Difference between revisions of "Action group"

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(add info on binding Action Groups)
 
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[[File:action_group_entry.png|thumb|right|200px|Click on the Hammer & Spanner icon to access Action Groups.]]
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[[File:action_group_entry_flight.png|thumb|right|200px|The Hammer & Spanner Icon as part of the in-flight toolbar]]
 
[[File:Action groups abort.png|thumb|right|300px|Configuring an abort sequence using action groups]]
 
[[File:Action groups abort.png|thumb|right|300px|Configuring an abort sequence using action groups]]
An [[action group]] is a group of part actions that can be triggered using certain buttons or keys. They can be configured under the ''Action Groups'' tab in the [[VAB]] or [[SPH]].
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An '''action group''' is a group of part actions that can be triggered using certain buttons or keys. They can be configured under the ''Action Groups'' tab in the [[VAB]] or [[SPH]]. Since version 1.8, they can also be created and edited while in-flight.
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== Enabling action groups ==
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In a default career mode, the action groups button is not initially visible.  The [[VAB]] or [[SPH]] buildings must be upgraded to enable them.  At level two, basic action groups are available allowing the stage, gear, light, RCS, SAS, abort, and brakes groups to be customized. At level three, custom action groups are available.
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The player can start with action groups enabled in career mode with a custom difficulty setting. All action groups are always available in science and sandbox modes.
  
 
== Available action groups ==
 
== Available action groups ==
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| SAS || [[SAS]] Toggle || T || Toggle all SAS modules on/off
 
| SAS || [[SAS]] Toggle || T || Toggle all SAS modules on/off
 
|-
 
|-
| Brakes || Brakes || B || Hold to activate all brakes
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| Brakes || Brakes || B<ref group="note" name="function">Brake is the only hotkey that automatically toggles off when the key is released.  However, if the game is saved while holding down the Brake key, and the save is then loaded, the brakes will remain on, and the Brake key will need to be pressed again to release them.</ref> || Hold to activate all brakes
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Abort || Emergency abort || Backspace || -
 
| Abort || Emergency abort || Backspace || -
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== Uses ==
 
== Uses ==
 
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[[File:Escape tower.png|thumb|The tower lifts up the [[command pod]] with the ''Abort'' action group]]
 
An action group can cause any action that can also be triggered by right-clicking a part and making a selection from its popup menu. This makes action groups useful for coordinating the functions of multiple parts all over a spacecraft, or for making the same change to several identical parts. Action groups trigger all their parts simultaneously, allowing quick changes in situations where using the popup menus would be impractical or dangerous, such as surface landings or while the engines are throttled up during a maneuver.
 
An action group can cause any action that can also be triggered by right-clicking a part and making a selection from its popup menu. This makes action groups useful for coordinating the functions of multiple parts all over a spacecraft, or for making the same change to several identical parts. Action groups trigger all their parts simultaneously, allowing quick changes in situations where using the popup menus would be impractical or dangerous, such as surface landings or while the engines are throttled up during a maneuver.
  
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* An abort or [[command module]] ejection sequence.
 
* An abort or [[command module]] ejection sequence.
 
* Extending [[ladder]]s along with landing gear.
 
* Extending [[ladder]]s along with landing gear.
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* Switching from [[jet engine]]s to rockets on an [[Single-stage-to-orbit|SSTO]] to avoid asymmetric flameouts.
 
* Switching active [[engine]] groups on complicated [[craft]] such as VTOL planes.
 
* Switching active [[engine]] groups on complicated [[craft]] such as VTOL planes.
 
* Toggling the [[gimbal]] lock of all engines.
 
* Toggling the [[gimbal]] lock of all engines.
 
* Deploying [[solar panel]]s.
 
* Deploying [[solar panel]]s.
 
* Activating multiple [[environmental sensor]]s.
 
* Activating multiple [[environmental sensor]]s.
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* Deploying [[parachute]]s.
  
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To create a sequence for an action group, the action group has to be selected. It then shows all actions which are executed in this action group and it is possible to remove any action from the sequence. When a part is selected it also shows all actions possible which can be triggered and will highlight all parts which are affected. The action apply to all parts which are placed together with symmetry. From there it is possible to add remaining actions to the sequence.
  
== How to bind action groups ==
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== See also ==
 
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* [[:Tutorial:Action group]]
Below are instructions to bind new actions to an Action Group, building on an example by Doc Faustus <ref>http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/114367/kerbal-space-program-number-binding</ref> and merging it with the [[Tutorial: Apollo 11 | Apollo 11]] tutorial (one could also use the [[Kerbal X]] stock rocket).  Steam community forums also have some useful information on this topic <ref>http://steamcommunity.com/app/220200/discussions/0/864978835564032975/#c864978835644239443</ref>.  We'll begin the first steps of adding some '''Abort''' sequences to try and save [[kerbonaut | kerbonauts]] from launch pad disasters.
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* [http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/114367/kerbal-space-program-number-binding/114369#114369 Tutorial by Doc Faustus] to answer ''Kerbal space program number binding'' on Arqade
 
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* [http://steamcommunity.com/app/220200/discussions/0/864978835564032975/#c864978835644239443 Explanation by You're Killing Me Smalls!] answering ''Group actions'' on Steam community
Steps to bind Action Groups (version 0.21.1):
 
 
 
# Load up the Apollo 11 (or Kerbal X) ship in the [[VAB]].
 
# Click on the "Action Groups" icon at the top of the screen. It's the blue button that looks like two gears.
 
# Select "Abort" from the Action Groups list on the left.  Alternately, select a number you would like the action to bind to.
 
# Click on a ship component to activate, such as the [[Rockomax Brand Decoupler]].  The item will show up on the right Selection list, with available actions below.
 
# Click on the target action from the Selection list, such as Decouple.
 
 
 
Congratulations!  The Abort sequence is now bound to decoupling the Rockomax Decoupler in case of emergency.
 
 
 
One can trigger the Abort sequence by either holding down the Backspace key, or by clicking on the abort icon next to the altimeter.
 
  
Additional worthwhile Abort sequence steps probably include adding and igniting some [[Sepratron I]] solid rocket boosters to help lift the CM away from any exploding rocket debris.  Similarly, binding parachute deployment to a custom Action Group such as the number 9, will hopefully help the CM have a softer landing after getting some distance from the launch pad and rocket debris.
 
  
  
== References ==
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[[Category:Game interface]]
<references/>
 

Latest revision as of 18:57, 8 October 2024

Click on the Hammer & Spanner icon to access Action Groups.
The Hammer & Spanner Icon as part of the in-flight toolbar
Configuring an abort sequence using action groups

An action group is a group of part actions that can be triggered using certain buttons or keys. They can be configured under the Action Groups tab in the VAB or SPH. Since version 1.8, they can also be created and edited while in-flight.

Enabling action groups

In a default career mode, the action groups button is not initially visible. The VAB or SPH buildings must be upgraded to enable them. At level two, basic action groups are available allowing the stage, gear, light, RCS, SAS, abort, and brakes groups to be customized. At level three, custom action groups are available.

The player can start with action groups enabled in career mode with a custom difficulty setting. All action groups are always available in science and sandbox modes.

Available action groups

Name Triggered by[note 1] Default key Default effect
Stage Launch/Stages Space Activate all parts of next stage
Gear Landing Gear G Toggle position of all landing gear
Light Lights U Toggle all lights on/off
RCS RCS Toggle R Toggle all RCS thrusters on/off
SAS SAS Toggle T Toggle all SAS modules on/off
Brakes Brakes B[note 2] Hold to activate all brakes
Abort Emergency abort Backspace -
Custom01 Custom action 1 Alpha1 -
Custom02 Custom action 2 Alpha2 -
Custom03 Custom action 3 Alpha3 -
Custom04 Custom action 4 Alpha4 -
Custom05 Custom action 5 Alpha5 -
Custom06 Custom action 6 Alpha6 -
Custom07 Custom action 7 Alpha7 -
Custom08 Custom action 8 Alpha8 -
Custom09 Custom action 9 Alpha9 -
Custom10 Custom action 10 Alpha0 -
  1. Names taken from "Input" section of settings
  2. Brake is the only hotkey that automatically toggles off when the key is released. However, if the game is saved while holding down the Brake key, and the save is then loaded, the brakes will remain on, and the Brake key will need to be pressed again to release them.

Uses

The tower lifts up the command pod with the Abort action group

An action group can cause any action that can also be triggered by right-clicking a part and making a selection from its popup menu. This makes action groups useful for coordinating the functions of multiple parts all over a spacecraft, or for making the same change to several identical parts. Action groups trigger all their parts simultaneously, allowing quick changes in situations where using the popup menus would be impractical or dangerous, such as surface landings or while the engines are throttled up during a maneuver.

Common uses of custom action groups include:

To create a sequence for an action group, the action group has to be selected. It then shows all actions which are executed in this action group and it is possible to remove any action from the sequence. When a part is selected it also shows all actions possible which can be triggered and will highlight all parts which are affected. The action apply to all parts which are placed together with symmetry. From there it is possible to add remaining actions to the sequence.

See also