Menu of science experiments

[Mihara]

I am quite definite it's possible, though I don't relish the perspective of new work. :)

[MOARdV]

Science experiments, along with science ready to transmit. I guess I need to dig into the whole science system a little bit more deeply.

[Kerbas-ad-astra]

Somebody asked about ScienceAlert/RPM integration in the SA thread, but it might be worthwhile to look at it from this end as well.

[MOARdV]

I'm putting this officially on the "I'm never getting to this" pile. I've made several starts, but I don't play career, so I've never gotten anywhere with the list of features that are needed and how to present the information.

[JonnyOThan]

I'd love to try to tackle this, because I want to start an IVA-only career game. I'm a programmer, but I have no experience modding KSP (huge red flag, I know). Can you share your thoughts on this to give me a starting point? I'll start poking around at it on my own too.

[MOARdV]

Can you share your thoughts on this to give me a starting point? I'll start poking around at it on my own too.

KSP is not well documented, which is the major challenge. There are some sticky posts in the Plugin Development Help forum that provide some info, and there are some other science-related mods that may provide some insight.

If you were going to add science support, I'd recommend contributing to MOARdV's Avionics Systems, since RPM is not under active development. I've been keeping the plugin functional, and fixing major breaks introduced by KSP updates, but RPM is otherwise on hold. If you'd prefer working in RPM, that's fine.

[JonnyOThan]

Interesting. I think I’ll stick with RPM, because all of the cockpits I want to use are already available with that system.

I got a basic text-based MFD page working that can run, collect, and reset experiments. It needs a lot of refinement but I was happy to get something functional so quickly. Your documentation is pretty good!

If I wanted to implement an interface to something like [x] science, do you think it would be a better idea to build it into that mod instead?

[MOARdV]

If I wanted to implement an interface to something like [x] science, do you think it would be a better idea to build it into that mod instead?

One option is to build a bridge DLL, similar to what both ScanSAT and Dock Port Alignment Indicator do. This is a DLL that's hard-linked (references) both mods that provides a couple of defined entry points that RPM can be configured to use to add the additional page seamlessly into an MFD. A secondary benefit of this approach is that MAS is able to use those same entry points to allow that functionality to work on a MAS MFD, as well.

[JonnyOThan]

I’ve been talking to some other IVA-focused mod devs and they urged me to submit my science page stuff as a pull request. I’m going to try to get it polished - is that something you’d consider? I’d also like to start contributing to MAS. What’s the best way to get in touch with you?

[MOARdV]

is that something you’d consider?

At the present, I have no plans to release future updates of RPM. My modding time is very limited, and I would prefer focusing that time on MAS. I do not have an objection to you releasing any RPM patches separately.

What’s the best way to get in touch with you?

You are welcome to open an issue on the AvionicsSystems GitHub site if the proposal is succinct. If it involves some discussion, please feel free to contact me by PM at the KSP forum. It may take me some time to reply, depending on how busy I am.