Re: So I had this idea. "Play" a squad.
Posted: December 9th, 2016, 12:54 pm
Some more good questions have come my way that I'll work on expanding upon this weekend.
First was "how do I get a route into a meta?"
Funny this is not too hard, if you are THAT close to seeing the want, you are really close to the technique. Let me highlight, and if needed can express more specific mouse-click level.
The overall idea is this, esp if you want to hone a route that will be used in a meta:
1) Make the route ahead of time, select it but don't start it. be certain you have linear/circular set properly (linear is PROBABLY more common when doing this in a meta)
2) make a meta rule
3) Create your "if" condition
4) for the "then" embed the current route as an Embedded route
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1) We aren't going to deal with how to make a route here, but the first step to automating a route is to get it working right before you try to "meta" it. Plan out the route and simply save it as a .NAV file
2) I won't get into how to make a route, there are solid tips here, ask if you want to get some thoughts from us on how to make great routes. Keep it simple at first and try to use more than just the "add" button in the route creation screen. Note you can talk to an NPC as part of a route. You can use a portal, and so on. Let's assume for this discussion you have a route and it's in pretty good, repeatable shape. I'm going to assume for this case, it's a route that runs your character, perhaps to the candeth LS, into the portal, up the tree, and talks to the mage for components, and to the jewelry guy for healing kits. and - this is important -- it works and you have it saved.
3) now turn navigation "off" (or vtank). Load the good route in your settings.
4) get into your meta editor, add a line/rule.
5) Verifyfor the "IF" side, create a command, for example, liten for the chat message "!restock" (note there's an entire format for this, for another topic)
6) on the "THEN" side of the rule, make a "Embedded Nav"
7) Select "import from current."
Here's the cool, and non-obvious part: The ROUTE YOU HAVE CURRENTLY LOADED gets copied, in its current state, into the meta
Easy. And not obvious till you've seen how the import works.
Now then do you have to SAVE the file and load it and import? not precisely, this can be made more complex. Stick with this for starters. And when you "get" it, stare at the export. think 'bout it, and perhaps you can even get to where you are editing an embedded route in a meta that someone else made. There will be an "ah HAH" moment.
Save a route. make a meta line. Embed (import) that route into the "then" side of the rule. Test it.
Some more advanced thoughts will come to bear here. Let's think back to that example I mentioned earlier. What REALLY happens if you try to use a route to restock?
This is important. You WAIT for Virinidi Item Tool ... or use some other tool... or you click a bunch of stuff.
But you wait.
As you code this "restock" command up, watch your character(s). Add a few seconds PAUSE after you talk to the first vendor. This about how many pack slots you REALLY need to sell an MMD and buy, say, a stack of tapers. Is that the same as what you need to buy say, ten plats? (maybe add a TEST rule to your meta, don't proceed if you have less than say 12 pack slots open).
There is a WONDERFUL bit of existing art in this department. There are dozens of incredibly complex routes here on ImmortalBob's and other sites. Are you see and use these, you'll appreciate how complex these can get.
First was "how do I get a route into a meta?"
Funny this is not too hard, if you are THAT close to seeing the want, you are really close to the technique. Let me highlight, and if needed can express more specific mouse-click level.
The overall idea is this, esp if you want to hone a route that will be used in a meta:
1) Make the route ahead of time, select it but don't start it. be certain you have linear/circular set properly (linear is PROBABLY more common when doing this in a meta)
2) make a meta rule
3) Create your "if" condition
4) for the "then" embed the current route as an Embedded route
-----------
1) We aren't going to deal with how to make a route here, but the first step to automating a route is to get it working right before you try to "meta" it. Plan out the route and simply save it as a .NAV file
2) I won't get into how to make a route, there are solid tips here, ask if you want to get some thoughts from us on how to make great routes. Keep it simple at first and try to use more than just the "add" button in the route creation screen. Note you can talk to an NPC as part of a route. You can use a portal, and so on. Let's assume for this discussion you have a route and it's in pretty good, repeatable shape. I'm going to assume for this case, it's a route that runs your character, perhaps to the candeth LS, into the portal, up the tree, and talks to the mage for components, and to the jewelry guy for healing kits. and - this is important -- it works and you have it saved.
3) now turn navigation "off" (or vtank). Load the good route in your settings.
4) get into your meta editor, add a line/rule.
5) Verifyfor the "IF" side, create a command, for example, liten for the chat message "!restock" (note there's an entire format for this, for another topic)
6) on the "THEN" side of the rule, make a "Embedded Nav"
7) Select "import from current."
Here's the cool, and non-obvious part: The ROUTE YOU HAVE CURRENTLY LOADED gets copied, in its current state, into the meta
Easy. And not obvious till you've seen how the import works.
Now then do you have to SAVE the file and load it and import? not precisely, this can be made more complex. Stick with this for starters. And when you "get" it, stare at the export. think 'bout it, and perhaps you can even get to where you are editing an embedded route in a meta that someone else made. There will be an "ah HAH" moment.
Save a route. make a meta line. Embed (import) that route into the "then" side of the rule. Test it.
Some more advanced thoughts will come to bear here. Let's think back to that example I mentioned earlier. What REALLY happens if you try to use a route to restock?
This is important. You WAIT for Virinidi Item Tool ... or use some other tool... or you click a bunch of stuff.
But you wait.
As you code this "restock" command up, watch your character(s). Add a few seconds PAUSE after you talk to the first vendor. This about how many pack slots you REALLY need to sell an MMD and buy, say, a stack of tapers. Is that the same as what you need to buy say, ten plats? (maybe add a TEST rule to your meta, don't proceed if you have less than say 12 pack slots open).
There is a WONDERFUL bit of existing art in this department. There are dozens of incredibly complex routes here on ImmortalBob's and other sites. Are you see and use these, you'll appreciate how complex these can get.