Routing in Galaxy Map

[Pest]

Currently (1.05) routing appears to be a brute force approach. It plots ALL possible routes from your current location outwards. If you select a target destination far away you have to wait until this "growing sphere" of routes touches our target.
Routing can be a difficult job. Therefore I propose the following different approach: Instead of the sphere shape, use a barrel (cylinder) shape which ends at the target. With an initial radius of 1x the maximum jump range of the current vessel it should be possible to find a way from current position to the target. Once this barrel is calculated you may extend the radius - just like with the current sphere-shaped approach.
That way one does not need to wait such a long time for finding a route to your target.

As an alternate / or additional feature: While the routes are calculated: Highlight the system which is closest to the selected target. So, one could already fly there and not having to wait for the route to complete.

 

[slovenlyimp]

Bump.

With that geometry, perhaps route planning could be done "on demand" when the user asks to plot a route to a system without too long a wait. Route planning could even begin in the background when a system is selected so as to have a head start.

This would also allow for better feedback to the user as to whether a route can or cannot be plotted with a given jump range. I incorrectly gathered that because the "plot course" button was red, that a course was impossible with my ship's jump range.

 

[Tettric]

I'm guessing the rout plotting code as been heavily optimised for the 1.1 patch as they are going to extend route plotting to 1000ly.

 

[Pest]

With that geometry, perhaps route planning could be done "on demand" when the user asks to plot a route to a system without too long a wait. Route planning could even begin in the background when a system is selected so as to have a head start.

This would also allow for better feedback to the user as to whether a route can or cannot be plotted with a given jump range. I incorrectly gathered that because the "plot course" button was red, that a course was impossible with my ship's jump range.

... like finding a good trade route... or one best for bounty hunters ;-)

I'm guessing the rout plotting code as been heavily optimised for the 1.1 patch as they are going to extend route plotting to 1000ly.

I hope so.

 

[MARPATdroid]

Yeah routing definitely needs to be rethought, I liked the cone approach, but the cylinder would be awesome as well!!! Anything but the every jump from the central point radiating outward.