Ground vehicle loop? Any ideas?

[MadTommy]

I know there is no default way to set ground vehicles to do a continuous loop between waypoints. I also know there are lots of creative folk and often a little lateral thinking can get around this type of restriction..

 

So has anyone figured a workaround method to get vehicles to to travel is a loop type fashion?

 

At the minute the only way is to set a lot of waypoints.. is there a better way?

 

Thanks

[Grimes]

[ATTACH]48521[/ATTACH] Found the file:D

 

 

 

Do while loops with switch formation commands.

 

Formations are all formed based off of a units relative location to the first alive unit in the group. It is possible to fake patrol paths by commanding a group to "stop and form template." In the following example X is unit 1, and Y is unit 2. Every so many seconds trigger "Stop and form template" each time iterating to the next formation. They will drive in circles for hours.

 

Form1

y----------
------x----
-----------

Form 2

-----------y
------x-----
------------

Form 3

------------
------x-----
------------y

Form 4

------------
-----x-------
y-----------

Stuff to know about this.

 

• Units will not take evasive action if shot at by aircraft while they are forming a template.
  
• A timeout of approx 60 seconds exists to form a given template. If the timeout is reached the units will simply stop in place.
  
• Positions are relative to the reference units XY location and aspect. Which makes setting this up hellish if you are going to have waypoints as part of their path.
  
• If the reference unit is killed, the next alive unit in the group becomes the reference unit. This will likely offset future formations. If waypoints are present the reference unit might move to the appropriate location.
  
• As units are killed the higher number units will still follow "fill in the ranks" AI rules and will attempt to replace the killed units location.
  
• It is theoretically possible to use this method to create a force capable of advancing, flanking, or retreating dynamically based on the current situation within the mission.
  

I made a demo mission a while back and I think I might have uploaded it to the forums once. I'll try to locate it.

Edited June 13, 2011 by Grimes

[MadTommy]

If anyone fits the bill of 'creative folk', Grimes you sir fit the bill! :thumbup:

 

I'll have a look at the demo, as admittedly on 1st read i'm not quite following this.

 

Thanks a lot. (rep inbound) edit: oh ffs.. i can't give you rep.. this is the 3rd time in the last 48hrs to 3 different people.. why is it always the same people i want to rep :)

 

EDIT2:

 

Looking at the demo did not initially help.. but when i recreated it and saw that the SE, SW, NE, NW templates were built into the editor the light went on!

 

Great find.. i now have fire trucks etc patrolling my airfield. :)

 

One thing that i could not workout was how to get more than one vehicle to move.. as when there were more than two vehicle in the group.. only one would move. So i simply added more two vehicle groups.

Edited June 13, 2011 by MadTommy

[Grimes]

The mission file is pretty self explanatory. Just load it up, look at the triggers, then start the simulation. Hit ctrl Z a couple of times and watch the Vulcan drive around it circles.

 

Its basically movement without waypoints. It can be used to make some VERY hellish random locations of targets, often times without an tactical sense (it is random afterall.) I implemented it in On Station, needless to say a single Tor got at least 8 kills that night and I had to nerf the probability of that mission spawning.