Difference between revisions of "Intra-Vehicular Activity"

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m (*style of images; !altimeter is the device to measure the altitude and has nothing to do if AGL/A(M)SL;)
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During an '''Intra-Vehicular Activity''' (abbr. '''IVA''') the player takes control of a [[Kerbal]] within a craft's [[Command Pod|command module]]. The controls are the same as in third-person view. One can enter/leave IVA by either selecting "IVA" when mousing over a crew member, or pressing C to toggle.
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During an '''Intra-Vehicular Activity''' (abbr. '''IVA''') the player takes control of a [[Kerbal]] within a craft's [[command pod]].  
  
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The primary advantage of IVA is the radar altimeter within certain command modules. Rather than altitude above sea level, it shows the craft's altitude above ground level (abbr. AGL), taking mountains and valleys into account. This information can be especially helpful during landings on uneven terrain.
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To start an IVA, go to the exterior (default) view of a manned spacecraft, then mouse over the images in the lower right corner and press the IVA button, or press C to toggle between exterior view and IVA.
  
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However, even though Intra-Vehicular Activity is implemented, the player can only look around and read the instruments, but cannot interact with the interior or move a Kerbal. This has been planned to be improved in a future version.
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However, Intra-Vehicular Activities are only partially implemented, meaning that there are few possibilities to actually interact with the interior. So far it is possible to:
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*look around and read the instruments ''(right and middle mouse button)'',
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*look through the windows ''(double-click on window)'',
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*control throttle level by moving the throttle lever up and down ''(click and drag it with the mouse cursor)'',
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*switch the reference of the speed indicator ''(click on green button next to indicator)'',
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*control the craft using the key bindings of the exterior third-person view.
  
 
== Cockpit ==
 
== Cockpit ==
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[[File:Monitor.png|thumb|Monitor with only staging enabled]]
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[[File:Height.png|thumb|The example above shows an altitude of 2000 meters.]]
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When going into the IVA mode, most of the HUD will disappear and the control panel inside the cockpit will be visible instead. Most of the instruments on this new control panel are easy to understand. While the instruments are having the same appearance in all available IVAs, the layout differs.
 
When going into the IVA mode, most of the HUD will disappear and the control panel inside the cockpit will be visible instead. Most of the instruments on this new control panel are easy to understand. While the instruments are having the same appearance in all available IVAs, the layout differs.
  
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[[File:IVA.png|100%|center|frame|View from inside the [[Mk1 Cockpit]]]]
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*'''Roll, Pitch and Yaw''': The [[roll]], [[pitch]] and [[yaw]] indicators look similar to and work just like the ones in the normal game HUD.
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=== Roll, Pitch and Yaw ===
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*'''Monitor''': The monitor shows things that can be difficult or impossible to see from inside the vehicle, such as the state of [[SAS]] or [[RCS]], or the ability to separate a [[stage]]. Green lights indicate the corresponding system is currently activated.
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The [[Roll]], [[Pitch]] and [[Yaw]] indicators look similar to the ones in the normal game HUD.
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*'''Speed''': This indicator displays the speed in meters per second (m/s), and can be switched between orbital speed, speed relative to the surface or relative to the target.
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*'''Navball''': The [[navball]] works exactly as the normal navball.  However, IVA mode features a better crosshair and zoomable view, allowing greater precision than the third-person interface.
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*'''Atmosphere''': This gauge displays the atmospheric density. It is identical to the corresponding display in the third person interface.
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*'''Height''': The Altitude (or Height Monitor) shows the craft's current height above sea level. This information is displayed in analog form familiar to airplane pilots. However, unlike airplane altimeters which work on air pressure, this one works even the cold dark hard vacuum of space. How does it do this? The magic of electronics! However, the readings are wrong in the game, compared to a real-life altimeter in standard aircraft. In KSP, the readings are:
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    *The Long Hand with the inverted triangle at the end reads 100m.
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    *The Long Hand reads 1,000m.
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    *And the Short Hand reads 10,000m.
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In aircraft on Earth, the altimeter readings are:
 +
    *Long Hand reads 100m.
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    *Short Hand reads 1,000m.
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    *And the Inverted Triangle hand reads 10,000m.
  
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=== Monitor ===
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*'''Radar Altimeter''': While normal altitude indicators display altitude above (mean) sea level (abbr. ASL or AMSL), the radar altimeter displays the craft's height above the ground.
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[[File:Monitor.png|thumb|Monitor with only staging enabled]]
 
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The monitor shows things that can be difficult or impossible to see from inside the vehicle, such as the state of [[SAS]] or [[RCS]], or the ability to separate a [[stage]]. They are indicated using green lights.
 
  
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=== Speed ===
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*'''Vertical speed''': The vertical speed is shown in meters per second (m/s) on a gauge similar to the one on the HUD.
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The speed is shown in meters per second (m/s).
 
  
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=== Nav ball ===
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*'''Angle''': This gauge displays the craft's heading.
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The [[navball]] looks and works exactly as the normal navball. However, in IVA mode you can zoom in on the navball, allowing precision alignment difficult to accomplish with the third person interface.
 
  
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=== Radar Altimeter ===
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[[File:IVA.png|center|thumb|450px|View from inside the [[Mk1 Cockpit]]]]. Note this picture is outdated.
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While normal altitude indicators display altitude above (mean) sea level (abbr. ASL or AMSL), the radar altimeter displays the craft's height above the ground. This information is not displayed on the third person interface, which means that IVA landings have a unique advantage. The advantage is offset by the fact that the third person view can swivel freely, affording a more comprehensive view of the surface than the IVA perspective.
 
  
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=== Atmosphere ===
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== Limitations ==
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This gauge displays the atmospheric density. It is identical to the corresponding display in the third person interface.
 
  
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=== Altitude ===
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Unfortunately, there are a variety of limitations while in IVA, which make regular use of the mode inadvisable:
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[[File:Height.png|thumb|The example above shows an altitude 2000 meters.]]
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* Inability to interact with anything other than the aforementioned instruments (not even the Kerbals themselves)
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The Altitude (or Height Monitor) shows the craft's current height above sea level. This information is displayed in analog form familiar to airplane pilots. However, unlike airplane altimeters which work on air pressure, this one works even the cold dark hard vacuum of space. How does it do this? The magic of electronics!
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* Inability to physically see most parts of the rocket, making avoiding and recovering from accidents far harder
 +
* Inability to switch to a specific SAS target, I.E. prograde/retrograde (although if you select an SAS direction before entering IVA, it will stay on target unless SAS is turned off)
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* Certain [[Command module|command modules]] without front-facing windows (such as the Mk1 or Mk1-3 Command Pods) obstruct visibility even further, making navigation nigh-impossible
  
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=== Vertical speed ===
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[[Category:Game interface]]
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The vertical speed is shown in meters per second (m/s) on a gauge similar to the one on the HUD.
 

Latest revision as of 03:57, 8 September 2024

During an Intra-Vehicular Activity (abbr. IVA) the player takes control of a Kerbal within a craft's command pod.

To start an IVA, go to the exterior (default) view of a manned spacecraft, then mouse over the images in the lower right corner and press the IVA button, or press C to toggle between exterior view and IVA.

However, Intra-Vehicular Activities are only partially implemented, meaning that there are few possibilities to actually interact with the interior. So far it is possible to:

  • look around and read the instruments (right and middle mouse button),
  • look through the windows (double-click on window),
  • control throttle level by moving the throttle lever up and down (click and drag it with the mouse cursor),
  • switch the reference of the speed indicator (click on green button next to indicator),
  • control the craft using the key bindings of the exterior third-person view.

Cockpit

Monitor with only staging enabled
The example above shows an altitude of 2000 meters.

When going into the IVA mode, most of the HUD will disappear and the control panel inside the cockpit will be visible instead. Most of the instruments on this new control panel are easy to understand. While the instruments are having the same appearance in all available IVAs, the layout differs.

  • Roll, Pitch and Yaw: The roll, pitch and yaw indicators look similar to and work just like the ones in the normal game HUD.
  • Monitor: The monitor shows things that can be difficult or impossible to see from inside the vehicle, such as the state of SAS or RCS, or the ability to separate a stage. Green lights indicate the corresponding system is currently activated.
  • Speed: This indicator displays the speed in meters per second (m/s), and can be switched between orbital speed, speed relative to the surface or relative to the target.
  • Navball: The navball works exactly as the normal navball. However, IVA mode features a better crosshair and zoomable view, allowing greater precision than the third-person interface.
  • Atmosphere: This gauge displays the atmospheric density. It is identical to the corresponding display in the third person interface.
  • Height: The Altitude (or Height Monitor) shows the craft's current height above sea level. This information is displayed in analog form familiar to airplane pilots. However, unlike airplane altimeters which work on air pressure, this one works even the cold dark hard vacuum of space. How does it do this? The magic of electronics! However, the readings are wrong in the game, compared to a real-life altimeter in standard aircraft. In KSP, the readings are:
    *The Long Hand with the inverted triangle at the end reads 100m.
    *The Long Hand reads 1,000m.
    *And the Short Hand reads 10,000m.

In aircraft on Earth, the altimeter readings are: 

    *Long Hand reads 100m.
    *Short Hand reads 1,000m.
    *And the Inverted Triangle hand reads 10,000m.
  • Radar Altimeter: While normal altitude indicators display altitude above (mean) sea level (abbr. ASL or AMSL), the radar altimeter displays the craft's height above the ground.
  • Vertical speed: The vertical speed is shown in meters per second (m/s) on a gauge similar to the one on the HUD.
  • Angle: This gauge displays the craft's heading.
View from inside the Mk1 Cockpit
. Note this picture is outdated.

Limitations

Unfortunately, there are a variety of limitations while in IVA, which make regular use of the mode inadvisable:

  • Inability to interact with anything other than the aforementioned instruments (not even the Kerbals themselves)
  • Inability to physically see most parts of the rocket, making avoiding and recovering from accidents far harder
  • Inability to switch to a specific SAS target, I.E. prograde/retrograde (although if you select an SAS direction before entering IVA, it will stay on target unless SAS is turned off)
  • Certain command modules without front-facing windows (such as the Mk1 or Mk1-3 Command Pods) obstruct visibility even further, making navigation nigh-impossible
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