Whip's Automatic Drop Pod Script

ATTENTION: This script triggers itself automatically. No timers needed!

[img=http://i.imgur.com/ykGrhmx.gif]

[img=https://i.imgur.com/Vw0h1Xy.png] This code allows you to make automatic drop pods that will safely land themselves. This is a much more user friendly variant of the code that I designed for my Hunchback Planetary Dropship.

My standard Infantry Drop Pod can be found HERE!

[img=https://i.imgur.com/ijnp70R.png]

• Drop pods using this code will automatically orient themselves to burn off any unwanted lateral velocity which makes low altitude drops possible!
• [img=http://i.imgur.com/8t2ywyE.gif]
• If you have a large ship and you don't wish to actually touch down, you can change the "attemptToLand" variable to false and the code will make your ship come to a stop right above the ground!
• [img=http://i.imgur.com/hKldZO4.gif]
• Additionally, the drop pod does not need to be manned in order to land! The code can land just fine without a pilot!
• You can use ANY thruster type. The code is able to compensate for thruster efficiency and cargo mass to ensure a smooth landing!
• Code variables can be changed without needing to open the program!
• You can use the same code on every drop pod without any issues or need for renaming!

[img=https://i.imgur.com/A6KkMfe.png]

Necessary Blocks

• A programmable block
• At least 1 gyroscope
• At least 1 upwards braking thruster (you should test if your drop pod has enough thrust to land!)

Optional Blocks

• A merge block, connector, and/or rotor
• A timer (Not required anymore!)

Setup

[olist] [*] Load this script into a programmable block [img=http://i.imgur.com/0qYtVZV.png]

[*] Add "Drop Pod" to the name of the cockpit or remote control on the drop pod. The code will align the bottom of the ship controller to gravity, so plan accordingly!

[*] Make sure that you have at least one gyroscope and enough braking thrust to come to a safe landing! [img=http://i.imgur.com/W99YkZj.png]

[*] (Optional) Add "Drop Pod" to the name of the merge block, connector, or rotor used to attach your drop pod to the drop platform. If you dont have any of these, you can skip this step!

[*] (Optional) Add "Drop Pod" to the name of the text panel that will be used to display drop pod information. If you dont have a text panel, you can skip this step!

[*] When you are ready to drop, run the program with the argument "drop". This argument can be bound to a timer or ship toolbar! [/olist] [img=http://i.imgur.com/44wSus3.png]

Changing Variable Values

Open the programmable block's Custom Data to change variables without needing to mess with the code! [img=http://i.imgur.com/rLvBCrG.png]

Using Multiple Drop Pods on the Same Ship

You do NOT need to rename anything if you want to drop multiple drop pods from the same ship! You can just copy and paste the SAME drop pod without any additional setup!

Variable Definitions

[table] [tr] [th]Variable Name[/th] [th]Function[/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]referenceName[/td] [td]Name tag of the drop pod ship controller[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]mergeConnectorOrRotorName[/td] [td]Name of the drop pod merge block, connector, and/or detachment rotor (optional)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]shipName[/td] [td]Name of the drop pod. This name is displayed on the status screens if present.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]statusScreenName[/td] [td]Name tag of drop pod status screens (optional)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]landingTimerName[/td] [td]Name tag of timer to trigger on landing (optional)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]maxSpeed[/td] [td]Max in-game speed. Script is configured for vanilla by default. (in meters per second)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]descentSpeed[/td] [td]Speed the drop pod will attempt to descend at (in meters per second)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]useDriftCompensation[/td] [td]Determines if the drop pod should attempt to compensate for lateral drift when landing.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]requireAttachmentBlock[/td] [td]Whether or not the code should require an attachment block (connector, merge, or rotor) to function. This is set to off by default, but I like this function so I kept it for myself :P[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]attemptToLand[/td] [td]Determines if the code should attempt to make the drop pod land on the ground. If set to false, the drop pod will come to a complete stop above the ground and give the user back control of the vessel.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]disableThrustOnLanding[/td] [td]If the braking thrusters will turn off after a successful landing. This is only considered if attemptToLand is TRUE.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]shutdownTime[/td] [td]This is the time in seconds that the drop pod should be stationary in order for the code to shut down.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]altitudeSafetyCushion[/td] [td]This is the distance (in meters) that the code will add on to the minimum computed braking altitude. You can use this to come to a full stop above the ground.[/td] [/tr] [/table]

(Do not reupload without permission, not even to mod.io)