A trigger to activate a trigger zone

[104th_Money]

Is there any way to activate a trigger zone with another trigger zone. I want to have a flight path for an aircraft that enters a trigger zone en route to the target area. I also want to have another trigger zone for the aircraft as it returns. The problem is that the aircraft flying en route enters both trigger zones.

Thanks, Money

[Rudel_chw]

14 minutes ago, 104th_Money said:

The problem is that the aircraft flying en route enters both trigger zones.

You have to add a Flag, say "Returning" .. set it to False when beginning the flight and set it to True once the target has been reached, then you can use as conditions:

 

aircraft inside zone 1 and Returning is false

aircraft inside zone 2 and returning is true 

[104th_Money]

Rudel, thank you for replying. I sort of understand the logic on it, but in the mission editor I really dont see anything that would give me those options.

If you have a chance, could you be more specific for me in the logic selections?

Thank you so much, Money

 

[Exorcet]

You just need something to determine the state of the flight. Are they on the return leg or not?

In the triggers menu something like ONCE > (whatever condition indicates that the flight is returning) > Flag "Returning" On

Then you need to take the condition of the flag "Returning" into account in your existing trigger zone triggers.

You can search for flags in the DCS User Manual for more information, the 2020 version is the latest.

[104th_Money]

Exorcet,

Thanks for the reply. Im going to have to read the user manual more and probably check out some YT videos but I think I am starting to understand the logic for it.

It would be so much easier just to set a 1 time event like a group dead that late activates a trigger zone then that trigger zone completes its own events.

I did also read about moving zones, which I was unaware of how they worked. That could save alot of time for me setting mission triggers.

Thanks, Money

[104th_Money]

@Exorcet

@Rudel_chw

Thank you both for steering me in the right direction. I was able to add a flag true trigger to a coalition out of zone trigger then add the flag true trigger to the condition of the trigger zone that I only wanted to be active after flight was returning. Worked perfectly.

I really appreciate the help from both of you!

Money

 

[DishDoggie]

I would use a Moving zone attached to my plane "My Plane" then two other zones "HB" & "TA" = Moving zone MP = My Plane & HB= Home Base & TA = Target Attack

MISSION START: NO CONDITION or IF NEEDED    ACTION or THEN = Set Flag OFF 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 & 9 & 10

1Once Trigger: IF Moving Zone "MP" is Inside Zone "HB" & IF Moving Zone "MP" is Outside Zone "TA" & Flag False 10 THEN set flag on (1) 

1Once Trigger: IF Moving Zone MP inside zone HB & Flag 1 is True & Moving Zone MP Outside Zone TA THEN Flag on (2) & Set Flag Value 2:1 & Flag On 3

2Repetitive Action: IF Flag is True (2) & Flag 2 Equals Value: 1 & Time since flag 3 = ?? THEN Set Flag Value 2:2 & Flag Off 3 & Flag On 4 (However much time is needed to trip any flag before this trigger is repeated. NOTE: if you only want this flag to trip 1 time. The amount of time to give would = how much time is needed to fly into the next zone or to be in Both Zones at the same time. or to trip the next trigger.)

2Repetitive Action: IF Flag 2 Equals: 2 & Flag is False 3 & Flag Off 5 & Time Since Flag 4 = ?? THEN Set Flag Value 2:1 Flag On 3 Flag Off 4 Now if you think about this and lets say you put a 30 sec time limit on both Repetitive actions they will CYCLE from one to the other every 30 Sec. NON STOP till trigger 5 is ON to stops them. 

1Once Trigger: IF Unit Dead Whatever Unit you kill and its time to return If Unit Dead  THEN Flag On 5

TO GO BACK THE OTHER DIRECTION

you would set it up the same way with other flag numbers so the editor will know what direction the plane is moving from and to. 

1Once Trigger: IF Moving Zone MP is Inside Zone TA & Zone MP is Out of Zone HB & Flag 5 is True THEN Set Flag on (6) & Flag Off 1, 2, 3, & 4

1Once Trigger: IF Moving Zone MP is in Zone TA & Zone MP is Out of Zone HB & Flag True (6)  THEN Flag On (7) & Set Flag Value 7:1 & Flag On 8

2Repetitive Action: IF Flag 7 Equals Value: 1 & Time Since Flag 8 = ??  THEN Set Flag Value 7:2 & Flag Off 8 & Flag On 9

2Repetitive Action: IF Flag 7 Equals 2 & Flag is False 10 & Flag is False 8 & Time Since Flag 9 = ?? THEN Set Flag Value 7:1 & Flag On 8 & Flag Off 9 

1Once Trigger: IF Moving Zone MP inside HB & Moving Zone MP Outside Zone TA & Flag True 5 THEN Flag On: 10 Flag Off 5,6,7,8,9 Plus whatever other action you need The Above Repetitive Action will stop. Keep in Mind The Reason for the Repetitive Action 2nd Events With the Proper Time set and / or proper SINGLE ACTION command added can be used to do whatever your needs are OR stopped with when Flag 5 or 10 is turned on with some trigger you use or set up Without knowing way more information on what you are trying to do and the needs of the mission. You can ADD more ACTION EVENTS to triggers above if needed. If No Help No Big Deal I just had nothing to do so I Got Crazy with it. lol

[104th_Money]

DishDoggie,

I appreciate the help. Im just beginning to get the grasp of the flags so most of the stuff you put is way beyond my current comprehension level.

What I was having issues with is this. I have a flight of Apaches taking off. They have a primary tasking that must be completed. I have a trigger zone that activates units and messages for the inbound flight. I also have a second trigger zone that I was using for the return flight. The problem I was having is that the flight had to fly through both trigger zones at the same time during the inbound portion. My solution was to make the return flight trigger zone much smaller near a main road, which is easily accomplished when I was in command of the 2 ship as I could just tell my wingman to join up close on me and fly the same route as I was. This would create an issue for someone else leading the mission that wouldnt know you had to fly the main road back to pass through the return trigger zone.

My solution was to create an additional trigger zone that had all of coalition out of zone in the primary target area create a flag true. Then for the return trip trigger zone I put part of group in zone and the flag true to activate the triggers in the return trip trigger zone. Worked out quite nicely once I was able to get a minor grip on flags. In the future this will definitely allow me to expand my creations in mission making. 

My next goal is to create some sort of ATC messages using triggers and flags, I hate the in game ATC. In the same mission I had to create a trigger zone right in front of the aircraft when it takes off, giving clearance for takeoff, current winds and flyout headings. It should be before takeoff though. I thought of putting the first message on a timer, the problem is if there is any RL delay in takeoff, the message wouldnt appear at the right time. I am starting to look at aircraft conditions to accomplish, but I tried using an altitude trigger to trigger the message and it did not work. Another issue that I am running into is that if I set up messages for outbound/inbound with trigger zones, if you take off and trigger the outbound then RTB to rearm/refuel and trigger the inbound, it wouldnt trigger a second outbound and inbound message for another takeoff and landing.

This mission editor is so powerful, I just feel like they could make it much more user friendly in accomplishing things, its quite complicated especially for a new mission creator.

Thanks, Money

 

Edited August 10, 2022 by 104th_Money