Release 2024-01

Many changes:
- Added framework/menu for JTAC special options (toggle on/off or requests)
- Added 9 Line, Smoke on TGT. Toggle lasing, Toggle speed/wind corrections special options
- Reworked the JTAC pagination system to fully utilize F1-F9 entries
- Reworked refresh for JTAC radio menus, any action triggers a refresh for a JTAC and otherwise it stays for 2min (Mitigation of the radio menu overlap when refreshing while the player is already in the radio menu)
- Bug fixes here and there regarding the criterias to display or not the target list of a JTAC and it's special options
- Updated documentation for the JTAC automatic lasing feature
- Added the ability to load dynamically the ctld.lua file in the test mission
- Bug fixes to the ctld.getGroup function
- Added a one-second delay when a JTAC is spawned, before starting auto-lase

README.md

@@ -101,6 +101,20 @@ You can also edit the CTLD.lua file to change some configuration options. Make s
 
 ## Setup in Mission Editor
 
+### Test mission
+
+You can use the `test-mission.miz` mission as a demonstration on how to use the CTLD script in a DCS mission.
+
+This mission includes the CTLD script, a proper configuration, demonstration for some of the main features (including the "JTAC talk over the radio via SRS" functionality).
+
+**Note to developers**: it's quite easy to set the loading of the CTLD script to dynamic, so you can make changes to the script, save it and simply reload the mission (left-shift + R) in the game to test the edits you made.
+
+To do this, simply change the "Define loading mode" trigger (1) so that the condition reads "FLAG IS FALSE" (2), and edit the "DO SCRIPT" action (3) to replace the path with the path to the `CTLD.lua` file on your PC.
+
+Optionaly, you can disable the STTS (text to speech over SRS) feature (4).
+
+![dynamic_loading]
+
 ### Script Setup
 **This script requires MIST version 4.0.57 or above: https://github.com/mrSkortch/MissionScriptingTools**
 
@@ -130,10 +144,12 @@ To use the real cargo sling behaviour, set the ```ctld.slingLoad``` option to ``
 -- ************************************************************************
 ctld.staticBugFix = true --  When statics are destroyed, DCS Crashes. Set this to FALSE when this bug is fixed or if you want to use REAL sling loads :)
 
-ctld.disableAllSmoke = false -- if true, all smoke is diabled at pickup and drop off zones regardless of settings below. Leave false to respect settings below
+ctld.disableAllSmoke = false -- if true, all smoke is disabled at pickup and drop off zones regardless of settings below. Leave false to respect settings below
 
 ctld.hoverPickup = true --  if set to false you can load crates with the F10 menu instead of hovering...!
 
+ctld.loadCrateFromMenu = false -- if set to true, you can load crates with the F10 menu OR hovering, in case of using choppers and planes for example.
+
 ctld.enableCrates = true -- if false, Helis will not be able to spawn or unpack crates so will be normal CTTS
 ctld.slingLoad = false -- if false, crates can be used WITHOUT slingloading, by hovering above the crate, simulating slingloading but not the weight...
 -- There are some bug with Sling-loading that can cause crashes, if these occur set slingLoad to false
@@ -659,19 +675,29 @@ ctld.JTAC_LIMIT_BLUE = 10 -- max number of JTAC Crates for the BLUE Side
 
 ctld.JTAC_dropEnabled = true -- allow JTAC Crate spawn from F10 menu
 
-ctld.JTAC_maxDistance = 4000 -- How far a JTAC can "see" in meters (with Line of Sight)
+ctld.JTAC_maxDistance = 10000 -- How far a JTAC can "see" in meters (with Line of Sight)
 
-ctld.JTAC_smokeOn_RED = true -- enables marking of target with smoke for RED forces
-ctld.JTAC_smokeOn_BLUE = true -- enables marking of target with smoke for BLUE forces
+ctld.JTAC_smokeOn_RED = true -- enables automatic marking of target with smoke for RED forces
+ctld.JTAC_smokeOn_BLUE = true -- enables automatic marking of target with smoke for BLUE forces
 
 ctld.JTAC_smokeColour_RED = 4 -- RED side smoke colour -- Green = 0 , Red = 1, White = 2, Orange = 3, Blue = 4
 ctld.JTAC_smokeColour_BLUE = 1 -- BLUE side smoke colour -- Green = 0 , Red = 1, White = 2, Orange = 3, Blue = 4
 
-ctld.JTAC_jtacStatusF10 = false -- enables F10 JTAC Status menu
+ctld.JTAC_smokeOffset_x = 0.0 -- distance in the X direction from target to smoke (meters)
+ctld.JTAC_smokeOffset_y = 2.0 -- distance in the Y direction from target to smoke (meters)
+ctld.JTAC_smokeOffset_z = 0.0 -- distance in the z direction from target to smoke (meters)
 
-ctld.JTAC_location = false -- shows location of target in JTAC message
+ctld.JTAC_jtacStatusF10 = true -- enables F10 JTAC Status menu
 
-ctld.JTAC_lock =  "all" -- "vehicle" OR "troop" OR "all" forces JTAC to only lock vehicles or troops or all ground units
+ctld.JTAC_location = true -- shows location of target in JTAC message
+ctld.location_DMS = false -- shows coordinates as Degrees Minutes Seconds instead of Degrees Decimal minutes
+
+ctld.JTAC_lock = "all" -- "vehicle" OR "troop" OR "all" forces JTAC to only lock vehicles or troops or all ground units
+
+ctld.JTAC_allowStandbyMode = true -- Allow players to toggle lasing on/off
+ctld.JTAC_laseSpotCorrections = true -- Allow players to toggle on/off the JTAC leading it's target, taking into account current wind conditions and the speed of the target (particularily useful against moving heavy armor)
+ctld.JTAC_allowSmokeRequest = true -- Allow players to request a smoke on target (temporary)
+ctld.JTAC_allow9Line = true -- Allow players to ask for a 9Line (individual) for a specific JTAC's target
 
 ```
 
@@ -679,19 +705,39 @@ To make a unit deployed from a crate into a JTAC unit, add the type to the ```ct
 
 The script allows a JTAC to mark and hold an IR and Laser point on a target allowing TGP's to lock onto the lase and ease of target location using NV Goggles.
 
-The JTAC will automatically switch targets when a target is destroyed or goes out of Line of Sight.
+The JTAC will automatically switch targets when a target is destroyed or goes out of Line of Sight. Alternatively, a target list is available to chose from for each JTAC.
 
 The JTACs can be configured globally to target only vehicles or troops or all ground targets.
 
+JTACs can also be asked to put smoke on target, give out 9-Lines, to toggle lasing on/off and compensate the laser spot position for target movement and local wind.
+
 *** NOTE: LOS doesn't include buildings or tree's... Sorry! ***
 
-The script can also be useful in daylight by enabling the JTAC to mark enemy positions with Smoke. The JTAC will only move the smoke to the target every 5 minutes (to stop a huge trail of smoke markers) unless the target is destroyed, in which case the new target will be marked straight away with smoke. There is also an F10 menu option for units allowing the JTAC(s) to report their current status but if a JTAC is down it won't report in.
+The script can also be useful in daylight by enabling the JTAC to automatically mark enemy positions with Smoke. The JTAC will only move the smoke to the target every 5 minutes (to stop a huge trail of smoke markers) unless the target is destroyed, in which case the new target will be marked straight away with smoke. There is also an F10 menu to get the status of all JTACs, access the target lists and options for each JTAC (such as toggling lasing on/off or requesting a smoke manually). Do note that if a JTAC is down it won't report in or have it's own menu for targets and options. JTACs also do not overlap each other so the target lists do not include already lased targets.
 
-To add JTACS to the mission using the editor place a JTAC unit on the map putting each JTAC in it's own group containing only itself and no
+The automatic smokes will be offset from the target by the distances declared in the `ctld.JTAC_smokeOffset_*` constants. Requested smokes will be put close but not on target.
+
+In practice, this is what the F10 radio menu for JTACs looks like :
+
+![alt text](https://imgur.com/pfVldQ1.png "JTAC F10 Radio Menu")
+
+You can see the "JTAC Status" command and the Selection Lists for each JTAC. Those look like :
+
+![alt text](https://imgur.com/oDtajwv.png "Selection List for a JTAC")
+
+Each target type within LOS of the JTAC and not already being lased (by any JTAC) is listed. Quantity is indicated. There is also the Action menu which looks like :
+
+![alt text](https://imgur.com/nYWODLj.png "Action List for a JTAC")
+
+This will allow you to act on the behavior of the JTAC or make requests. These items get updated every minute or so to reflect current configuration, same for the target list.
+
+*** NOTE: Please be patient with the JTAC menu, wait at least 10 seconds between commands. If a spurious command is triggered, wait the same 10 seconds and try again. Sorry for this inconvenience. ***
+
+To add JTACs or AFACs to the mission using the editor place a JTAC/AFAC unit on the map putting each JTAC/AFAC in it's own group containing only itself and no
 other units. Name the group something easy to remember e.g. JTAC1 and make sure the JTAC units have a unique name which must
 not be the same as the group name. The editor should do this for you but be careful if you copy and paste.
 
-Run the code below as a DO SCRIPT at the start of the mission, or after a delay if you prefer to activate a mission JTAC. 
+Run the code below as a DO SCRIPT at the start of the mission, or after a delay if you prefer to activate a mission JTAC or AFAC. 
 
 **JTAC units deployed by unpacking a crate will automatically activate and begin searching for targets immediately.**
 
@@ -839,7 +885,7 @@ Once you've loaded the crate, fly to where you want to drop it and drop using th
 
 Once on the ground unpack as normal using the CTLD Commands Menu - CTLD->CTLD Commands->Unpack Crate
 
-**Note: You can also set ```ctld.hoverPickup = false``` so you can load crates using the F10 menu instead of Hovering. **
+**Note: You can also set ```ctld.hoverPickup = false``` so you can load crates using the F10 menu instead of Hovering; or keep ```ctld.hoverPickup = true``` and set ```ctld.loadCrateFromMenu = true``` so you can load the crates by hovering OR from the F10 menu**
  
 ### Real Sling Loading
 
@@ -1014,3 +1060,5 @@ Below is a complete list of all the "actions" plus the data that is sent through
 * ```{unit = "Unit that did the action",crate = "Crate Details", spawnedGroup = "Group rearmed by crate", action = "rearm"}```
 * ```{unit = "Unit that did the action",crate = "Crate Details", spawnedGroup = "Group spawned by crate", action = "unpack"}```
 * ```{unit = "Unit that did the action",crate = "Crate Details", spawnedGroup = "Group repaired by crate", action = "repair"}```
+
+[dynamic_loading]: trigger-dynamic-loading.png