Difference between revisions of "IFF System"

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(Overview: Added Features)
(Discussions: Added another)
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[[Image:oolite-iffscanner.png|right|thumb|320px|Spot the missile]]
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[[Image:oolite-iffscanner.png|right|420px]]
 
== Overview ==
 
== Overview ==
  
The IFF (Identification, friend or foe) system, a flight grid scanner, comes fitted with every craft deemed space-worthy as it is integral to both navigation and combat. It is a sophisticated instrument that displays a 3D view of space in the immediate vicinity of your ship as seen from a point above it, and all other objects within.
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The '''scanner''' (not to be confused with either the [[Compass]] or the [[View Screen]]) picks up everything within 25km (except the surfaces of planets, suns, ''etc''.). It is a sophisticated instrument that displays a 3D view of space in the immediate vicinity of your ship as seen from a point above it, and all other objects within.
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The '''IFF''' (Identification, friend or foe) '''system''', comes fitted to every flight-grid scanner in craft deemed space-worthy as it is integral to both navigation and combat, and overlays the scanner blips with colours identifying what is what. 
  
 
== Features ==
 
== Features ==
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''Note that planet (and moon) surfaces do not show up on the scanner. Neither does the sun!'' If this proves to be an issue, some oxp [[HUD]]s provide warning on close approaches (''eg'' [[Vimana HUD]]).
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=== Facing Quadrant Lines ===
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These change depending on the view (F1/F2/F3/F4) and help indicate which way direction the viewscreen is showing.
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=== Distance Lines ===
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The distance lines change as you zoom in and out (see Zoom mode below).
  
 
=== Communications Display ===
 
=== Communications Display ===
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=== Zoom mode and Range Display ===
 
=== Zoom mode and Range Display ===
  
The IFF scanner can be zoomed up to 5x to allow precise navigation for intercepting smaller items. At any magnification the markings on the scanner automatically adjust to give a representation of target ranges.
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The IFF scanner can be zoomed up to 5x to allow precise navigation for intercepting smaller items (use of <font color="Red">'''z'''</font> & <font color="Red">'''Z'''</font> buttons). At each magnification (x1/x2/x3/x4/x5) the markings (distance lines) on the scanner automatically adjust to give a representation of target ranges.
  
 
== Legend ==
 
== Legend ==
  
* [[Image:OoIFF-white.png|20px|]] Unpowered objects unable to mass-lock the in-system jump drive.
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* [[Image:iffns-w.gif|20px|]] Unpowered objects unable to mass-lock the in-system jump drive.
* [[Image:OoIFF-yella.png|20px|]] Powered craft.
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* [[Image:iffns-y.gif|20px|]] Powered craft.
* [[Image:OoIFF-red.png|20px|]] Powered craft identified as hostile.
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* [[Image:iffns-r.gif|20px|]] Powered craft identified as hostile.
* [[Image:OoIFF-sysblue.png|20px|]] Police.
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* [[Image:iffns-p.gif|20px|]] Police.
* [[Image:OoIFF-green.png|20px|]] Space stations.
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* [[Image:iffns-g.gif|20px|]] Space stations.
* [[Image:OoIFF-liteblue.png|20px|]] Missile.
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* [[Image:iffns-c.gif|20px|]] Missile.
* [[Image: OoIFF-sysblue.png|20px|]]*[[Image:OoIFF-syspink.png|20px|]] Police on intercept.
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* [[Image:iffns-pm.gif|20px|]] Police on intercept.
* [[Image:OoIFF-green.png|20px|]]*[[Image:OoIFF-yella.png|20px|]] Navigation buoys.
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* [[Image:iffns-gy.gif|20px|]] Navigation buoys.
* [[Image:OoIFF-red.png|20px|]]*[[Image:OoIFF-green.png|20px|]] Thargoids.
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* [[Image:iffns-rg.gif|20px|]] Thargoids.
* [[Image:OoIFF-red.png|20px|]]*[[Image:OoIFF-yella.png|20px|]] Active Q bomb (about to detonate).
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* [[Image:iffns-ry.gif|20px|]] Active Q bomb (about to detonate).
* [[Image:OoIFF-wormblue.png|20px|]]*[[Image:OoIFF-liteblue.png|20px|]] Wormhole.
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* [[Image:iffns-bc.gif|20px|]] Wormhole.
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== Modifications ==
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* Tired of being jumped by pirates because your scanner was zoomed in and you didn't see them? Want to zoom in on a close adversary in a dogfight without losing track of more distant ships? Then you need the new ''nonlinear'' scanner!
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:Based on captured Thargon technology, and extensively re-engineered by Faulcon de Lacy [http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=216248#p216248 skunkworks division] so you don't need compound eyes to use it, the nonlinear scanner is the answer to every pilot's scanning problems.
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* Need closer zooming? Then you need ultra-zoom scanning (x1, x2, x4, x8, x16 instead of x1, x2, x3, x4, x5)
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* Need a larger scanner? Then you need a new [[HUD]].
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All available through use of .oxp HUDs - read [[HUDSelector]] (downloadable through the in-game [[Expansions Manager]]) - and look at [[HUD images here]].
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== History ==
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Famously, back in 1983/4, [[Ian Bell]] & [[David Braben]] had just a smidgen of memory left when they were writing the code for [[Classic Elite]] - and invented the scanner and bunged it into the game at the last minute! The IFF was first introduced in Elite A in 1997.
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== Availability ==
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All ships deemed space-worthy must have the IFF system installed
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== OXPs ==
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* [[Scanner Alerting Enhancement]]: alerts you to what is waiting on the other side of the witchspace tunnel you are in
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* [[Mining IFF Scanner Upgrade]]: distinguishes between asteroids, boulders & splinters
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* [[Police IFF Scanner Upgrade]]: distinguishes between the "innocent", offenders & fugitives
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* [[Breakable 'Standard' Equipment OXPs|Breakable HUD/IFF Scanner]] allows your Scanner to be disabled by a direct hit in combat
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* [[Telescope]]: enhances the scanner (and the [[View Screen]]), displaying the star, distant beacons ''etc''
  
'''*''' blinking
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== Discussions ==
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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* [http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1354 The (IFF) Scanner] (2006)
[[Category:Oolite]]
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* [http://bb.aegidian.org/viewtopic.php?t=13274 more "realistic" Long Range Scanner] (2013)
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* [http://bb.aegidian.org/viewtopic.php?t=13877 Ident system, how does it work?] (2013)
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* [http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=134737#p134737 Why are escape pods and rock hermits white? Both are manned] (2011)
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* [http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=19438 Ship Types and Lollipops] (2018)
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* [http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=269711#p269711 Changing the scanner range] (2020) - part of Redspear's [Rescaling experiment] for Windows computers
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{{NavBox - Oolite Equipment}}[[Category:Equipment]]

Revision as of 23:05, 22 October 2022

Oolite-iffscanner.png

Overview

The scanner (not to be confused with either the Compass or the View Screen) picks up everything within 25km (except the surfaces of planets, suns, etc.). It is a sophisticated instrument that displays a 3D view of space in the immediate vicinity of your ship as seen from a point above it, and all other objects within.

The IFF (Identification, friend or foe) system, comes fitted to every flight-grid scanner in craft deemed space-worthy as it is integral to both navigation and combat, and overlays the scanner blips with colours identifying what is what.

Features

Note that planet (and moon) surfaces do not show up on the scanner. Neither does the sun! If this proves to be an issue, some oxp HUDs provide warning on close approaches (eg Vimana HUD).

Facing Quadrant Lines

These change depending on the view (F1/F2/F3/F4) and help indicate which way direction the viewscreen is showing.

Distance Lines

The distance lines change as you zoom in and out (see Zoom mode below).

Communications Display

If a ship within the scan range should broadcast a message, the IFF system will translate this as a ripple effect that will surround the flag of the communicating ship.

Cascade Explosion Display

The Q bomb's detonation (and cascade explosions) are also shown as translucent blue spheres with a magenta edge where they intersect the horizontal plane.

Zoom mode and Range Display

The IFF scanner can be zoomed up to 5x to allow precise navigation for intercepting smaller items (use of z & Z buttons). At each magnification (x1/x2/x3/x4/x5) the markings (distance lines) on the scanner automatically adjust to give a representation of target ranges.

Legend

  • Iffns-w.gif Unpowered objects unable to mass-lock the in-system jump drive.
  • Iffns-y.gif Powered craft.
  • Iffns-r.gif Powered craft identified as hostile.
  • Iffns-p.gif Police.
  • Iffns-g.gif Space stations.
  • Iffns-c.gif Missile.
  • Iffns-pm.gif Police on intercept.
  • Iffns-gy.gif Navigation buoys.
  • Iffns-rg.gif Thargoids.
  • Iffns-ry.gif Active Q bomb (about to detonate).
  • Iffns-bc.gif Wormhole.

Modifications

  • Tired of being jumped by pirates because your scanner was zoomed in and you didn't see them? Want to zoom in on a close adversary in a dogfight without losing track of more distant ships? Then you need the new nonlinear scanner!
Based on captured Thargon technology, and extensively re-engineered by Faulcon de Lacy skunkworks division so you don't need compound eyes to use it, the nonlinear scanner is the answer to every pilot's scanning problems.
  • Need closer zooming? Then you need ultra-zoom scanning (x1, x2, x4, x8, x16 instead of x1, x2, x3, x4, x5)
  • Need a larger scanner? Then you need a new HUD.

All available through use of .oxp HUDs - read HUDSelector (downloadable through the in-game Expansions Manager) - and look at HUD images here.

History

Famously, back in 1983/4, Ian Bell & David Braben had just a smidgen of memory left when they were writing the code for Classic Elite - and invented the scanner and bunged it into the game at the last minute! The IFF was first introduced in Elite A in 1997.

Availability

All ships deemed space-worthy must have the IFF system installed

OXPs

Discussions



Oolite Equipment
Standard Equipment
Astrogation ConsoleCargo HoldCompassEnergy banksEngine/Main Drive • HUDIFF ScannerLife Support SystemsMissilePulse LaserShieldsShip's HullTorus Jump DriveView Screen • Witchspace/Hyperspace Drive
Optional Equipment
Advanced Navigational ArrayAdvanced Space CompassCargo Bay ExpansionDocking ComputersE.C.M. SystemEscape PodExtra Energy UnitExternal Heat ShieldingFuel ScoopsGalactic HyperdriveIntegrated Targeting SystemMilitary Shield EnhancementMulti-Targeting SystemNaval Energy UnitPassenger BerthScanner Targeting EnhancementShield BoostersTarget System Memory ExpansionWitchdrive Fuel InjectorsWormhole Scanner
Weapons
Beam LaserECM Hardened MissileEnergy BombMilitary LaserMining LaserMissilePulse LaserQuirium Cascade MineTwin Plasma Cannon