be just the bad macro software of the mouse though. As it seems more gamers complain (google) of games that cope with razer buttons not being recognized.

You could always try AutoHotkey to bind it to a keyboard button: http://www.autohotkey.com/

Flozem · Post by **Flozem** » Sat, 5. Sep 09, 19:40

Thanks for that link - gonna try it on my desktop tomorrow. Will keep you posted...

Edit: Tried it today - this is not working for me either... maybe this has something to do with how Vista handles directplay. Even the specific SendPlay command is not working. Ah well - will have to wait until Egosoft decides to put this in as a feature.