Triggers, Events & Spawning

[Mush Martin]

Originally Posted by ACSoft

Hello,

Can anybody confirm if this function is KO or not in SH3 1.4b ? ACS
If not, can you tell me EXACTLY the conditions to let it work properly?

I do not understand the Reference KO here can you expand?

Originally Posted by ACSoft

It is the second time I try to use it, but come again to the conclusion it should be KO. I read on forums that to work, the unit or group has to be defined at a minimum distance of 20 km of the human controlled vessel. I read also that unit(s) time filter has to be "used" but no comments about how. Anyway, I do all the imaginable tests around this "Update instance" function, but all were unsuccessful.

If I am Following you. You must set the beginning date of the
time filter to the month your mission is in. units will show red blue
or green as per their dispositions on relevant dates. I have
never read the bit about AI Units or groups having to be
at any distance mine often spawn within 1000 m for single units
or most often 3000 for Surface groups or convoys.

Originally Posted by ACSoft

Even the stock mission "Malta", which use this function don't work. The unit "LBSSunderlandMKIII#1", which normally should "enter in the dance" only if my sub enter into zone "Convoy air cover", in fact, always start to patrol immediately, no matter if you enter or not into this zone with your sub.

The same with the air attack unit, which normally are triggered by a time trigger. I changed the time of the trigger one year later, but all the air groups come anyway.

ACS

This last sounds like you are looking at Random generated groups that spawn regularily and exist for a long time or the duration of the campaign
Random Generated Groups can be set to make either defined or random
units and spawn them as fast as once an hour or assumably 96 hrs but
it may be more for the max. They can also enter on a certain date
and leave on a certain date.

You would use these to make main convoys not historical recreations.

[ACSoft]

Sorry, we say often KO (Knock Out) in french. I mean broken.

Did-you tryed practically what you explain ?

Because myself, I was never able to obtain a triggered spawn. Unit or Group are immediately in action, whatever you do with the time filter.

Look in the stock "Malta" mission. Like it is designed, the SunderlandMKIII aircraft is supposed to spawn only if your sub trigger it, by entering into a zone. But it does not work at all. The aircraft is in action from the begin of the mission. You can test this by diving your sub with engines stopped (to not be detected), then go outside (F12) and use x32. You will see it passing over the camera at regular interval.

ACS

[ACSoft]

Eureka !!!

I was finally able to spawn a vessel by a trigger:

Function Spawn is, in fact, a way to anticipate the "Entry date & time".

This mean the "Entry date & time" must be defined in the future, relatively to the "Mission start date & time" defined in "Parameters". But to occur, IT IS TRUE that the distance between the unit or group to spawn and the human controlled vessel, MUST BE of ABOUT 30 Km !!! Otherwise spawn DO NOT OCCUR unless this condition become true.

Was difficult to determine & check. To found a location, with free camera, at such a distance is not easy. Finally I used a chain of small fishboats to guide me to the place.

I suppose the "Delete" function is a way to anticipate the "Exit date & time" in the same manner, but I do not test it for now.

Hope these explanations will allow other mission designers to not loose all the time I lost myself on this, to finally found how it work.

Shame on UBISoft for the documentation of this Mission Editor.

ACS

[Mush Martin]

Ive made many Random groups that spawn much much closer
but I havent used triggers much that im afraid is for a little
later.

mission building is its own art. like skinning or hexediting
but in mission building the medium for the artist is timing.

MM

[ACSoft]

Yes, but you probably don't use the function "Update instance > spawn" to generate "random groups". You just use the function "Add random generated group". So, this is simply a different feature with different behaviors.

ACS

[Mush Martin]

The ship chain was a great idea.

[Mittelwaechter]

Hi ACSoft,

would you please be so kind and explain what "trigger" you're talking about?
Do you really trigger the spawn of an unit by reaching a zone or completing an objective? Or is it a "time trigger" by entry date and time?

Would you mind to post or send a small example?

Regards,