SLF macro ?

[gizmo6023]

I have spent way too much time attempting to set up a macro to launch my fighter only to have it fail to function reliably. It seems that the roll panel now has some strange added key strokes that ruin macros. I have managed to create several that work one time but ignore some of the key strokes that should reset the panel to the original start position. Run the macro 3 times in a row and get a different result each time, kind of like roulette.

Has any one had any luck creating a reliable macro for fighter launch since the UI changes?

 

[metatheurgist]

Isn't there a keybind for that?

 

[Q GT70]

yes, keybinds exist for this.

due to net lag and some game lag, delay loops will help.
if you are using autohotkey there are commands that tell each keystroke how long to stay pressed, also important.
setkeydelay, 50, 50
send, 4wwwwww w sssssss4


built in delay function - ex : sleep 100 , also helps

without delays of the right amount, your macro will run too fast, slower is better, its still going to be faster than you can type

 

[CMDR X]

Keybind for SLF, Docking and Supercruise have been requested 400 billion times. All in vain.
Getting tired of having to dork around with 3rd party EVERYTHING for this half baked game.

 

[Riverside]

I've been doing (space) CZs for the past few days with an NPC SLF in the Beyond client, each time I enter a new CZ I am able to perform the same key presses (in my case f3 (crotch panel), S D space (to select SLF menu), S D space (to select the second SLF), D space to select the NPC pilot while I fly the mothership).

If the SLF is destroyed I can press f3 (Crotch panel), it's already on the SLF panel, W space launches the first SLF as the second is unavailable.

Automating this seems like it would be easier than in Horizons (unlike actions involving the left nav panel's strangeness).

As others have mentioned there are key binds available for commands although I don't use them and docking the SLF is now the default anyway, usually the only command I issue to my NPC.

 

[Wullail]

Voice attack and a HCS voice pack + 'Launch fighter' , 'Launch fighter 2' spoken and it all works fine.

 

[Pigletslastand]

I believe it may have something to do with the fact that with macros people could spam fighter commands and it severly lagged out a fight for the other person. There are still keybinds that can be deployed for things like attack, defend, hold station etc. Perhaps this is why it's not implemented. Fighter lag has been horrendous in PvP from day one needs careful consideration.

 

[Q GT70]

all this aside,
fdev did make it soo we have a delay intentional. between slf commands, because it was being abused.
It messes up instance and causes huge delay's, slows the game so that another player has a real hard time giving game commands.

If all you are trying to do is make it faster, in this case it really won't. you can use the binds, mine are all set to ctrl+ numpad 0 to 6., more than fast enough

Give a wrong command, and you do have a tiny wait before next cmd will even go.

 

[gizmo6023]

Voice attack and a HCS voice pack + 'Launch fighter' , 'Launch fighter 2' spoken and it all works fine.

I am using a HCS voice pack in VA but the ten seconds of looking at the roll panel while some pirate hammers my ship just doesnt cut it. Was attempting to create a functional macro to speed up getting orders to the fighter.

 

[gizmo6023]

Isn't there a keybind for that?

There are key binds for most orders but none to launch the fighter.

 

[Erei]

Macro are very unreliable for that kind of stuff.
Why we don't have a key for fighter launch, when we have one for "recall" is mind blowing. especially since it could be the same key.

Also, one for "activate supercruise assist" and one for "ask to dock".

The fact we are talking of 3rd party program macro for that is clearly indicating of an issue.

 

[fennster]

Macro are very unreliable for that kind of stuff.
Why we don't have a key for fighter launch, when we have one for "recall" is mind blowing. especially since it could be the same key.

Also, one for "activate supercruise" and one for "ask to dock".

The fact we are talking of 3rd party program macro for that is clearly indicating of an issue.

What do you mean by 'activate supercruise'?

 

[Erei]

What do you mean by 'activate supercruise'?

I meant "supercruise assist", my bad

 

[Vingtetun]

I am using a HCS voice pack in VA but the ten seconds of looking at the roll panel while some pirate hammers my ship just doesnt cut it. Was attempting to create a functional macro to speed up getting orders to the fighter.

Well, it takes time as it is complex.

You asked same question on the HCS Discord and we said we'd look at speeding it up for next release

We slowed it down for Odyssey as people with potato pc's were finding it too fast and it was doing crazy stuff like launching YOU in the fighter instead of your crew person.

The speed is due to the panel tracking, putting the input point at the right point regardless of whether you've used the command before, left it on one of the other panels etc. It also uses some cunning reading of the journal files to ensure it is doing the right thing as it goes.

It goes to a default known location and then forward from there but we can shave a few secs off in future.

Keep your eyes peeled on the update patch notes for the HCS packs.

 

[Q GT70]

one of the first macros I made for this game was ask permission to dock.
it had issues because there are actually some stations that show the station NOT at the top..ask permission to dock on sidewinder...
but it did save time till it became natural for my fingers to touch the keys without giving any effort or thought.
key things like knowing which tab is default and make sure the macro always returns it to where it was, helps it work nicely.
I will add that having made many macros for things like turn off all shield boosters and on again
turning on and off SCB's
adding timer and ding sound for scb = ready to use.
refilling ammo by synth
turning afm on and repair canopy.
and much more.
using them for a while was nice, eventually getting to the point where all these actions can be done fast and nearly without looking without the macros.
the only one I use anymore is the one for PP filling the cargo.
and my pips, 6 configurations using 2 buttons, adding sound effects so I always can tell which one I am on.

Considering all flight sticks use macros, it means the EULA is being ignored and no-one cares, so why not.
I played for over a year with no macros because I didn't want to get caught cheating and get turfed.
I bought my x52 during this time, when I got it was when I realized lots of people were already using macros and fdev did not seem to have any issue with that.

In the case of PP, it would be better for all if the option was on the screen, keep the qty at 25 or whatever, but an option to pay now for 720t or what you want, then at the press of a button, exchange of millions for instant cargo hold full.
I would feel bad, except it feels worse to waste that much time every week on a very poor mechanic.
timing is everything though in a macro..get it wrong and your ship can easily get launched instead of filled up. and if you are in the kitchen ....boom
using log feedback will add time to it. so I don't use the log at all for macros, only for my other prg that tracks everything in the game.

EDO just means more experimenting and testing thanks to various things not in Horizons.
The info there about HCS is in my opinion no fault of programming, edo is too new , as such has gone around the clock with various delays, too many to name
to be fair, a work in progress is just that and 100% appropriate considering EDO's flaws.

the SLF as mentioned is already easy and fast to launch, a bind for the launch would be faster like return to ship.
using it is another thing, I usually leave my slf behind anyway. I don't have time to wait and I have more..

I was under the impression from many of my friends that HCS is nice because of all its voices, macros to do things..seems ok to me, just not for me, I want TV or music or discord on and I have all my game noise OFF except for the basic ship sounds.
some cmdrs though, would do well to learn the ship and commands before using it.
I have a couple friends that got it on day one of getting ED.
and they think it can completely control the ship and depend on it to keep them aware and alive....
because they have no idea how to do this themselves. not healthy but...

 

[Vingtetun]

The HCS packs simply give you a "new controller" - your voice. It's no faster than pushing the buttons yourself, but gives you some cool voice responses alongside things!

We deliberately don't macro up combos and things that give "competitive" advantage - but do add things like "left panel" to look left, "engage supercruise" to mash that button for you, "next target" for the same - there are so many keybinds in Elite, that it just gives you a voice input alongisde your stick/mouse/keyboard/xbox controller.

Just about the only combos are things like "repair & refuel when docking" settings as I recall, quality of life stuff.

For the most part, due to years of playing the game, muscle memory is a thing and doing it via the stick is always easier as it's well set up, but every now and again, just asking the crew to "engage supercruise" is nice. That, and their automated responses when things happen (even the snarky comments from Eli when I die....), or deploying from a dropship with Vasco as my suit voice and having Brian Blessed bellow encouraging things in my ear.

You're right - the voices are very cool ;-)

 

[here_it_comes]

Would be nice if we had a bind for launch NPC in first available fighter. Macros are always gonna be a bit wonky or slow for this because of needing to reset menus.

 

[Q GT70]

the 50 in setkeydelay is 50 ms.

my macros call other macros to do some of the things I mentioned.
If you think 50 ms is slow, you really should try one. and even putting large wait 1000, etc are fast.
the one for repairing canopy runs fast enough that even while shooting, you see the side panel for less than 1 second.
the only thing in my macros that takes longer than that is the timers for letting me know when things like scb or afm are ready.
I can turn all shield boosters on a cutter off so it recharges faster, in less than a second.
moving the panels tabs is so fast it is barely noticeable that it happened.

menu doesn't have to be reset. all you have to do then is put the tabs where you want when you enter the ship.
but the nav panel resets itself every time you enter a new system. and it only has request permission to dock anyway, so , too easy.
lots of people are using powerful macros.
my pips macro calls 6 different soundplay macros and they are small and fast as well, but while the play a sound is run, the rest of the macro finishes what it was doing.

if your system is displaying and changing things on modules tab etc so slowly that this is a problem, you have a different problem.

 

[Paul - HCS VoicePacks - COVAS]

Well, it takes time as it is complex.

You asked same question on the HCS Discord and we said we'd look at speeding it up for next release

We slowed it down for Odyssey as people with potato pc's were finding it too fast and it was doing crazy stuff like launching YOU in the fighter instead of your crew person.

The speed is due to the panel tracking, putting the input point at the right point regardless of whether you've used the command before, left it on one of the other panels etc. It also uses some cunning reading of the journal files to ensure it is doing the right thing as it goes.

It goes to a default known location and then forward from there but we can shave a few secs off in future.

Keep your eyes peeled on the update patch notes for the HCS packs.

 

[Paul - HCS VoicePacks - COVAS]

Will make sure there's an option to increase the speed somewhat for this - Also, We will try and make a protocol command to sneak into stations with illegal cargo. I'm personally looking forward to making that command and getting a video demo up on YouTube very soon