Naming 'Playable Units' Slots & Order in Role List

[HateDread 13]

Howdy all,

I'm wondering how you name a unit set as 'playable' so it'll show up in the role-select screen when running a mission. From what I recall, you don't use the unit's name as per the default field, but instead, a command?

Also, how do you select the order in which they are shown, and what the squad is called, etc? I.e. 'Alpha' squad, and set which units are at the top of the list, all the way to the bottom.

Cheers, guys!

- HateDread

[CarlGustaffa 3]

How you set it as playable? You set it as playable :D The description (i.e. Alpha Squad Team Leader) will show below its internal designation (i.e. 1-1-A) which you cannot change. Playable units in MP can only be created with preplaced units in the editor, i.e. no scripted units will show up.

The order is by the order they were placed. If order is messed up, cut & paste until you get what you want. Playable status will be lost in this process, either do it manually or by search and replace directly in the mission.sqm file.

[HateDread 13]

Haha I know about the playable option, silly Gusta :p

I just mean, for example "M1A2 Gunner" as its name. That would only be chosen if it were actually IN the gunner position, not a separate, external crewman named "M1A2 Gunner" somehow?

[CarlGustaffa 3]

Don't think it's possible. Use standalone crew, check vehicle alive and has room, then move him in using moveInxxxx commands immediately after mission start for that client (if it works in MP, not sure). What if a client JIP'ing has slow connection and tank is destroyed before he enters the mission? Just something to watch out for.

Depends on mission naturally, but for me smells like potential problems and I'd vote against automatic move in in the first place.

[HateDread 13]

Okay, so how would you suggest I create this crew? With JIP I mean, as well.

I could always just have external crew. The issue was how to name them as their respective positions WITHOUT requiring they start in the vehicle. Guessing impossible?

[CarlGustaffa 3]

Lol, I must be getting old. Not 100% sure what you're trying to accomplish. I'd just place playable crew i the editor, name them alpha_1, alpha_2 etc, and give them description (the one below the init line) Tank commander, Tank Driver (this is what is shown in the multiplayer join dialog) etc.

Does this help, or am I missing something? Other than sleep I mean? :p

[HateDread 13]

Nope, it must be me who is getting old!

It's an issue of semantics, I think:

The description (i.e. Alpha Squad Team Leader) will show below its internal designation (i.e. 1-1-A) which you cannot change.

To me, meant that I cannot change the description, either. Your commas (or lack thereof) threw off my reading subroutines :p

And that will of course be JIP-compatible, since it's just a single unit as per normal infantry, who can then move into their respective vehicles at start.

You're a genius, my friend!

Okay, one more:

- So how do I change the name of the squads as shown on the role screen?

[st_dux 26]

Actually, you can change that 1-1-A bullcrap with setGroupId.

In order to get the order you want on the slot selection screen, you will need to place the units in that order (they always show up in the order they were placed in the editor). If you've already messed that up, you can go back and cut and paste groups to move their position around (a cut and pasted group will be considered placed last and moved to the bottom of the list).

[CarlGustaffa 3]

@ST_Dux: I have setGroupId on my units init, but they still show up as 1-1-A in the role screen. The setGroupId only affects radio communications how they will "look" on the side channel.

If you know a way to get the 1-1-A replaced with proper groupId, on the MP role screen, then I'd like to know how :)

[st_dux 26]

You're right; I guess there really is no way to change that. At least you can use the description field to indicate what group each slot will be in.

[fatty86 10]

Unit names on the selection screen can be set through the description field of each unit. Units are sorted on the screen according to the order in which they were placed on the map. First unit placed is first on the list.

[HateDread 13]

I swear I have seen squads named, such as 'Alpha', etc, in the role list.

Also, thanks for all your help so far, guys!

Edited November 17, 2010 by HateDread

[shuko 45]

I think many add the group name/callsign to leaders description:

Alpha, Team Leader

Operator

Operator

Bravo, Squad Leader

Rifleman

Rifleman

[CarlGustaffa 3]

I add them to all the units with that group, i.e.:

1-1-A (I cannot change this, but I make sure A coincides with my squad Alpha, even though it's technically company, but...)

Alpha Ass SL (RTO/M203/DAGR/Vector)

Alpha Ass Medic

Alpha Ass AR (M249 SAW)

...More on Alpha Assault Squad... Then...

1-1-B (Same thing here, B corresponds to my Bravo squad, but I cannot change the letter B).

Bravo Sup SL (RTO/M203/DAGR/Vector)

Bravo Sup Medic

Bravo Sup GL/HGL (M203/M32 MGL)

...More on Bravo Support Squad...

and so on and so forth. I try to describe Squad callsign (Alpha, Bravo), Role (SL, TL, Medic), and even special equipment or ability access depending on the mission. If it was a crew, I'd identify the vehicle type they were assigned to. Abbreviation may not be immediately clear to newcomers, but once you've played the mission once you should get a feeling for what I mean.