Plug-Grabber

[Generic Default]

Ok, like always I am working on helicopter stuff. This time I am making attachments that can go on helicopters but separately from the prop. I have a good missile pod but you have to weld and angle it to the helicopter every time you paste it.

So, I tried using the Plug and Socket as a solution. When you weld a socket to a missile pod
and hook the socket to a plug it will snap into place, making a good way to attach stuff to things without ever having to weld and position. The only problem is that it is VERY wobbly since the plug is small but the missile pod is big. Could somebody add an option to the plug and socket so it can not only weld itself together, but also weld constrained props together? Kind of like the grabber weld link if you know what I'm talking about.

This would make it possible to have easy attachments, because the weapon/object can be wired to the plug's outputs. By plugging something into a socket, it is instantly wired, welded, and angled to the contraption. It just needs more stability.

Look at the pictures below and see what I mean. All you have to do is position the attachment and it will snap into place and wire up. With this missile pod, as soon as you move the socket on to the plug it angles,welds, and is read to fire. Before you add it it's just some props. After it's locked in it becomes a weapon system.

[Selig]

Originally Posted by Generic Default

Ok, like always I am working on helicopter stuff. This time I am making attachments that can go on helicopters but separately from the prop. I have a good missile pod but you have to weld and angle it to the helicopter every time you paste it.

So, I tried using the Plug and Socket as a solution. When you weld a socket to a missile pod
and hook the socket to a plug it will snap into place, making a good way to attach stuff to things without ever having to weld and position. The only problem is that it is VERY wobbly since the plug is small but the missile pod is big. Could somebody add an option to the plug and socket so it can not only weld itself together, but also weld constrained props together? Kind of like the grabber weld link if you know what I'm talking about.

This would make it possible to have easy attachments, because the weapon/object can be wired to the plug's outputs. By plugging something into a socket, it is instantly wired, welded, and angled to the contraption. It just needs more stability.

Look at the pictures below and see what I mean. All you have to do is position the attachment and it will snap into place and wire up. With this missile pod, as soon as you move the socket on to the plug it angles,welds, and is read to fire.

indtead what you could do is make ythe helicopter use grabbers to hold on also, but i think this is kinda out of the range of the plug. and what is the plug is welded to two things instead of one?that would get complex

[Lutin]

Oooh, interesting idea. But it wouldn't really be useful except for what you're doing. Sockets and plugs are meant for data transfer, not a means of physical connection.

[Generic Default]

Originally Posted by Selig

indtead what you could do is make ythe helicopter use grabbers to hold on also, but i think this is kinda out of the range of the plug. and what is the plug is welded to two things instead of one?that would get complex

I don't think you understand. Grabbers don't position themselves, angle themselves, and connect wires. I'd rather just manually weld it every time than use grabbers.

Also check some of you spelling and grammar.

And Lutin, do you mean that you would work on it?

[Lutin]

Originally Posted by Generic Default

I don't think you understand. Grabbers don't position themselves, angle themselves, and connect wires. I'd rather just manually weld it every time than use grabbers.

Also check some of you spelling and grammar.

And Lutin, do you mean that you would work on it?

It can be done, but what you could always do, just for simplicity's sake is just have a value that tells you if the plug is connected or not, and have two grabbers or so pointing at where the plug goes. No reason to rewrite code when it can be done without it.

[kuro11]

I don't think there is any way to have a prop snap to a angle without using a facer. Sure you can align them before, then use a hover-drive to teleport. But I agree with his suggestion, having a gun that you can mount/dismount would be cool.

[SaveFerris]

Originally Posted by Generic Default

I don't think you understand. Grabbers don't position themselves, angle themselves, and connect wires. I'd rather just manually weld it every time than use grabbers.

What if you had four grabbers in a square? Then your missiles wouldn't move around much I don't think.

[Generic Default]

OK I know I could just use grabbers to stabilize the missile pod once the plugs connect BUT they will clamp as soon as the connection is made, and the plug is too wobbly to hold it in a straight line. I've tried using weight for stability but it's still too wobbly. Grabbers are not an option.

[SaveFerris]

Why are grabbers not an option?

[rvdm88]

grabbers are twitchy spazzy and they don't let your contaption collide/touch the object, that's load of stabilisation too!
the plug would make stuff very modular, like you could hang weapon's under a chopper or a graplinghook or a cargobay ect. it would also be nice to make something like a docking station for certain devices (spacebuild?)

some additions that could be usefull are:

* a seperate vallue of it being connected (is connected? 0/1)
* multiple data values going in and out (if it's not there yet)
* repositioning, may be a bit advanced but it would be cool to be able to rotate (slow and controlled servo like and fast like wheels)the pods along it's connected axis.
* onboard indicator or sound showing it being connected (so you wont have 2 gues when you are plugging in the plug with your physgun)
* color label's so that you can signify wich plugs are compatible with witch.
* possibility to let the socket not just weld the 2 sockets together but weld the prop's they are welded to together!
* input for disconnection (and forcing away) so that you can disconnect your weapon's pod from your heli while you are still in your seat (or automatic) as it's used up or just let a wired missle of the chain!