[MOD/Script] LI Freight Distribution Network (FDN) - v7.2 21/11/2010

stealthhammer · Post by **stealthhammer** » Sat, 23. May 09, 00:03

Thanks LA, I would play around but I don't not much about scripting for TC.
Thanks tho.

Logain Abler · Post by **Logain Abler** » Tue, 26. May 09, 09:08

Many thanks to StormMagi for hosting FDN downloads

http://www.stormmage.org/x3tc/fdn/FDN_Guide.pdf
http://www.stormmage.org/x3tc/fdn/FDNv3 ... 5.2009.spk
http://www.stormmage.org/x3tc/fdn/FDNv3.2.06.zip

http://www.stormmage.org/x3tc/fdn/lib.c ... s-2.97.spk

LA

StormMagi · Post by **StormMagi** » Tue, 26. May 09, 09:58

And on the modeling note. I have culled the X3TC stations for ideas and I have about 10 I am going to check out for sizing and go from there. I am going to need to modify at least two stations though

I will post pics when I have the models up for comparison/opinions

Logain Abler · Post by **Logain Abler** » Tue, 26. May 09, 10:13

StormMagi wrote:And on the modeling note. I have culled the X3TC stations for ideas and I have about 10 I am going to check out for sizing and go from there. I am going to need to modify at least two stations though I will post pics when I have the models up for comparison/opinions

Sounds great, looking forward to the pics

. I'm in the process of looking for a station model for my SSDN. Once I have that sorted I won't be far off an initial release.

Again, I'd love to use a Terran station but the size is far too restrictive for normal/smaller sectors. I will probably use a tweaked Argon Military Base which kind of fits the mods purpose.

LA

StormMagi · Post by **StormMagi** » Tue, 26. May 09, 21:07

Heh that is one of the models I am looking at.

Ok first up we have the XL and L options with a Phoenix in front for some size scale (please keep in mind that the docking capacity may or may not need to be modded in to the model, the numbers I am stating are my personal vision and may or may not happen).:

http://www.stormmage.org/x3tc/temp/xl%20&%20l.png

Unfortunately I was a little stupid and didn't put them in order. For XL we have (on the left) the Argon Super Shipyard. Long term goal would be to modify the model to remove those 4 long arms. On the right we have the OTAS HQ, my current plan would be to use as is. XL would have 4 docking points for large ships and at least 4 docking arms for smaller craft.

For L we have Duke's Haven. The long term goal would be to remove all but the center spindle (and mushroom top

) and readd in docking points for ships (shipyard booms probably for cap ships), 3 cap ship and 4 docking arms.

A possible alternative would be the Yaki Shipyard but it is a bit small for what I am envisioning.

For the Medium and Small nodes we have:

http://www.stormmage.org/x3tc/temp/med%20&%20small.png

On the left is a standart Military Outpost for the Medium Node. 2 cap ship docking points, 4 docking arms.

On the right we have the original(?) Goner Temple for the Small Node. 6 docking arms, no capital ship docking points.

LA, how did you set the price for the nodes @ shipyards?

Logain Abler · Post by **Logain Abler** » Tue, 26. May 09, 22:49

StormMagi

I think the OTAS would look great as the FDN Node with the spindles removed

I never thought of that

For the next version of FDN I plan on only have a single version, pust to keep things simple. That can always change

I'm using the Military Outpost for the SSDN Command & Conrtol Centre as its apt fro the purpose. I have that ingame now

StormMagi wrote: LA, how did you set the price for the nodes @ shipyards?

It's set in the TDock file.

LA

StormMagi · Post by **StormMagi** » Wed, 27. May 09, 00:41

I liked all the spindles on the OTAS, especially the bulbs around the edge since they reminded me of communication bubbles.

And as much as I like the idea of only one node, I prefer the variety as it seems a bit more 'real' to me but it is your mod

I am personally leaning toward the Argon SS w/o the four arms as the main hub, mainly b/c I think it looks the coolest and it has internal docking vs the OTAS external docking

No docking arm clogups for traders

As for your other mod, what about the Orbital Weapons Platforms? The small looks like it has a hanger and communications for controlling drone fleets.

Logain Abler · Post by **Logain Abler** » Wed, 27. May 09, 11:41

StormMagi wrote: As for your other mod, what about the Orbital Weapons Platforms? The small looks like it has a hanger and communications for controlling drone fleets.

I'll have a look

I like the Military Outpost as it gives me scope to expand SSDN to eventually support offensive fleet operations and supply.

It also has loads of docking

LA

StormMagi · Post by **StormMagi** » Wed, 27. May 09, 17:15

That is true since the weapon platforms have no docking that I am aware of. Then again I have never tried to dock with one either

I will start poking around FDN later today to figure out how to change the models for the Nodes. Then I will just have to export the models, buzzsaw off the parts I don't want, and learn how to patch up the holes

Roady1976 · Post by **Roady1976** » Thu, 28. May 09, 14:02

Install of Mod files:
The FDNv3.cat and .dat file can be placed in the mods folder or renamed to follow the game .cat and .dat files.

I want to Run Complex Cleaner and this mod at the same time, which you can't do through the mod selection package.
Could someone please clarify what this instruction means.

If i was to hazzard a guess.. in my X3 root dir there are cat and dat files which are numbered.. do i just rename to the next number?

Logain Abler · Post by **Logain Abler** » Thu, 28. May 09, 14:39

Roady1976 wrote:
Install of Mod files:
The FDNv3.cat and .dat file can be placed in the mods folder or renamed to follow the game .cat and .dat files.
I want to Run Complex Cleaner and this mod at the same time, which you can't do through the mod selection package.
Could someone please clarify what this instruction means.

If i was to hazzard a guess.. in my X3 root dir there are cat and dat files which are numbered.. do i just rename to the next number?

The data used by the games engine is held in cat & dat files which load in descending order

You can load a mod as a fake patch so you can use multiple mods.

To do this you go to the games directory and look for the cat & dat files.

Rename the FDN cat & dat to the next number in sequence.

If you load mods in this way it’s a good idea to make a txt file note of what’s, what.

You may also need to re-do this when any official game patches are released.

Good post by Apricotslice:
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=136357

LA

StormMagi · Post by **StormMagi** » Sat, 30. May 09, 00:15

I have the alternative stations in game and they look sweet, I imagine they will look even better once I remove the extra bits. But I am not sure when I can do that since I might be moving in the next week or so. If anyone else is interested in taking a look let me know and I will post the modified files (if LA is ok with that).

Logain Abler · Post by **Logain Abler** » Sat, 30. May 09, 10:13

StormMagi wrote:I have the alternative stations in game and they look sweet, I imagine they will look even better once I remove the extra bits. But I am not sure when I can do that since I might be moving in the next week or so. If anyone else is interested in taking a look let me know and I will post the modified files (if LA is ok with that).

Hi StormMagi,

Post the files & I'll work with you on this, I have all the tools.

LA

StormMagi · Post by **StormMagi** » Sat, 30. May 09, 20:30

The station files or the modified Tdock? If all goes well tomorrow evening or Monday (since I have a wedding to attend tonight and out of town a fair amount tomorrow) I was going to start playing with the models as well.

sstbrg · Post by **sstbrg** » Sun, 31. May 09, 15:27

I have a problem.

In Ore Belt, I own two complexes (2 mines and 2 SPPs) and two other mines, they are all separated - that's why I decided to use FDN - to make all of the products and resources available from one station (node).

Now, I have assigned one guy (for now) to sell silicon, and one guy to buy crystals (the energy to the mines is supplied from my SPP complex through the node - this part works).

The part which doesn't work is the guy who needs to sell Silicon - he keeps loading and unloading the silicon into and from his cargo bay.
I'm running SETA and he just keeps loading and unloading back to the node.

Till now I'm using the original buy & sell for best price scripts and FDN.
Stations and complexes are linked to the node of course.

No idea what's wrong, maybe I shouldn't even use FDN for this, I don't know.

As a side note, I also tried CAG on the node, and I guess that's also the reason why CAG doesn't work with it. The CAG shopper who buys crystals does get them, but when I assign another CAG to sell silicon (or ore or ore and silicon) - he just sits there on standby. I already posted a question whether it's possible to combine these two mods together in the CAG thread.

Logain Abler · Post by **Logain Abler** » Sun, 31. May 09, 19:47

sstbrg wrote:I have a problem.

In Ore Belt, I own two complexes (2 mines and 2 SPPs) and two other mines, they are all separated - that's why I decided to use FDN - to make all of the products and resources available from one station (node).

Now, I have assigned one guy (for now) to sell silicon, and one guy to buy crystals (the energy to the mines is supplied from my SPP complex through the node - this part works).

The part which doesn't work is the guy who needs to sell Silicon - he keeps loading and unloading the silicon into and from his cargo bay.
I'm running SETA and he just keeps loading and unloading back to the node.

Till now I'm using the original buy & sell for best price scripts and FDN.
Stations and complexes are linked to the node of course.

No idea what's wrong, maybe I shouldn't even use FDN for this, I don't know.

As a side note, I also tried CAG on the node, and I guess that's also the reason why CAG doesn't work with it. The CAG shopper who buys crystals does get them, but when I assign another CAG to sell silicon (or ore or ore and silicon) - he just sits there on standby. I already posted a question whether it's possible to combine these two mods together in the CAG thread.

There is no reason why the inbuilt and player written trade scripts shouldn't work from the Node as its just another Dock. However I added the Trade Post so that there is an outlet available that keeps traders away from Nodes.

Nodes (FDNs) sole purpose is to distribute wares rather than to facilitate trade. But still, its the games logic or script that dictate trade. FDN in no way should affect this

LA

sstbrg · Post by **sstbrg** » Sun, 31. May 09, 20:55

Then I have no idea what's happening...

I'd really like to be able to use FDN for what I told, that will make things so better manageable.

If there's nothing to do, I guess I'll just go and buy more TS ships

Logain Abler · Post by **Logain Abler** » Sun, 31. May 09, 21:04

sstbrg wrote:Then I have no idea what's happening...

I'd really like to be able to use FDN for what I told, that will make things so better manageable.

If there's nothing to do, I guess I'll just go and buy more TS ships

Try using a FDN Trade Post, link it to the Node, set what wares you want to sell and what level of wares to maintain at the Post. Set the Trade Post as the Home base of the TS.

For me its a real cash cow if you get the location & wares right.

LA

sstbrg · Post by **sstbrg** » Sun, 31. May 09, 21:20

Got you, I'll try that.
I just like things to be tidy

And mines spread across Ore Belt (and other similar sectors) is not tidy

Logain Abler · Post by **Logain Abler** » Sun, 31. May 09, 21:43

sstbrg wrote:Got you, I'll try that.
I just like things to be tidy
And mines spread across Ore Belt (and other similar sectors) is not tidy

Welcome to my OCD world