formation widget

at the moment i am coding a formation widget which can put units in a formation (what else?). rectangle formation is finished, i am working on triangle/circle/ring/star formations. its configurable (space between units, exact shape, ...) and puts assaults in front automatically (raiders->assaults->riots->skirms->artillery)(and damaged units behind undamaged ones). if anyone could make the UI for that, it would be great because i have not worked with chilli/widget initialization and would like it if i get some support. thanks!

if anybody has suggestions, just post it!

anyway, in some weeks the full widget will get released

This is going to make the game much better. Will there be a semi-circle too? it would be useful for hammers etc. Why do raiders go before assault units? it would be good if you could configure which units go in front of others.

licho:
1. i didnt know the shortcut, what does it exactly?
2. the widget IS in progress, i am currently developing
thesponge:
1. what do you mean with semi-circle?
2. good idea, you will be able to change the unit order in widget settings
AFK_Kitty:
1. shields and cloakers are spread out so all units are shielded/cloaked (if there are more shields than needed, the front shieldline will be stronger) (in case of shield + cloaker: formation split or "normal" mixing(like there are no units of the other type)
2. ill try to make that the units go under the shield anyway even if the original shape is a rect, it will be a bit like a circle, but you can also set that the units remain in the shape(in this case shield is centered 1/3 shieldrange behind front)
3. ill try skirm control/kiting but it wont be easy...
i will make some split functionality, but how should a WIDGET know how to retreat? it would be an AI which handeles only battle and no eco XD
(PS: when i have all important features implemented, ill try to write a formation AI (FAI) which uses different formations to battle, raid and even expand(1con-formations))
4. i will make guarding units take over the set formation
5. this is a good idea, but if i have implemented ALL features, its probably better to use a own tab on the control panel (formations, settings, formation commands, ...)


i changed my plan for releasing: i will release the first, VERY simple version of this widget ca. next week, and keep evolving it until it has all the requested features
(the first version can only put the units in a rectangle formation on order, and only one-time(ordered move-points))

EDIT: in some hours ill post a link to changelog and feature list

quote: A semi-circle would mainly be used for artillery i think

You don't, in all likelihood, want your artillery to walk in that semicircle - you want them to attack in it. So all you have to do is to draw a line and set Fight.

Also, what licho said about ctrl+move.

This widget ALONE can make game 300% better, did miss Formations lot.

I will gladly wait for it:).wasn't you the same guy that tried to work on modular units?

the formation AI mentioned in the feature list will be also used in the new game if released, of curse

i dont want that modules are units because it would be inaccurate, and the gameplay would not be as good as it would be with units which are built in one piece with the choosen weapons and modules. its possible to edit the unitdef directly, however its very complex. but the main problem is that i am VERY BAD in 3dmodelling, and i have only a few time so I CANT DO IT ALONE!!!

anyone wants a formation widget? or should i stop development and make a engine which supports widgets in an easyer way first?

I HAVE NO IDEAS HOW I CAN MAKE THE GUI FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pls post the code for it if you want formations in game (dont expect that i am perfect: i am 14 years old and have only a few time)

No need for that; zero-k has its own lua gui toolkit called chili, which is used for all its interface elements.

You can get started with it here: http://springrts.com/wiki/Chili