In-Game Scratchpad Mod Available - Works Great In VR!

[VirusAM]

On 12/3/2023 at 10:39 PM, Str][ker said:

You should check the video which I made to demonstrate Scratchpad with the mod. I provide step-by-step instructions for installing it all as well. If you can follow those steps, you should be golden. The video was linked in one of my earlier posts here.

Hi, I tried to use the mod to transfer some waypoints into the F-15E. Did something changed since your video? With target points I get just flashing numbers in the UFC, and yes before clicking "load waypoints" I pressed menu to enter menu1 in the UFC.

[Str][ker]

10 hours ago, VirusAM said:

Hi, I tried to use the mod to transfer some waypoints into the F-15E. Did something changed since your video? With target points I get just flashing numbers in the UFC, and yes before clicking "load waypoints" I pressed menu to enter menu1 in the UFC.

There has not been any change which should impact how this works.

You may have been trying to edit an active waypoint which causes this to fail as you can't edit your currently selected steerpoint. You also can't edit existing target points using this method. Also, needing to select Menu 1 is no longer needed as Draken35 updated the mod to handle this.

I recommend picking some number as the starting waypoint. Let's say 50. Use the key mentioned to insert that into the scratchpad display and then edit the # symbol to 50. Press return to start a new line. Then add a couple of waypoints using scratchpad. Edit each # spot to add a period after it. This ensures it's a target point. Then perform the import.

I also made a new video of the F-15E Strike Eagle to demonstrate how to configure JDAMs. In it I demonstrate using Scratchpad plus the mod to create waypoints and automatically enter them. Have a look at it if you are still uncertain.

So. Do not add steerpoints or target points which will overwrite your currently selected steerpoint (default is 1A). Do not overwrite existing Target points. You need to delete them first (and do not have one which you are attempting to delete, set as the active steerpoint). If you adhere to these requirements, you should be good to go.

 

Lastly, did you install the latest version of the mod?

 

And a later update to it here.. (you need the original mod as well.. this just updates it)

 

 

[VirusAM]

11 minutes ago, Str][ker said:

There has not been any change which should impact how this works.

You may have been trying to edit an active waypoint which causes this to fail as you can't edit your currently selected steerpoint. You also can't edit existing target points using this method. Also, needing to select Menu 1 is no longer needed as Draken35 updated the mod to handle this.

I recommend picking some number as the starting waypoint. Let's say 50. Use the key mentioned to insert that into the scratchpad display and then edit the # symbol to 50. Press return to start a new line. Then add a couple of waypoints using scratchpad. Edit each # spot to add a period after it. This ensures it's a target point. Then perform the import.

I also made a new video of the F-15E Strike Eagle to demonstrate how to configure JDAMs. In it I demonstrate using Scratchpad plus the mod to create waypoints and automatically enter them. Have a look at it if you are still uncertain.

So. Do not add steerpoints or target points which will overwrite your currently selected steerpoint (default is 1A). Do not overwrite existing Target points. You need to delete them first (and do not have one which you are attempting to delete, set as the active steerpoint). If you adhere to these requirements, you should be good to go.

 

Lastly, did you install the latest version of the mod?

 

And a later update to it here.. (you need the original mod as well.. this just updates it)

 

 

thanks. I will try that, and I will also watch your video.

Yes the mod should be at its latest version.il

I'll update you

[Recluse]

As @Str][ker mentioned above  If you are trying to overwrite a TARGET point with a WAYPOINT it will fail because the Scratchpad is trying to pull up a WAYPOINT (no DOT) and you will get the flashing FAIL because there is no WAYPOINT with that number. You need to make it a Target Point for Scratchpad to over-write it.  (e.g. 3.A to overwrite Target Point 3) You will get the same error trying to do this manually.   It drove me crazy for awhile.

 

Another thing:  IF you have NO Nav points set up, it will default to "B" which is essentially WP 0.  For Scratchpad or to start populating manually, you should give it the A to start the sequence as just the numbers don't seem to want to create new B points.

Edited December 5, 2023 by Recluse

[Str][ker]

9 minutes ago, Recluse said:

As @Str][ker mentioned above  If you are trying to overwrite a TARGET point with a WAYPOINT it will fail because the Scratchpad is trying to pull up a WAYPOINT (no DOT) and you will get the flashing FAIL because there is no WAYPOINT with that number. You need to make it a Target Point for Scratchpad to over-write it.  (e.g. 3.A to overwrite Target Point 3) You will get the same error trying to do this manually.   It drove me crazy for awhile.

 

Another thing:  IF you have NO Nav points set up, it will default to "1B" which is essentially WP 0.  For Scratchpad or to start populating manually, you should give it the A to start the sequence as just the numbers don't seem to want to create new B points.

 

@VirusAM Yes! I forgot about the issue with no waypoints! For the JDAMs video, I created the basic mission but never added a waypoint in the mission editor. This resulted in Scratchpad + mod failing to enter in data. Once I set a waypoint in the mission editor, it populated as 1A in the Strike Eagle and then scratchpad+mod worked. This could be the issue as well! (so many little things!)

[Draken35]

1 hour ago, Recluse said:

Another thing:  IF you have NO Nav points set up, it will default to "B" which is essentially WP 0.  For Scratchpad or to start populating manually, you should give it the A to start the sequence as just the numbers don't seem to want to create new B points.

At least until Razbam changes that again.... 

 

[VirusAM]

10 hours ago, Str][ker said:

@VirusAM Yes! I forgot about the issue with no waypoints! For the JDAMs video, I created the basic mission but never added a waypoint in the mission editor. This resulted in Scratchpad + mod failing to enter in data. Once I set a waypoint in the mission editor, it populated as 1A in the Strike Eagle and then scratchpad+mod worked. This could be the issue as well! (so many little things!)

Oh yes...It could very well be...will check later

[Recluse]

So let me add something I just "discovered" which was probably already obvious to everyone.

Building on @Str][ker's excellent video (Yes I finally did watch the whole thing!!) I have been messing with JDAM and SCRATCHPAD a lot.  Here was my EUREKA moment.

 

- Let's say you have a bunch of Sequence Points already.  A mix of Steer and Target.  Now you want to designate a bunch of Targets for your JDAM handoff.

- Sure, I know I have 10 Sequence Points, so I can just start at 11. either using the WSS parameter or denoting each Scratchpad coord with the number.

- BUT the strike Eagle lets you have multiple routes, A, B, C.. so assuming your NAV points are all in the A hierarchy, you can do the following:

Set Scratchpad WSS to @<1.C>

Set all subsequent WDes Coordinates to @[#.]   <----Note the . for Target point

Upon entering the coordinates from Scratchpad, you will get a Route of Targets as 1.C, 2.C, 3.C etc... which is totally distinct from your existing A route Sequence.

To load your JDAM, Start with entering 1.C  and henceforth, just enter 2., 3., 4. etc.. and the Jet will know you want to continue with C route.

Once your JDAMS are loaded, you can return to 1.A or whatever A sequence point you want to fly your route.

 

Edited December 14, 2023 by Recluse

[Str][ker]

Yes! That’s a great use of the multiple navigation routes in the Strike Eagle and probably the smarter way to do it within DCS. Leave your navigation on A and then use B or C for your targets. People would just need to remember to switch back and forth as needed. Not to get too deep off subject but it’s relevant to nav points in the Strike Eagle. Here’s a great video from Casmo in which he uses the three different Nav letters to create three different flight routes using List Points (created in the mission editor). 

 

[Recluse]

Yeah, honestly, THAT video was what gave me the idea to try out the different routes for the JDAM programming.  I had sort of gotten the idea when trying to enter sequence points in a jet that had NO sequence points and only "B". I found I could enter 1A or 1.A into Scratchpad to create the A sequence AND  I think it (or maybe another video) clued me into the entering SHIFT B to get back to "Waypoint zero" (or "B") when another sequence had been added.  I was trying 1B to no avail, and didn't realize it was just "B".

 

The LIST points are very powerful, but, until there is a true DTC, they rely on putting the points in the Mission Editor, so might not be generally available (e.g. on Mulitplayer servers).

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Recluse

[Draken35]

Update: December 18th. 2023.

Support for Mirage F1EE added.
WSS and WDes currently have no function and the load sequence will start (and override) the currently selected waypoint. 

If you have a prior version of my scratchpad, you can update the extension only (02-QWERTY_KB and Load Coordinates.lua). If not do a full install. Both files attached

02-QWERTY_KB and Load Coordinates.lua dcs-scratchpad (Draken35)-0.7.0.231218a.zip

Edited December 18, 2023 by Draken35

[Str][ker]

Hey @Draken35, does the link to the full installer also include the F-15 Strike Eagle data entry rate fix? You had released that as a minor update previously.. Just want to know what to suggest to people who want to grab the mod. Thanks!

 

 

[Draken35]

2 minutes ago, Str][ker said:

Hey @Draken35, does the link to the full installer also include the F-15 Strike Eagle data entry rate fix? You had released that as a minor update previously.. Just want to know what to suggest to people who want to grab the mod. Thanks!

 

 

Yes, that is the most current version, as I'm running it

 

[Captain Orso]

Hi Draken!

Since rkusa has the ability to use extensions in his code, is there any difference between the rkusa base installation and your branch--possible differences in extensions excluded?

[Draken35]

57 minutes ago, Captain Orso said:

Hi Draken!

Since rkusa has the ability to use extensions in his code, is there any difference between the rkusa base installation and your branch--possible differences in extensions excluded?

Yes, that is the reason why a full install is provided as opposed as only the extension

[SPAS79]

On 10/29/2023 at 10:04 AM, SPAS79 said:

I'm working on it and not sure I can make it work as some of the logic still escapes me, but I think I have the main blocks down. 

I will of course publish it as a fork on git when it's ready. 

The deed is done 
(hopefully I have uploaded the functioning files)

 

[SPAS79]

On 12/18/2023 at 6:46 PM, Draken35 said:

Update: December 18th. 2023.

Support for Mirage F1EE added.
WSS and WDes currently have no function and the load sequence will start (and override) the currently selected waypoint. 

If you have a prior version of my scratchpad, you can update the extension only (02-QWERTY_KB and Load Coordinates.lua). If not do a full install. Both files attached

02-QWERTY_KB and Load Coordinates.lua 39.02 kB · 20 downloads dcs-scratchpad (Draken35)-0.7.0.231218a.zip 27.02 kB · 26 downloads

 

Ah Jesus! Can we merge this stuff?

On 10/29/2023 at 2:06 AM, jnr4817 said:

Will you post link of your fork for the 60? Thank you

Done, looking into merging the new Mirage code into it. 
Fork is here https://github.com/SPAS79/dcs-scratchpad

Edited December 20, 2023 by SPAS79

[greyeagle787]

Just getting back into the Hornet after a while helicoptering. I have the latest version of @Draken35’s mod. It works fine except for the fact that it won’t load the 1st waypoint I have in the scratchpad. For example, I had waypoint 4 up on the HSI (all zeros) and it skipped that and loaded the scratchpad’s 2nd and 3rd waypoints into HSI 5 and 6. I had “precise” selected. Did I miss something?? Thanks

[Draken35]

5 hours ago, SPAS79 said:

Ah Jesus! Can we merge this stuff?

 

Are you planning in adding any other module? If not I can add it to my code ( I do have plans for other modules), properly crediting you for it Did you modified the extension only?

@greyeagle787 I haven't flown the Hornet in a while and that code hasn't been touched in recent updates of my version. I'll test when I have a chance. but it should load starting in the currently selected waypoint, using the MPCD. There are no distinctions between the wp in the list to be loaded. @Recluse have you had any issues with the Hornet and the 12/18 version of Scratchpad?

Edited December 21, 2023 by Draken35

[greyeagle787]

3 hours ago, Draken35 said:

@greyeagle787 I haven't flown the Hornet in a while and that code hasn't been touched in recent updates of my version. I'll test when I have a chance. but it should load starting in the currently selected waypoint, using the MPCD. There are no distinctions between the wp in the list to be loaded. @Recluse have you had any issues with the Hornet and the 12/18 version of Scratchpad?

 

@Draken35Thanks for checking! I did use the MPCD but the upload skipped the 1st scratchpad waypoint and MPCD waypoint but loaded the subsequent waypoints correctly. Did notice a couple of “error” msgs in the UFC as it was uploading.

Edited December 21, 2023 by greyeagle787

[Draken35]

8 hours ago, greyeagle787 said:

@Draken35Thanks for checking! I did use the MPCD but the upload skipped the 1st scratchpad waypoint and MPCD waypoint but loaded the subsequent waypoints correctly. Did notice a couple of “error” msgs in the UFC as it was uploading.

 

I had no issues loading waypoints in the Hornet... Are in VR or pancake mode? If the later, try increasing the ticks to slow down the load in this file

Edited December 21, 2023 by Draken35

[Recluse]

14 hours ago, greyeagle787 said:

Just getting back into the Hornet after a while helicoptering. I have the latest version of @Draken35’s mod. It works fine except for the fact that it won’t load the 1st waypoint I have in the scratchpad. For example, I had waypoint 4 up on the HSI (all zeros) and it skipped that and loaded the scratchpad’s 2nd and 3rd waypoints into HSI 5 and 6. I had “precise” selected. Did I miss something?? Thanks

There have been a lot of updates to the Scratchpad.  THE original versions were skipping the first WP in the HORNET (assuming you wanted to use if for something like BULLSEYE) but this limitation was removed (by @Draken35) in later versions. Make sure you grab the LATEST version and all should work fine. (I know you said you had it, but there have been a lot of updates recently.  Most recently, there should be a full download that should be the MOST up to date).  I have been using the Hornet and Mudhen quite a lot and they both have been working fine.  (Also Mirage2000 and Harrier, but not as much)

Error messages could indeed be related to the TICKS setting especially in Pancake mode.

Edited December 21, 2023 by Recluse

[greyeagle787]

1 hour ago, Draken35 said:

I had no issues loading waypoints in the Hornet... Are in VR or pancake mode? If the later, try increasing the ticks to slow down the load in this file

 

I did check in pancake but will try in VR today and up the ticks if necessary, Many Thanks!

[greyeagle787]

9 minutes ago, Recluse said:

There have been a lot of updates to the Scratchpad.  THE original versions were skipping the first WP in the HORNET (assuming you wanted to use if for something like BULLSEYE) but this limitation was removed (by @Draken35) in later versions. Make sure you grab the LATEST version and all should work fine. (I know you sai you had it, but there have been a lot of updates recently.  Most recently, there should be a full download that should be the MOST up to date).  

 

Just installed 0.7.0.231218a. This is the latest, right?

[Recluse]

1 minute ago, greyeagle787 said:

Just installed 0.7.0.231218a. This is the latest, right?

Yes I do believe so, at least until it Merges with @SPAS79 UH-60L update