Align docking ports

[DarioP]

When I was doking smaller objects I used to rotate both of them face to face in order to have the ports aligned, but now I am having difficulties docking to a big spacestation. I don't want to rotate the whole station, but I cannot displace my roket in the correct direction and position in order to approach the port straightly and not from the side or backward (it was dark and I was looking at the navball and I manage to stick my roket in the midde of the station trying to reach a port located on the other side).

Maybe with a particular camera view this could be easier... How do you do this?

[Magoobleheimer]

First, I'm really confused by your disscription of what you are talking about.

Originally posted by DarioP:

... but I cannot displace my roket in the correct direction and position in order to approach the port straightly and not from the side or backward (it was dark and I was looking at the navball and I manage to stick my roket in the midde of the station trying to reach a port located on the other side).

So maybe adding a screen shot would help us to help you.

Check out your settings I'm pretty sure there is a key if you want to change your camera view. I think it is 'c' but check it first.

[Fel]

Just facing the icon on the navball is not sufficient, so here is a mod that gives you all the infos you will ever need to dock.
http://kerbalspaceport.com/dock-align-indicator/

For more info about this, check any recent-ish video where scott manley docks, like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2Xf4T1Nitw
Around 12:00 for the actual docking.

[DarioP]

Thanks a lot Fel, that was exactly what I was looking for! Should be included in the main stream!

[Fel]

Not as is, but there should be tools to dock.

Thinking about this, there is a zone in the "docking" (you know, the button between "staging" and "map" that noboy uses) that could very well be replaced by this mod.

But in the mantime, there is this, and there are quite a few camera mods that can help a bit. But not as much as having all the indicators in an easy to read way like that.

[Maverick]

Couple of neat tricks to try.

- Use spotlights on the the docker. Will light things up a long way out.

- Use lights on the station poiting at the ports.

- For very close rotational alignment I use aerials. The station has them where I want things to line up and I place one on the docking port of current component. Slight Q and E touches just prior to lock and presto.

Mav

[Fly]

Personally, I prefer the Lazor Docking Cam (http://kerbalspaceport.com/lazor-docking-cam/), for that lovely black and white grainy image we know and love from the docking videos we got from progress capsules (like that one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rowKB_9_JQE the docking cam plugin looks not that much different, including all those cool numbers and stuff).

[El Rushbo]

Originally posted by Fel:

Thinking about this, there is a zone in the "docking" (you know, the button between "staging" and "map" that noboy uses) that could very well be replaced by this mod.

I actually use this one. With a proper RCS setup the controls are identical to a Kerbal EVA. I just switch between the two when I need to rotate my ship and when I need to close in.

[Bubba Fett]

The dock alignment plugin works great and the suggestions about adding lights is also good.

The smartass panel of mechjec is also handy for docking. It can keep your ship pointed at the docking port or parallel to it. It's also very nice that it can line up on the relative velocity. This lets you do fairly fast approaches and slow down at close range with your main engine.
If you make sure your RCS thrusters are in line with your COM it makes it easier to dock as well. (you don't get rotation added to your lateral movement)

You also want to use the chase view or put a marker on your ship so you can tell which is the top from behind the ship. I use a little red light for a marker. By keeping the top of the ship pointed at the top of the screen your RCS controls are more intuitive.

Even using the docking alignment plugin the velocity marker on the navball is still usefull. It seems VERY sensitive at low speeds. This helps stay lined up on your final approach.

[Fel]

Originally posted by El Rushbo:

I actually use this one. With a proper RCS setup the controls are identical to a Kerbal EVA. I just switch between the two when I need to rotate my ship and when I need to close in.

Not sure if you know it, but the translation part can be achieved in the normal mode too, using right handd keys (thay I rebound to the arrows, right ctrl and right shift).

[johnny_Panzer]

Originally posted by Fel:

Originally posted by El Rushbo:

I actually use this one. With a proper RCS setup the controls are identical to a Kerbal EVA. I just switch between the two when I need to rotate my ship and when I need to close in.

Not sure if you know it, but the translation part can be achieved in the normal mode too, using right handd keys (thay I rebound to the arrows, right ctrl and right shift).

This. I never use the docking mode at all, I just use the default I,J,K,L and H/N to go forward/backwards.

There is soooo much I still don't know about, or have trouble doing, in this game. But oddly enough, docking is not one of them. I watched Manley's video on rendevouz and docking and for some reason I just "got it" right away and have never had a problem with it since.

[DarioP]

I've found an alternative way using only the in-game tools :)

Here is my new design! Note the special command pod and the docking port displacement. This simple rocket is more than enough to go to my station up to 500km and reentry.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=180862369

Now let's go to cockpit view
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=180862262

Getting closer...
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=180862277

And here we are!
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=180862244

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=180862217

Now going back..
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=180862299

It's getting hot in here!
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=180862329

Success! ...a lift please :D
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=180862355

[Fel]

Wah, that's actually a great idea for vanilla docking.

[Bubba Fett]

That is a pretty good idea for stock parts. If you want to try some capsules from mods, a couple I've found that have good IVA's are the capsule from the HOME pack and the overview cockpit from the B9 pack.
I also notice that your navball is in orbit mode rather than target mode. I've never actually noticed if it's locked to orbit mode in IVA, but now I'm going to have to check. A working navball makes docking a lot easier. (the velocity indicator it very sensitive at low speed)

[tam1g10]

I park around it and then manuvour myself into possition with rcs (ikjlhn) for lateral movements.
It's finicity but possible and doesn't require mods. Seriously I like the universe replacer mod and texure packs but many of these seem like cheating to me

[DarioP]

Originally posted by Bubba Fett:

I also notice that your navball is in orbit mode rather than target mode. I've never actually noticed if it's locked to orbit mode in IVA, but now I'm going to have to check. A working navball makes docking a lot easier. (the velocity indicator it very sensitive at low speed)

It probably went that way because I deselected the station while making the screenshots. Normally it works just fine, but instead of the common one, it only displays velocity without the decimal figure. Not a big point as in the last 30 m I just go for a visual approach.