Which way round is the station now?

[scorpyon]

I am aware that the stations almost always "face" the planet that they may be orbiting, which is great.
However, sometimes when you're trying to make an approach, the planet is out of view (or if it isn't orbiting a planet, you have no frame of reference).
I don't tend to use mouse look much as it means taking my hands of the flightstick.

It would be really useful if the little holographic image of the station would b e so kind as to show me it's "positioning" in relation to my position (or direction maybe?).
It's only a little thing, but as we all know, it's the little things that make a game!

 

[Cynaqq]

I don't think there is such thing as a station not orbiting a planet. There are those which are pretty far away bu they still roughly face the planet they orbit. I don't know if some stations are orbiting stars (they may, I don't really know) but then, they would face the star.

 

[Codger]

I just turn on the orbit lines and get inside the orbit, doesn't really matter about the planet. If I'm inside the orbit when I disengage, the front of the station is always visible when I drop out.

 

[MickyG1982]

The "correct" side always rotates counter clockwise.

Also, there's little arrows on the display for the "egg" station that points towards the front of the station.

The larger stations, well they are kind've obvious.

 

[Conch]

I don't think there is such thing as a station not orbiting a planet. There are those which are pretty far away bu they still roughly face the planet they orbit. I don't know if some stations are orbiting stars (they may, I don't really know) but then, they would face the star.

you are wrong. Plenty of stations that dont orbit something.

 

[Bomba Luigi]

I don't think there is such thing as a station not orbiting a planet. There are those which are pretty far away bu they still roughly face the planet they orbit. I don't know if some stations are orbiting stars (they may, I don't really know) but then, they would face the star.

Oh there are stations not orbiting a planet, have seen many of those.

 

[geoffrey.hdt]

I still don't understand why we don't see the orientation of a station in the target hologram...

 

[JoshuaWillingham]

I still don't understand why we don't see the orientation of a station in the target hologram...

But you do, everytime you pull out manualy target the station contact. Hologram even has arrows that point at entrance.

 

[Mysturji]

I am aware that the stations almost always "face" the planet that they may be orbiting, which is great.
However, sometimes when you're trying to make an approach, the planet is out of view (or if it isn't orbiting a planet, you have no frame of reference).
I don't tend to use mouse look much as it means taking my hands of the flightstick.

It would be really useful if the little holographic image of the station would b e so kind as to show me it's "positioning" in relation to my position (or direction maybe?).
It's only a little thing, but as we all know, it's the little things that make a game!

When you target the station (or request docking permission) the HUD station graphic for Coriolis stations has a little arrowhead (same shape as the cursor in the galaxy & system maps) on the sides pointing to the entrance, and it's aligned the same way as the station as seen from your cockpit.

If you need a pointer to the entrance of an Orbis station, I'm afraid I can't help you

 

[fennster]

But you do, everytime you pull out manualy target the station contact. Hologram even has arrows that point at entrance.

Not in supercruise you don't, I think that's being said here.

 

[Ren Garris]

But you do, everytime you pull out manualy target the station contact. Hologram even has arrows that point at entrance.

This.
But I still have issues finding those little arrows.

I just look at the rotation and find a planet (if there is one).

When I first started playing I used to fly around those things forever until I found the mail slot.
Ah, the good ol days....

 

[Sashenka]

I still don't understand why we don't see the orientation of a station in the target hologram...

I remember telling myself while in SC: 'Neat, I'll drop with the mail slot right in front of me.' I was wrong

 

[Luniticisi]

I still don't understand why we don't see the orientation of a station in the target hologram...

I have always wanted the station Hologram (once you have it targeted) to show orientation whilst in supercruise .. that would be nice... you do get it approaching the station .. and there are handy arrows/chevrons pointing to the entrance once you target the station.

But yeah, show us the same Hologram in supercruise ... I'd like that.

 

[Cynaqq]

you are wrong. Plenty of stations that dont orbit something.

Oh there are stations not orbiting a planet, have seen many of those.

Maybe not a planet but then they have to orbit the star itself. What happens when you have the orbit lines open when facing one of those station? Do they not appear around the star?

BTW, I really want to see one of those just because I'm curious. Can either of you name one?

 

[[VR] Enexemander]

It was an issue when I first started playing, but then I realized:

1) The entrance has a counter-clockwise rotation
2) There are red lights on the back end of the station
3) There are arrows in the hud when target and request docking (but those don't really help me)
4) The entrance and back are at the poles of the rotation
5) They are usually orbiting a planet or something and the entrance is facing it
6) If you turn on orbit lines you can get almost always give yourself a straight shot at the entrance by getting in front of the station (between it and the object it orbits)

That's a lot of different ways to figure it out.
Aside from like... drawing you a lead line from the tip of your ship to the entrance I'm not sure what else they could do that would be helpful.

The smaller docks on the other hand... I have to fly around them a bit to figure out where they stuck the current dock on those bad boys. There's probably plenty of tricks to that as well. I just haven't bothered figuring it out yet.

 

[Kayweg]

Maybe not a planet but then they have to orbit the star itself. What happens when you have the orbit lines open when facing one of those station? Do they not appear around the star?

BTW, I really want to see one of those just because I'm curious. Can either of you name one?

I'd like to know that too.
In my experience they're always in orbit around something.
Not trying to be daft here, but have some of you guys, saying they don't, have their orbital lines/rings turned off ?
Please DO post examples if you have them available.

 

[Andovar]

I'd like to know that too.
In my experience they're always in orbit around something.
Not trying to be daft here, but have some of you guys, saying they don't, have their orbital lines/rings turned off ?
Please DO post examples if you have them available.

They could also orbit a barycenter. So yes, they have to orbit something, but it doesn't have to be something visible.
I've only seen a few, but can't name one off the top of my head.


Edit: Here's something else that could explain them:

The game has always had some stations orbiting comets.

Michael

The comets only exist as mass at the moment - there are no visuals.

Michael

 

[TargetByProxy]

There are quite a few, I've just been to one but I can't remember which system it was in. I seem to remember there are a few around the Tamar area.

 

[jgm]

I wish that station entrances would directly face whatever they're orbiting. Not only would it make docking easier but it would provide some great views as you exit.

 

[afroio]

You can just do what I do, which is really quite lazy, and the traffic controllers even make fun of me for it occasionally, and just use a docking computer. It's been kind of wonky since 2.1, so keep an eye in it and be prepared to take control if it tries to kill you.

Originally Posted by Battleship Kickass
Not because we need it, but because docking your own ship is for peasants.