Version 0.96

rndZone, pulseZone

modules/FARPZones.lua

@@ -1,17 +1,21 @@
 FARPZones = {}
-FARPZones.version = "1.0.2"
+FARPZones.version = "1.1.0"
+FARPZones.verbose = false 
 --[[--
   Version History
   1.0.0 - Initial Version
   1.0.1 - support "none" as defender types
         - default types for defenders to none
   1.0.2 - hiddenRed, hiddenBlue, hiddenGrey
+  1.1.0 - config zone 
+		- rFormation attribute added 
+		- verbose flag 
+		- verbose cleanup ("FZ: something happened")
   
 --]]--
+
 FARPZones.requiredLibs = {
-	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
+	"dcsCommon", 
-	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
-				 -- need common to invoke the check, but anyway
 	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
 --	"cfxCommander", -- to make troops do stuff
 --	"cfxGroundTroops", -- generic when dropping troops
@@ -134,25 +138,29 @@ function FARPZones.createFARPFromZone(aZone)
 			aZone, 
 			"rPhiHDef", 
 			3)
---	trigger.action.outText("*** DEF rPhi are " .. rPhi[1] .. " and " .. rPhi[2], 30)
+	--trigger.action.outText("*** DEF rPhi are " .. rPhi[1] .. " and " .. rPhi[2] .. " heading " .. rPhi[3], 30)
 	-- get r and phi for facilities
 	-- create a new defenderzone for this 
 	local r = rPhi[1]
 	local phi = rPhi[2] * 0.0174533 -- 1 degree = 0.0174533 rad
 	local dx = aZone.point.x + r * math.cos(phi)
 	local dz = aZone.point.z + r * math.sin(phi)
-	theFarp.defZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone(aZone.name .. "-Def", {x=dx, y = 0, z=dz}, 100)
+	local formRad = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "rFormation", 100)
+	
+	theFarp.defZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone(aZone.name .. "-Def", {x=dx, y = 0, z=dz}, formRad)
 	theFarp.defHeading = rPhi[3]
 	
+	rPhi = {}
 	rPhi = cfxZones.getVectorFromZoneProperty(
 			aZone, 
 			"rPhiHRes", 
-			3) -- optional, will reterurn {0,0} else 
+			3)  
---	trigger.action.outText("*** RES rPhi are " .. rPhi[1] .. " and " .. rPhi[2] .. " heading " .. rPhi[3], 30)
+	--trigger.action.outText("*** RES rPhi are " .. rPhi[1] .. " and " .. rPhi[2] .. " heading " .. rPhi[3], 30)
 	r = rPhi[1]
 	phi = rPhi[2] * 0.0174533 -- 1 degree = 0.0174533 rad
 	dx = aZone.point.x + r * math.cos(phi)
 	dz = aZone.point.z + r * math.sin(phi)
+	
 	theFarp.resZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone(aZone.name .. "-Res", {x=dx, y = 0, z=dz}, 50)
 	theFarp.resHeading = rPhi[3]
 	
@@ -307,7 +315,10 @@ function FARPZones.produceVehicles(theFarp)
 		table.insert(unitTypes, "Soldier M4") -- make it one m4 trooper as fallback
 	end
 	
-	-- trigger.action.outText("*** ENTER produce vehicles, will produce " .. theTypes , 30)
+	if FARPZones.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("*** ENTER produce DEF vehicles, will produce " .. theTypes , 30)
+	end 
+	
 	local theCoalition = theFarp.owner 
 	
 	if theTypes ~= "none" then 
@@ -364,12 +375,14 @@ function FARPZones.somethingHappened(event)
 	local theUnit = event.initiator
 	local ID = event.id
 	
-	trigger.action.outText("FZ: something happened", 30) 
+	--trigger.action.outText("FZ: something happened", 30) 
 	local aFarp = event.place
 	local zonedFarp = FARPZones.getFARPZoneForFARP(aFarp) 
 
-	if not zonedFarp then 
+	if not zonedFarp then
-		trigger.action.outText("Hand change, NOT INTERESTING", 30)
+		if FARPZones.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("Hand change, NOT INTERESTING", 30)
+		end 
 		return 
 	end 
 
@@ -380,9 +393,7 @@ function FARPZones.somethingHappened(event)
 	trigger.action.outSound("Quest Snare 3.wav")
 	zonedFarp.owner = newOwner
 	zonedFarp.zone.owner = newOwner 
-	-- better: sound winm and lose to different sides 
 	-- update color in map 
---	FARPZones.drawFarp(zonedFarp)
 	FARPZones.drawFARPCircleInMap(zonedFarp)
 	
 	-- remove all existing resources immediately, 
@@ -406,6 +417,23 @@ end
 --
 -- Start 
 --
+function FARPZones.readConfig()
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("farpZonesConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		if FARPZones.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("***frpZ: NO config zone!", 30) 
+		end
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	FARPZones.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+ 	
+	FARPZones.spinUpDelay = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "spinUpDelay", 30)
+	
+	if FARPZones.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("***frpZ: read config", 30) 
+	end
+end
 
 
 function FARPZones.start()
@@ -416,7 +444,10 @@ function FARPZones.start()
 	end
 	
 	FARPZones.startingUp = true 
-	 
+	
+	-- read config zone 
+	FARPZones.readConfig()
+	
 	-- install callbacks for FARP-relevant events
 	dcsCommon.addEventHandler(FARPZones.somethingHappened,
 							  FARPZones.preProcessor,
@@ -427,10 +458,11 @@ function FARPZones.start()
 	for k, aZone in pairs(theZones) do 
 		local aFARP = FARPZones.createFARPFromZone(aZone) -- read attributes from DCS
 		FARPZones.addFARPZone(aFARP) -- add to managed zones 
---		FARPZones.drawFarp(aFARP)
 		FARPZones.drawFARPCircleInMap(aFARP) -- mark in map 
-		FARPZones.produceVehicles(aFARP) -- allocate initial vehicles 
+		FARPZones.produceVehicles(aFARP) -- allocate initial vehicles
-		--trigger.action.outText("processed FARP " .. aZone.name .. " now owned by " .. aZone.owner, 30)
+		if FARPZones.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("processed FARP <" .. aZone.name .. "> now owned by " .. aZone.owner, 30)
+		end 
 	end
 
 	FARPZones.startingUp = false 

modules/RNDFlags.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,350 @@
+rndFlags = {}
+rndFlags.version = "1.0.0"
+rndFlags.verbose = false 
+rndFlags.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+--[[
+	Random Flags: DML module to select flags at random
+	and then change them
+	
+	Copyright 2022 by Christian Franz and cf/x 
+	
+	Version History
+	1.0.0 - Initial Version 
+
+--]]
+rndFlags.rndGen = {}
+
+function rndFlags.addRNDZone(aZone)
+	table.insert(rndFlags.rndGen, aZone)
+end
+
+function rndFlags.flagArrayFromString(inString)
+	if string.len(inString) < 1 then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: empty flags", 30)
+		return {} 
+	end
+	if rndFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: processing <" .. inString .. ">", 30)
+	end 
+	
+	local flags = {}
+	local rawElements = dcsCommon.splitString(inString, ",")
+
+	for idx, anElement in pairs(rawElements) do 
+		if dcsCommon.containsString(anElement, "-") then 
+			-- interpret this as a range
+			local theRange = dcsCommon.splitString(anElement, "-")
+			local lowerBound = theRange[1]
+			lowerBound = tonumber(lowerBound)
+			local upperBound = theRange[2]
+			upperBound = tonumber(upperBound)
+			if lowerBound and upperBound then
+				-- swap if wrong order
+				if lowerBound > upperBound then 
+					local temp = upperBound
+					upperBound = lowerBound
+					lowerBound = temp 
+				end
+				-- now add add numbers to flags
+				for f=lowerBound, upperBound do 
+					table.insert(flags, f)
+					--trigger.action.outText("+++RND: added <" .. f .. "> (range)", 30)
+				end
+			else
+				-- bounds illegal
+				trigger.action.outText("+++RND: ignored range <" .. anElement .. "> (range)", 30)
+			end
+		else
+			-- single number
+			f = tonumber(anElement)
+			if f then 
+				table.insert(flags, f)
+				--trigger.action.outText("+++RND: added <" .. f .. "> (single)", 30)
+			else 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++RND: ignored element <" .. anElement .. "> (single)", 30)
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	if rndFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: <" .. #flags .. "> flags total", 30)
+	end 
+	return flags
+end
+
+--
+-- create rnd gen from zone 
+--
+function rndFlags.createRNDWithZone(theZone)
+	local flags = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "flags!", "")
+	if flags == "" then 
+		-- let's try alternate spelling without "!"
+		flags = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "flags", "") 
+	end 
+	-- now build the flag array from strings
+	local theFlags = rndFlags.flagArrayFromString(flags)
+	theZone.myFlags = theFlags
+
+
+	theZone.pollSizeMin, theZone.pollSize = cfxZones.getPositiveRangeFromZoneProperty(theZone, "pollSize", 1)
+	if rndFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: pollSize is <" .. theZone.pollSizeMin .. ", " .. theZone.pollSize .. ">", 30)
+	end
+			 
+	
+	theZone.remove = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "remove", false)
+
+	-- trigger flag 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "f?") then 
+		theZone.triggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "f?", "none")
+	end
+	
+	if theZone.triggerFlag then 
+		theZone.lastTriggerValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.triggerFlag) -- save last value
+	end
+	
+	theZone.onStart = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "onStart", false)
+	
+	if not theZone.onStart and not theZone.triggerFlag then 
+		theZone.onStart = true 
+	end
+	
+	theZone.method = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "method", "on")
+	
+	theZone.reshuffle = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "reshuffle", false)
+	if theZone.reshuffle then 
+		-- create a backup copy we can reshuffle from 
+		theZone.flagStore = dcsCommon.copyArray(theFlags)
+	end
+	
+	--theZone.rndPollSize = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "rndPollSize", false)
+	
+	-- done flag 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "done+1") then 
+		theZone.doneFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "done+1", "none")
+	end
+end
+
+function rndFlags.reshuffle(theZone)
+	if rndFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: reshuffling zone " .. theZone.name, 30)
+	end
+	theZone.myFlags = dcsCommon.copyArray(theZone.flagStore)
+end
+
+--
+-- fire RND
+-- 
+function rndFlags.pollFlag(theFlag, method) 
+	if rndFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: polling flag " .. theFlag .. " with " .. method, 30)
+	end 
+	
+	method = method:lower()
+	local currVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theFlag)
+	if method == "inc" or method == "f+1" then 
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, currVal + 1)
+		
+	elseif method == "dec" or method == "f-1" then 
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, currVal - 1)
+		
+	elseif method == "off" or method == "f=0" then 
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, 0)
+		
+	elseif method == "flip" or method == "xor" then 
+		if currVal ~= 0 then 
+			trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, 0)
+		else 
+			trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, 1)
+		end
+		
+	else 
+		if method ~= "on" and method ~= "f=1" then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++RND: unknown method <" .. method .. "> - using 'on'", 30)
+		end
+		-- default: on.
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, 1)
+	end
+	
+	local newVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theFlag)
+	if rndFlags.verbose then
+		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: flag <" .. theFlag .. "> changed from " .. currVal .. " to " .. newVal, 30)
+	end 
+end
+
+function rndFlags.fire(theZone) 
+	-- fire this rnd 
+	-- create a local copy of all flags 
+	if theZone.reshuffle and #theZone.myFlags < 1 then 
+		rndFlags.reshuffle(theZone)
+	end
+	
+	local availableFlags = dcsCommon.copyArray(theZone.myFlags)--{}
+--	for idx, aFlag in pairs(theZone.myFlags) do 
+--		table.insert(availableFlags, aFlag)
+--	end
+	
+	-- do this pollSize times 
+	local pollSize = theZone.pollSize
+	local pollSizeMin = theZone.pollSizeMin
+	
+	if pollSize ~= pollSizeMin then 
+		-- pick random in range , say 3-7 --> 5 items!
+		pollSize = (pollSize - pollSizeMin) + 1 -- 7-3 + 1
+		pollSize = dcsCommon.smallRandom(pollSize) - 1 --> 0-4
+--		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: RAW pollsize " ..  pollSize, 30)
+		pollSize = pollSize + pollSizeMin 
+--		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: adj pollsize " ..  pollSize, 30)
+		if pollSize > theZone.pollSize then pollSize = theZone.pollSize end 
+		if pollSize < 1 then pollSize = 1 end 
+		
+		if rndFlags.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++RND: RND " .. theZone.name .. " range " .. pollSizeMin .. "-" .. theZone.pollSize .. ": selected " .. pollSize, 30)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	if #availableFlags < 1 then 
+		if rndFlags.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++RND: RND " .. theZone.name .. " ran out of flags. aborting fire", 30)
+		end
+		
+		if theZone.doneFlag then 
+			local currVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.doneFlag)
+			trigger.action.setUserFlag(theZone.doneFlag, currVal + 1)
+		end
+		
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if rndFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: firing RND " .. theZone.name .. " with pollsize " .. pollSize .. " on " .. #availableFlags .. " set size", 30)
+	end
+	
+	for i=1, pollSize do 
+		-- check there are still flags left 
+		if #availableFlags < 1 then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++RND: no flags left in " .. theZone.name .. " in index " .. i, 30)
+			theZone.myFlags = {} 
+			if theZone.reshuffle then 
+				rndFlags.reshuffle(theZone)
+			end
+			return 
+		end
+		
+		-- select a flag, enforce uniqueness
+		local theFlagIndex = dcsCommon.smallRandom(#availableFlags)
+		
+		-- poll this flag and remove from available
+		local theFlag = table.remove(availableFlags,theFlagIndex)
+		
+		rndFlags.pollFlag(theFlag, theZone.method)
+		 
+	end
+	
+	-- remove if requested
+	if theZone.remove then 
+		theZone.myFlags = availableFlags
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- update 
+--
+function rndFlags.update()
+	-- call me in a second to poll triggers
+	timer.scheduleFunction(rndFlags.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1)
+	
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(rndFlags.rndGen) do
+		if aZone.triggerFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.triggerFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= aZone.lastTriggerValue
+			then 
+				if rndFlags.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++RND: triggering " .. aZone.name, 30)
+				end 
+				rndFlags.fire(aZone)
+				aZone.lastTriggerValue = currTriggerVal
+			end
+
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- start cycle: force all onStart to fire 
+--
+function rndFlags.startCycle()
+	for idx, theZone in pairs(rndFlags.rndGen) do
+		if theZone.onStart then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++RND: starting " .. theZone.name, 30)
+			rndFlags.fire(theZone)
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+
+--
+-- start module and read config 
+--
+function rndFlags.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("rndFlagsConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		if rndFlags.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("***RND: NO config zone!", 30)
+		end 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	rndFlags.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	
+	if rndFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("***RND: read config", 30)
+	end 
+end
+
+function rndFlags.start()
+	-- lib check
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck then 
+		trigger.action.outText("RNDFlags requires dcsCommon", 30)
+		return false 
+	end 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Random Flags", 
+		rndFlags.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read config 
+	rndFlags.readConfigZone()
+	
+	-- process RND Zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("RND")
+	
+	-- now create an rnd gen for each one and add them
+	-- to our watchlist 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		rndFlags.createRNDWithZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
+		rndFlags.addRNDZone(aZone) -- remember it so we can smoke it
+	end
+	
+	-- start cycle 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(rndFlags.startCycle, {}, timer.getTime() + 0.25)
+	
+	-- start update 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(rndFlags.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1)
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx random Flags v" .. rndFlags.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- let's go!
+if not rndFlags.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x RND Flags aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	rndFlags = nil 
+end
+
+--[[
+pulser / repeat until  
+--]]

modules/cargoSuper.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cargoSuper = {}
-cargoSuper.version = "1.1.0"
+cargoSuper.version = "1.1.1"
 --[[--
 version history
 	1.0.0 - initial version
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ version history
 		  - getAllCategoriesFor alias for getAllCargos 
 		  - getManifestForCategory alias for getManifestFor
 		  - removeAllMassFor()
+	1.1.1 - deleteMassObject corrected index bug 
 	
 CargoSuper manages weigth for a logical named unit. Weight can be added 
 to arbitrary categories like 'passengers', 'cargo' or "whatever". In order 
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ function cargoSuper.deleteMassObject(massObject)
 	else 
 		theName = massObject.name 
 	end 
-	cargoSuper.massObjects[massName] = nil
+	cargoSuper.massObjects[theName] = nil -- 1.1.1 corrected to theName from massName 
 end
 
 function cargoSuper.addMassObjectTo(name, category, theMassObject)

modules/cfxNDB.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxNDB = {}
-cfxNDB.version = "1.0.0"
+cfxNDB.version = "1.1.0"
 
 --[[--
 	cfxNDB:
@@ -12,10 +12,20 @@ cfxNDB.version = "1.0.0"
 	correctly if it's longer than the module's refresh and 
 	an even multiple of module's refresh, else it will be
 	refreshed at the next module update cycle 
+	
+	VERSION HISTORY
+	1.0.0 - initial version 
+	1.1.0 - on? flag 
+	      - off? flag 
+		  - ups at 1, decoupled update from refresh 
+		  - paused flag, paused handling 
+		  - startNDB() can accept string 
+		  - stopNDB() can accept string
+		  
 --]]--
 
 cfxNDB.verbose = false 
-cfxNDB.ups = 10 -- every 10 seconds 
+cfxNDB.ups = 1 -- once every 1 second 
 cfxNDB.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", 
 	"cfxZones",  
@@ -30,6 +40,18 @@ cfxNDB.ndbs = {} -- all ndbs
 --
 
 function cfxNDB.startNDB(theNDB)
+	if type(theNDB) == "string" then 
+		theNDB = cfxZones.getZoneByName(theNDB) 
+	end
+	
+	if not theNDB.freq then 
+		-- this zone is not an NDB. Exit 
+		if cfxNDB.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++ndb: start() -- " .. theNDB.name .. " is not a cfxNDB.", 30) 
+		end
+		return 
+	end
+	
 	theNDB.ndbRefreshTime = timer.getTime() + theNDB.ndbRefresh -- only used in linkedUnit, but set up anyway
 	-- generate new ID 
 	theNDB.ndbID = dcsCommon.uuid("ndb")
@@ -47,10 +69,31 @@ function cfxNDB.startNDB(theNDB)
 		end 
 		trigger.action.outText("+++ndb: started " .. theNDB.name .. dsc .. " at " .. theNDB.freq/1000000 .. "mod " .. modulation .. " with w=" .. theNDB.power .. " s=<" .. fileName .. ">", 30)
 	end
+	theNDB.paused = false 
+	
+	if cfxNDB.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++ndb: " .. theNDB.name .. " started", 30) 
+	end
 end
 
 function cfxNDB.stopNDB(theNDB)
+	if type(theNDB) == "string" then 
+		theNDB = cfxZones.getZoneByName(theNDB) 
+	end
+	
+	if not theNDB.freq then 
+		-- this zone is not an NDB. Exit 
+		if cfxNDB.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++ndb: stop() -- " .. theNDB.name .. " is not a cfxNDB.", 30) 
+		end
+		return 
+	end
+	
 	trigger.action.stopRadioTransmission(theNDB.ndbID)
+	theNDB.paused = true 
+	if cfxNDB.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++ndb: " .. theNDB.name .. " stopped", 30) 
+	end
 end
 
 function cfxNDB.createNDBWithZone(theZone)
@@ -65,8 +108,31 @@ function cfxNDB.createNDBWithZone(theZone)
 	-- when LARGER than module's refresh.
 	theZone.ndbRefresh = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "ndbRefresh", cfxNDB.refresh) -- only used if linked
 	theZone.ndbRefreshTime = timer.getTime() + theZone.ndbRefresh -- only used with linkedUnit, but set up nonetheless
+	
+	-- paused 
+	theZone.paused = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "paused", false) 
+	
+	-- on/offf query flags 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "on?") then 
+		theZone.onFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "on?", "none")
+	end
+	
+	if theZone.onFlag then 
+		theZone.onFlagVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.onFlag) -- save last value
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "off?") then 
+		theZone.offFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "off?", "none")
+	end
+	
+	if theZone.offFlag then 
+		theZone.offFlagVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.offFlag) -- save last value
+	end
+	
 	-- start it 
-	cfxNDB.startNDB(theZone)
+	if not theZone.paused then 
+		cfxNDB.startNDB(theZone)
+	end
 	
 	-- add it to my watchlist 
 	table.insert(cfxNDB.ndbs, theZone)
@@ -84,11 +150,32 @@ function cfxNDB.update()
 		-- moving with the linked unit 
 		if theNDB.linkedUnit then 
 			-- yupp, need to update
-			if now > theNDB.ndbRefreshTime then 
+			if (not theNDB.paused) and 
-				cfxNDB.stopNDB(theNDB)
+			(now > theNDB.ndbRefreshTime) then 
-				cfxNDB.startNDB(theNDB)
+				cfxNDB.stopNDB(theNDB) -- also pauses
+				cfxNDB.startNDB(theNDB) -- turns off pause 
 			end
 		end
+		
+		-- now check triggers to start/stop 
+		if theNDB.onFlagVal then 
+			-- see if this changed 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theNDB.onFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= theNDB.onFlagVal then
+				-- yupp, trigger start 
+				cfxNDB.startNDB(theNDB)
+				theNDB.onFlagVal = currTriggerVal
+			end			
+		end
+		
+		if theNDB.offFlagVal then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theNDB.offFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= theNDB.offFlagVal then
+				-- yupp, trigger start 
+				cfxNDB.stopNDB(theNDB)
+				theNDB.offFlagVal = currTriggerVal
+			end		
+		end
 	end
 end
 
@@ -137,4 +224,4 @@ end
 if not cfxNDB.start() then 
 	trigger.action.outText("cf/x NDB aborted: missing libraries", 30)
 	cfxNDB = nil 
-end
+end

modules/cfxObjectSpawnZones.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxObjectSpawnZones = {}
-cfxObjectSpawnZones.version = "1.1.3"
+cfxObjectSpawnZones.version = "1.1.4"
 cfxObjectSpawnZones.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
 	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ cfxObjectSpawnZones.ups = 1
 --   1.1.2 - autoRemove option re-installed 
 --         - added possibility to autoUnlink
 --   1.1.3 - ME-triggered flag via f? and triggerFlag 
+--   1.1.4 - activate?, pause? attributes 
 
 -- Object spawn zones have the following major uses:
 --  - dynamically spawn cargo 
@@ -84,6 +85,16 @@ function cfxObjectSpawnZones.createSpawner(inZone)
 		theSpawner.lastTriggerValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theSpawner.triggerFlag)
 	end
 	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "activate?") then 
+		theSpawner.activateFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "activate?", "none")
+		theSpawner.lastActivateValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theSpawner.activateFlag)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "pause?") then 
+		theSpawner.pauseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "pause?", "none")
+		theSpawner.lastPauseValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theSpawner.pauseFlag)
+	end
+	
 	--theSpawner.types = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(inZone, "types")
 	theSpawner.types = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "types", "White_Tyre")
 	local n = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(inZone, "count", 1) -- DO NOT CONFUSE WITH OWN PROPERTY COUNT for unique names!!!
@@ -410,6 +421,15 @@ function cfxObjectSpawnZones.update()
 		
 		local needsSpawn = cfxObjectSpawnZones.needsSpawning(spawner)
 		-- check if perhaps our watchtrigger causes spawn
+		if spawner.pauseFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(spawner.pauseFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= spawner.lastPauseValue then
+				spawner.paused = true  
+				needsSpawn = false 
+				spawner.lastPauseValue = currTriggerVal
+			end
+		end
+		
 		if spawner.triggerFlag then 
 			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(spawner.triggerFlag)
 			if currTriggerVal ~= spawner.lastTriggerValue then
@@ -418,6 +438,17 @@ function cfxObjectSpawnZones.update()
 			end
 		end		
 		
+		if spawner.activateFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(spawner.activateFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= spawner.lastActivateValue then
+				spawner.paused = false  
+				spawner.lastActivateValue = currTriggerVal
+			end
+		end
+
+		
+		
+		
 		if needsSpawn then 
 			cfxObjectSpawnZones.spawnWithSpawner(spawner)
 			if spawner.maxSpawns > 0 then 

modules/cfxSmokeZones.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxSmokeZone = {}
-cfxSmokeZone.version = "1.0.2" 
+cfxSmokeZone.version = "1.0.3" 
 cfxSmokeZone.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
 	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@ cfxSmokeZone.requiredLibs = {
  1.0.0 - initial version
  1.0.1 - added removeSmokeZone
  1.0.2 - added altitude
-
+ 1.0.3 - added paused attribute 
+       - added f? attribute --> onFlag 
+	   - broke out startSmoke 
+	   
 	SMOKE ZONES *** EXTENDS ZONES ***
 	keeps 'eternal' smoke up for any zone that has the 
 	'smoke' attribute 
@@ -34,27 +37,61 @@ function cfxSmokeZone.processSmokeZone(aZone)
 
 	aZone.smokeColor = theColor
 	aZone.smokeAlt = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "altitude", 1)
+	
+	-- paused 
+	aZone.paused = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "paused", false)
+	
+	-- f? query flags 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f?") then 
+		aZone.onFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f?", "none")
+	end
+	
+	if aZone.onFlag then 
+		aZone.onFlagVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.onFlag) -- save last value
+	end
 end
 
 function cfxSmokeZone.addSmokeZone(aZone)
 	table.insert(cfxSmokeZone.smokeZones, aZone)
 end
 
-function cfxSmokeZone.addSmokeZoneWithColor(aZone, aColor, anAltitude)
+function cfxSmokeZone.addSmokeZoneWithColor(aZone, aColor, anAltitude, paused, onFlag)
 	if not aColor then aColor = 0 end -- default green 
 	if not anAltitude then anAltitude = 5 end 
 	if not aZone then return end 
+	if not paused then paused = false end 
+	
 	aZone.smokeColor = aColor
 	aZone.smokeAlt = anAltitude
+	aZone.paused = paused 
+	
+	if onFlag then 
+		aZone.onFlag = onFlag 
+		aZone.onFlagVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(onFlag)
+	end
+	
 	cfxSmokeZone.addSmokeZone(aZone) -- add to update loop
-	cfxZones.markZoneWithSmoke(aZone, 0, 0, aZone.smokeColor, aZone.smokeAlt) -- smoke on!
+	if not paused then 
+		cfxSmokeZone.startSmoke(aZone)
+	end
+	
 end
 
-function cfxSmokeZone.removeSmokeZone(aZone)
+function cfxSmokeZone.startSmoke(aZone)
-	if not aZone then return end 
 	if type(aZone) == "string" then 
 		aZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(aZone) 
 	end
+	if not aZone then return end 
+	if not aZone.smokeColor then return end 
+	aZone.paused = false 
+	cfxZones.markZoneWithSmoke(aZone, 0, 0, aZone.smokeColor, aZone.smokeAlt)
+end
+
+function cfxSmokeZone.removeSmokeZone(aZone)
+	if type(aZone) == "string" then 
+		aZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(aZone) 
+	end
+	if not aZone then return end 
 	
 	-- now create new table 
 	local filtered = {}
@@ -73,8 +110,25 @@ function cfxSmokeZone.update()
 	
 	-- re-smoke all zones after delay
 	for idx, aZone in pairs(cfxSmokeZone.smokeZones) do 
-		if aZone.smokeColor then 
+		if not aZone.paused and aZone.smokeColor then 
-			cfxZones.markZoneWithSmoke(aZone, 0, 0, aZone.smokeColor, aZone.smokeAlt)
+			cfxSmokeZone.startSmoke(aZone)
+			
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+
+function cfxSmokeZone.checkFlags()
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxSmokeZone.checkFlags, {}, timer.getTime() + 1) -- every second 
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(cfxSmokeZone.smokeZones) do 
+		if aZone.paused and aZone.onFlagVal then 
+			-- see if this changed 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.onFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= aZone.onFlagVal then
+				-- yupp, trigger start 
+				cfxSmokeZone.startSmoke(aZone)
+				aZone.onFlagVal = currTriggerVal
+			end			
 		end
 	end
 end
@@ -89,15 +143,18 @@ function cfxSmokeZone.start()
 	-- collect all spawn zones 
 	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("smoke")
 	
-	-- now create a spawner for all, add them to the spawner updater, and spawn for all zones that are not
+	-- now create a smoker for all, add them to updater,
-	-- paused 
+	-- smoke all that aren't paused 
 	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
 		cfxSmokeZone.processSmokeZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
 		cfxSmokeZone.addSmokeZone(aZone) -- remember it so we can smoke it
 	end
 
 	-- start update loop
-	cfxSmokeZone.update()
+	cfxSmokeZone.update() -- also starts all unpaused 
+	
+	-- start check loop in one second 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxSmokeZone.checkFlags, {}, timer.getTime() + 1)
 	
 	-- say hi
 	trigger.action.outText("cfx Smoke Zones v" .. cfxSmokeZone.version .. " started.", 30)

modules/cfxSpawnZones.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxSpawnZones = {}
-cfxSpawnZones.version = "1.5.1"
+cfxSpawnZones.version = "1.5.2"
 cfxSpawnZones.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
 	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ cfxSpawnZones.verbose = false
 --         - spawnWithSpawner made string compatible
 --   1.5.1 - relaxed baseName and default to dcsCommon.uuid()
 --         - verbose 
+--   1.5.2 - activate?, pause? flag 
 --
 -- new version requires cfxGroundTroops, where they are 
 --
@@ -139,6 +140,16 @@ function cfxSpawnZones.createSpawner(inZone)
 		theSpawner.lastTriggerValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theSpawner.triggerFlag)
 	end
 	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "activate?") then 
+		theSpawner.activateFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "activate?", "none")
+		theSpawner.lastActivateValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theSpawner.activateFlag)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "pause?") then 
+		theSpawner.pauseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "pause?", "none")
+		theSpawner.lastPauseValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theSpawner.pauseFlag)
+	end
+	
 	theSpawner.types = cfxZones.getZoneProperty(inZone, "types")
 	--theSpawner.owner = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(inZone, "owner", 0)
 	-- synthesize types * typeMult
@@ -407,7 +418,16 @@ function cfxSpawnZones.update()
 		-- is master zone still alinged with me?
 		needsSpawn = needsSpawn and cfxSpawnZones.verifySpawnOwnership(spawner)
 
-		-- check if perhaps our watchtrigger causes spawn
+		-- check if perhaps our watchtriggers causes spawn
+		if spawner.pauseFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(spawner.pauseFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= spawner.lastPauseValue then
+				spawner.paused = true  
+				needsSpawn = false
+				spawner.lastPauseValue = currTriggerVal
+			end
+		end
+		
 		if spawner.triggerFlag then 
 			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(spawner.triggerFlag)
 			if currTriggerVal ~= spawner.lastTriggerValue then
@@ -415,6 +435,16 @@ function cfxSpawnZones.update()
 				spawner.lastTriggerValue = currTriggerVal
 			end
 		end
+		
+		if spawner.activateFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(spawner.activateFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= spawner.lastActivateValue then
+				spawner.paused = false  
+				spawner.lastActivateValue = currTriggerVal
+			end
+		end
+
+		
 				
 		-- if we get here, and needsSpawn is still set, we go ahead and spawn
 		if needsSpawn then 

modules/cfxZones.lua

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 --
 
 cfxZones = {}
-cfxZones.version = "2.5.1"
+cfxZones.version = "2.5.2"
 --[[-- VERSION HISTORY
  - 2.2.4 - getCoalitionFromZoneProperty
          - getStringFromZoneProperty
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@ cfxZones.version = "2.5.1"
  - 2.4.12 - getStringFromZoneProperty
  - 2.5.0  - harden getZoneProperty and all getPropertyXXXX
  - 2.5.1  - markZoneWithSmoke supports alt attribute 
+ - 2.5.2  - getPoint also writes through to zone itself for optimization
+          - new method getPositiveRangeFromZoneProperty(theZone, theProperty, default)
  
 --]]--
 cfxZones.verbose = true
@@ -1100,6 +1102,45 @@ function cfxZones.getMinMaxFromZoneProperty(theZone, theProperty)
 	
 end
 
+function cfxZones.getPositiveRangeFromZoneProperty(theZone, theProperty, default)
+	-- reads property as string, and interprets as range 'a-b'. 
+	-- if not a range but single number, returns both for upper and lower 
+	--trigger.action.outText("***Zne: enter with <" .. theZone.name .. ">: range for property <" .. theProperty .. ">!", 30)
+	if not default then default = 0 end 
+	local lowerBound = default
+	local upperBound = default 
+	
+	local rangeString = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, theProperty, "")
+	if dcsCommon.containsString(rangeString, "-") then 
+		local theRange = dcsCommon.splitString(rangeString, "-")
+		lowerBound = theRange[1]
+		lowerBound = tonumber(lowerBound)
+		upperBound = theRange[2]
+		upperBound = tonumber(upperBound)
+		if lowerBound and upperBound then
+			-- swap if wrong order
+			if lowerBound > upperBound then 
+				local temp = upperBound
+				upperBound = lowerBound
+				lowerBound = temp 
+			end
+--			if rndFlags.verbose then 
+--			trigger.action.outText("+++Zne: detected range <" .. lowerBound .. ", " .. upperBound .. ">", 30)
+--			end
+		else
+			-- bounds illegal
+			trigger.action.outText("+++Zne: illegal range  <" .. rangeString .. ">, using " .. default .. "-" .. default, 30)
+			lowerBound = default
+			upperBound = default 
+		end
+	else 
+		upperBound = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, theProperty, default) -- between pulses 
+		lowerBound = upperBound
+	end
+--	trigger.action.outText("+++Zne: returning <" .. lowerBound .. ", " .. upperBound .. ">", 30)
+	return lowerBound, upperBound
+end
+
 function cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, theProperty) 
 	return cfxZones.getZoneProperty(theZone, theProperty) ~= nil 
 end
@@ -1223,7 +1264,7 @@ end
 --
 -- requires that readFromDCS has been done
 --
-function cfxZones.getPoint(aZone) -- always works, wven linked, point can be reused 
+function cfxZones.getPoint(aZone) -- always works, even linked, point can be reused 
 	if aZone.linkedUnit then 
 		local theUnit = aZone.linkedUnit
 		-- has a link. is link existing?
@@ -1237,6 +1278,8 @@ function cfxZones.getPoint(aZone) -- always works, wven linked, point can be reu
 	thePos.x = aZone.point.x
 	thePos.y = 0 -- aZone.y 
 	thePos.z = aZone.point.z
+	-- since we are at it, update the zone as well
+	aZone.point = thePos 
 	return thePos 
 end
 

modules/dcsCommon.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 dcsCommon = {}
-dcsCommon.version = "2.5.1"
+dcsCommon.version = "2.5.2"
 --[[-- VERSION HISTORY
  2.2.6 - compassPositionOfARelativeToB
 	   - clockPositionOfARelativeToB
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.5.1"
  2.5.0 - "Line" formation with one unit places unit at center 	
  2.5.1 - vNorm(a)  
  2.5.1 - added SA-18 Igla manpad to unitIsInfantry()
+ 2.5.2 - added copyArray method
+	   - corrected heading in createStaticObjectData
 --]]--
 
 	-- dcsCommon is a library of common lua functions 
@@ -825,7 +827,14 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.5.1"
 		return copy
 	end
 
-
+	function dcsCommon.copyArray(inArray)
+		-- warning: this is a ref copy!
+		local theCopy = {}
+		for idx, element in pairs(inArray) do 
+			table.insert(theCopy, element)
+		end
+		return theCopy 
+	end
 --
 -- 
 -- S P A W N I N G 
@@ -1355,7 +1364,7 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.5.1"
 		-- now loop and create a unit for each table
 		local num = 1
 		for key, theType in pairs(theUnitTypes) do 
---			trigger.action.outText("creating unit " .. name .. "-" .. num, 30)
+			-- trigger.action.outText("+++dcsC: creating unit " .. name .. "-" .. num .. ": " .. theType, 30)
 			local aUnit = dcsCommon.createGroundUnitData(name .. "-"..num, theType, false)
 			dcsCommon.addUnitToGroupData(aUnit, theNewGroup, 0, 0)
 			num = num + 1
@@ -1478,7 +1487,7 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.5.1"
 		if not cargo then cargo = false end 
 		objType = dcsCommon.trim(objType) 
 		
-		staticObj.heading = 0
+		staticObj.heading = heading
 		-- staticObj.groupId = 0
 		-- staticObj.shape_name = shape -- e.g. H-Windsock_RW
 		staticObj.type = objType  -- e.g. Windsock

modules/pulseFlags.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,268 @@
+pulseFlags = {}
+pulseFlags.version = "1.0.0"
+pulseFlags.verbose = false 
+pulseFlags.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+--[[--
+	Pulse Flags: DML module to regularly change a flag 
+	
+	Copyright 2022 by Christian Franz and cf/x 
+	
+	Version History
+	- 1.0.0 Initial version 
+	
+--]]--
+
+pulseFlags.pulses = {}
+
+function pulseFlags.addPulse(aZone)
+	table.insert(pulseFlags.pulses, aZone)
+end
+
+--
+-- create a pulse 
+--
+
+function pulseFlags.createPulseWithZone(theZone)
+	theZone.flag = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "flag!", -1) -- the flag to pulse 
+
+	-- time can be number, or number-number range
+	theZone.minTime, theZone.time = cfxZones.getPositiveRangeFromZoneProperty(theZone, "time", 1)
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("***PulF: zone <" .. theZone.name .. "> time is <".. theZone.minTime ..", " .. theZone.time .. "!", 30)
+	
+	theZone.pulses = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "pulses", -1)
+	theZone.pulsesLeft = 0 -- will start new cycle 
+		
+	-- trigger flags 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "activate?") then 
+		theZone.activateFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "activate?", "none")
+		theZone.lastActivateValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.activateFlag) -- save last value
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "pause?") then 
+		theZone.pauseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "pause?", "none")
+		theZone.lastPauseValue = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.pauseFlag) -- save last value
+	end
+	
+	theZone.paused = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "paused", false)
+	
+	theZone.method = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "method", "flip")
+	
+	-- done flag 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "done+1") then 
+		theZone.doneFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "done+1", "none")
+	end
+
+	theZone.pulsing = false -- not running 
+	
+end
+
+--
+-- update 
+-- 
+function pulseFlags.pollFlag(theFlag, method) 
+	if pulseFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++PulF: polling flag " .. theFlag .. " with " .. method, 30)
+	end 
+	
+	method = method:lower()
+	local currVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theFlag)
+	if method == "inc" or method == "f+1" then 
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, currVal + 1)
+		
+	elseif method == "dec" or method == "f-1" then 
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, currVal - 1)
+		
+	elseif method == "off" or method == "f=0" then 
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, 0)
+		
+	elseif method == "flip" or method == "xor" then 
+		if currVal ~= 0 then 
+			trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, 0)
+		else 
+			trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, 1)
+		end
+		
+	else 
+		if method ~= "on" and method ~= "f=1" then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++PulF: unknown method <" .. method .. "> - using 'on'", 30)
+		end
+		-- default: on.
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(theFlag, 1)
+	end
+	
+	local newVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theFlag)
+	if pulseFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++PulF: flag <" .. theFlag .. "> changed from " .. currVal .. " to " .. newVal, 30)
+	end 
+end
+
+
+function pulseFlags.doPulse(args) 
+	local theZone = args[1]
+	-- check if we have been paused. if so, simply 
+	-- exit with no new schedule 
+	if theZone.paused then 
+		theZone.pulsing = false 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	-- do a poll on flags 
+	pulseFlags.pollFlag(theZone.flag, theZone.method) 
+	
+	-- decrease count
+	if theZone.pulses > 0 then
+		-- only do this if ending
+		theZone.pulsesLeft = theZone.pulsesLeft - 1
+		
+		-- see if we are done 
+		if theZone.pulsesLeft < 1 then 
+			-- increment done flag if set 
+			if theZone.doneFlag then 
+				local currVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.doneFlag)
+				trigger.action.setUserFlag(theZone.doneFlag, currVal + 1)
+			end
+			if pulseFlags.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("***PulF: pulse <" .. theZone.name .. "> ended!", 30)
+			end 
+			theZone.pulsing = false 
+			theZone.paused = true 
+			return 
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- if we get here, we'll do another one soon
+	-- refresh pulse
+	local delay = theZone.time
+	if theZone.minTime > 0 and theZone.minTime < delay then 
+		-- we want a randomized from time from minTime .. delay
+		local varPart = delay - theZone.minTime + 1
+		varPart = dcsCommon.smallRandom(varPart) - 1
+		delay = theZone.minTime + varPart
+	end
+	
+	--trigger.action.outText("***PulF: pulse <" .. theZone.name .. "> scheduled in ".. delay .."!", 30)
+	
+	-- schedule in delay time 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(pulseFlags.doPulse, args, timer.getTime() + delay)
+	if pulseFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++PulF: pulse <" .. theZone.name .. "> rescheduled in " .. delay, 30)
+	end 
+end
+ 
+
+-- start new pulse, will reset 
+function pulseFlags.startNewPulse(theZone)
+	theZone.pulsesLeft = theZone.pulses
+	local args = {theZone}
+	theZone.pulsing = true 
+	if pulseFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++PulF: starting pulse <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+	end 
+	pulseFlags.doPulse(args) 
+end
+
+function pulseFlags.update()
+	-- call me in a second to poll triggers
+	timer.scheduleFunction(pulseFlags.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1)
+	
+	for idx, aZone in pairs(pulseFlags.pulses) do
+		-- see if pulse is running 
+		if aZone.pulsing then 
+			-- this zone has a pulse and has scheduled 
+			-- a new pulse, nothing to do
+		
+		else 
+			-- this zone has not scheduled a new pulse 
+			-- let's see why 
+			if aZone.paused then 
+				-- ok, zone is paused. all clear 
+			else 
+				-- zone isn't paused. we need to start the zone 
+				pulseFlags.startNewPulse(aZone)
+			end
+		end
+		
+		-- see if we got a pause or activate command
+		if aZone.activateFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.activateFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= aZone.lastActivateValue
+			then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++PulF: activating <" .. aZone.name .. ">", 30)
+				aZone.lastActivateValue = currTriggerVal
+				theZone.paused = false -- will start anew 
+			end
+		end
+		
+		if aZone.pauseFlag then 
+			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.pauseFlag)
+			if currTriggerVal ~= aZone.lastPauseValue
+			then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++PulF: pausing <" .. aZone.name .. ">", 30)
+				aZone.lastPauseValue = currTriggerVal
+				theZone.paused = true  -- will start anew 
+			end
+		end
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- start module and read config 
+--
+function pulseFlags.readConfigZone()
+	-- note: must match exactly!!!!
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("pulseFlagsConfig") 
+	if not theZone then 
+		if pulseFlags.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++PulF: NO config zone!", 30)
+		end 
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	pulseFlags.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	
+	if pulseFlags.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++PulF: read config", 30)
+	end 
+end
+
+function pulseFlags.start()
+	-- lib check
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck then 
+		trigger.action.outText("PulseFlags requires dcsCommon", 30)
+		return false 
+	end 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Pulse Flags", 
+		pulseFlags.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read config 
+	pulseFlags.readConfigZone()
+	
+	-- process RND Zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("pulse")
+	
+	-- now create a pulse gen for each one and add them
+	-- to our watchlist 
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		pulseFlags.createPulseWithZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
+		pulseFlags.addPulse(aZone) -- remember it so we can pulse it
+	end
+	
+	-- start update in 1 second 
+	--pulseFlags.update()
+	timer.scheduleFunction(pulseFlags.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1)
+	
+	trigger.action.outText("cfx Pulse Flags v" .. pulseFlags.version .. " started.", 30)
+	return true 
+end
+
+-- let's go!
+if not pulseFlags.start() then 
+	trigger.action.outText("cf/x Pulse Flags aborted: missing libraries", 30)
+	pulseFlags = nil 
+end