Long Range course:
Can set a Long Range course from the "Star Maps" computer now. It will project a course with jump points circled in blue. You can then click a button in "Navigation" that says "Resume LR course" and this will plot a course to the next jump point. The Star maps will also display the total jumps and distance to target. The long range course is like an expedition, a final destination for a ship. While on this course, the ship can still plot other courses and scan interesting areas you may come across.
-> This means that you can set a Long Range expedition course and if you find an interesting area you can jump around there, investigate, and when you're ready you can always resume your Long Range course or plot another one at any time.
To plot a new Long Range course, go to "Star Maps", then click on "Plot new course". Now you will need to click on either an object (can be a star, ship, black hole, wormhole, special event) or on a quadrant. This will set the course to either the object or the quadrant center. Note that at this stage you can also zoom the map or move it with the cardinal points. Clicking it will go to confirmation. When you're satisfied with the Long Range expedition course, "Confirm" it and it will be set to go, or "Cancel" and move the map and try some other destination.
The destination can be just about anywhere, and you can zoom the map out and move to distant quadrants then set a course to those. In the depths of space, you will sometimes find isolated hermit stars, pockets of stars or even monsters or events beyond explanation... this will come with "Mysterious encounters" project.
VIP computers can set a Long Distance course of up to 200 jumps, while regular computers can do 75 jumps max.
The distance depends on the jump range of the ship, e.g. if the ship has 32 LY jump and scan range, it will cover 32*75 = 2,400 Light Years
Autopilot:
The Autopilot is the latest invention from the scientists on Earth with SOL Corporation support. It incorporates advanced AI features that enable ships to use an advanced Cruise control feature. When the AP is turned on, it will detect if a course is set and when the calculation is completed it will JUMP the ship. If a Long Range course is set, it will then resume this course and jump the ship all the way to the destination, provided there are enough Fuel Cells in the cargo bay.
+ The AP can be enabled / disabled from the "Comms->Ships" / "SITREP" for multiple ships or "Star Maps" / "Navigation" for the active ship.
+ If a course is set, it finishes the current course then resumes any Long Range course that is set. If nothing to do, it disengages.
+ Automatically scans for surrounding stars and special events (black holes, wormholes, space monsters) within scan range.
+ If there's not enough Fuel Cells to make the jump or if there's a problem with the Wormhole Gen engines, it reports to the captain via message, then disengages.
+ Jumps and Fuel usage is reported in the cargo log area of the ship.
+ Enabling the AP when there is no short / Long Range course will do nothing, the AP will disengage automatically if nothing to do.
+ When it arrives at destination, the captain is informed via message then AP disengages.
The Autopilot function is incorporated in all VIP computers. Regular ship computers can be upgraded as well with an "Autopilot extension" module.
New modules:
+ Nav computer AI extension
"Extends the scanning and jumping range of the navigation computer by 1 LY at MK I. Higher mark increases the boost."
This module is perfect if you want to boost your scan and jump range. This will reflect in "Navigation" area, where you will see the "Range: ## LY" increase, as well as the navigation image & circle.
Note: If you installed a ship range extension after you plotted a Long Range course, the first jump will use old range, unless you re-plot the course. The next jumps will use the new range.
+Autopilot extension
"Upgrades the nav computer to include the VIP autopilot for the ship it is installed on. As an added effect, it also increases nav computer scanning and jump range by 0.25 LY at MK I. Higher mark increases the boost."
This module enables the Autopilot function just for the ship it is installed on. It also improves ship scan & jump range a bit. There's no need for an AP module if you have VIP computers. If you just want to use the AP function on a ship, a single AP module should do just fine. It costs 30 QP / 60 after a week, and can be acquired from the project item list.
New ship with special optimization:
+ Experimental Cruiser | Long range jumper MK X
"This ship incorporates the latest experimental advances in navigational computers, giving increased scanning and jump distance range.
Cruiser ship with a unique optimization "Long range jumper" | Optimization bonus: "32 LY Nav computer range"
The ship is a Cruiser type ship with 20 module slots, pre equipped with "Long range jumper MK X" optimization that will only be available in the pledge system."
The ship can be acquired in from the project details within the "Pledge" area of the game.
Note: On extreme ranges like 40+ LY, the Navigation screen can be very big and might require scrolling. We're working on a solution, something optional like the map zoom feature that will make the contacts smaller thus fit better on the screen.
All search options are now activated:
+ Can search for star names (case insensitive).
+ Search for Owned assets like ships, orbital stations, planetary modules (case insensitive).
+ Search for resources like minerals / gases (case sensitive).
+ You can search for waypoints name or descriptions. It will show waypoints found and you will be able to click it to set an LR course to it (case insensitive).
If you find any bugs, please message me or support. Thank you.
Have fun