Navigation hud

Nigel_Strange · Post by **Nigel_Strange** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:27 am

Currently there are 3 hud modes that you can cycle through: no hud, regular hud, and a kind of minimal hud (not in that order). The third one has the regular features, but without the attitude tape or the velocity particle indicators.

What if there was a navigation-specific hud?

I could see the nav hud replacing the minimal hud which I don't use (and I'm not sure who does, as the regular hud has all the features for combat and navigation).

The nav hud could also be an additional hud cycle option.

What makes it different would be the emphasis on navigation. This means a more precise pitch tape and yaw tape, so that when your science officer suggests a specific heading, you don't have as much guesswork to do: you can align your ship more precisely because the hud markers are more precise. I don't know if this means bigger tapes with more lines, or simply more lines and numbers. The upshot is to have an optional hud that is more navigation-friendly than the standard one, which is sufficient for most navigation, but could be more detailed if navigation is your focus. It might get in the way of combat, but if you're searching for that special something for that special someone, and you aren't on contract to slaughter everyone in the sector, it might be useful.

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:24 pm

You can mod the hud tape to be any way you want it and one type for all may not work. I.E. what one wants another does not. I have swithched hud tapes from others mods to get one I like.

Post by **Marvin** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:47 pm

You can mod both the attitude indicator (hudtape.bmp) and the overhead compass (compass.jpg) for greater accuracy. Else, the "minimal" mode is about all you need when you're not navigating, anyway ... so the current three options should suffice.

Ali Fish · Post by **Ali Fish** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:29 am

I'd welcome a seperate hud specifically for navigation and the emphasis it would bring. be great to have a better strafe indicator for the inertial systems too. for each and every new little realistic procedure comes some form of immersion.

another thing i would find very emmersive is to not have the IDS engine mode as standard, purchased seperatly at various levels, the levels dictating a percentage intervention over the inertial system... just a thought.. i realise it would make things a little tougher especially combat.

[Edited on 19-3-2009 by Ali Fish]

Nigel_Strange · Post by **Nigel_Strange** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 7:14 am

I've created a serviceable navigation hud. I am not sure how to include files to upload, otherwise, I would add it. It's mainly just an altered hud pitch tape and gunsight. Because I use the MDTS thing for auto aiming, I don't need the crosshairs directly, all I need is a circle indicating the area for locking onto the target. I moved the tape to the outside edge of this area, and also added lines for every 2 degrees, so it takes the guesswork out of lining up with a specific pitch. If the navguy says -2 degrees, you can line up to it. Comes in blue or green.

As for IDS, I kinda like it the way it is. I played a game called Rogue Universe. It has a file whereby you can edit the physics, so naturally, I removed all the friction from space. What I found was that it was impossible to dock with any stations, because you're supposed to be motionless when you try to land. Also, there is no reverse thrust control, so if you want to stop, you have to pull a 180 and apply thrust. Of course, you can never time it just right, so you end up drifting a bit. IDS is a very important tool that we should not take too much for granted, as without it, life would be pretty inconvenient.