Setting Parent Body for a SpaceLocation

[y.petremann]

For now we have :
distance :: double : Distance from the location's parent body in map coordinates.
orientation :: RealOrientation : Angle in relation to the parent body.

It would be interesting to add
parent :: string : Name of the parent SpaceLocation, optionnal, if not set it would work like in current version

What will it affect :
- Position of the SpaceLocation is now related to the indicated parent SpaceLocation using distance and orientation
- SpaceLocation Orbit is drawn around the parent SpaceLocation
- SpaceConnection arc is drawn around the nearest common ancestor, unless the only common ancestor is universe origin or one of the connected space location in this case it will go in straight line

What it will permit :
- adding another star system with his own set of planets with orbits correctly displaying around their suns
- adding moons to planets with orbits around planets instead of sun
- Ease creation of new SpaceLocation around others
- Rearanging the map by changing distance and orientation of one SpaceLocation would move their child body with them

What other modification is needed in the base game :
The Sun need to be a defined Space Location even if no path SpaceConnection goes to it.
It will "orbit" around the universe origin. it can even have distance=0 to be at the center of the universe
Planets need to have parent="sun"

Similar requests :
- Allow to set a space location's parent
- Orbit Line Movement
- Space Connection Curving

Other works :
- PlanetsLib
The community has been using Planetslib to implement this proposal. They need to fake the orbits by registering a sprite for it, this result in a lot of sprites only for orbits, the rest of the PlanetsLib api has the intent to implements this sugestion.

Example of actual mods that would directly benefit :
- real-starry-universe
- space-exploration
- factorissimo-2-notnotmelon
- intercontinental-rocketry

[plexpt]

+1

[micromario]

This is neat. Currently us modders basically need to keep a spreadsheet of all planets to avoid collisions with other mods in the starmap. This would be a welcome feature.

[y.petremann]

This is neat. Currently us modders basically need to keep a spreadsheet of all planets to avoid collisions with other mods in the starmap. This would be a welcome feature.

This would not prevent them to colide, but it would be less likely

Something interesting is that someone could make a final-fixes mod to check if some planets collides and simulate them orbiting a bit (changing orientation) to make them not colliding, with current implementation this is impossible because moons would not be around their planets, but with the proposal, it would be possible.

[redplasticstraw]

+1

adding moons to planets and have the orbit draw properly would be really cool

[plexpt]

I find the proposal quite intriguing. It has the potential to significantly enhance the game's space simulation experience.

Enhanced Space Simulation: Introducing the parent attribute would allow us to simulate a more accurate representation of the universe, including star systems, planets, and moons. This would add depth to the game's exploration and construction aspects.

Mod Compatibility: This change would directly benefit several existing mods, such as real-starry-universe and space-exploration, enabling them to provide a more realistic space environment.

Expansion of Gameplay: Not only would this addition increase the depth of the game, but it would also offer players more opportunities for creativity and exploration, such as rearranging the map by altering the distance and orientation of a SpaceLocation.

I support this proposal and am excited to see how it could be implemented in the game. I'm also curious about the developers' thoughts and plans regarding this change.

[plexpt]

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=120727

[DeadMG]

I'd also like more control of the starmap, particularly it would be nice if it could be modified dynamically. I'm thinking of making a mod where certain events may re-arrange the starmap or block some locations

[y.petremann]

After lots of time, I reiterate this proposal with some consideration:

The community has been using Planetslib to implement this proposal. They need to fake the orbits by registering a sprite for it, this result in a lot of sprites only for orbits.

Also as for now space connection are handler in a strange way by mods, and placing planets at sweet spots is needed to have perfect space connection
I propose that space connection use some special logic:
- if a space connexion connect a space location and his parent, then it goes in straight line between the two
- if the space connexion connect two space location with common ancestor, then it goes in an arc around the deepest common ancestor
- two planets around a star
- two moons around a planet
- a moon and another planet around a star
- if the only common ancestor is the universe origin, then it goes in straight line between the two space location
- space gates connecting two stars
- two planets on two stars