cloneZones = {}
	cloneZones.version = "1.4.8"
	cloneZones.verbose = false  
	cloneZones.requiredLibs = {
		"dcsCommon", -- always
		"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
		"cfxMX", 
	}
	-- groupTracker is OPTIONAL! and required only with trackWith attribute

	cloneZones.cloners = {}
	cloneZones.callbacks = {}
	cloneZones.unitXlate = {}
	cloneZones.groupXlate = {} -- used to translate original groupID to cloned. only holds last spawned group id 
	cloneZones.uniqueCounter = 9200000 -- we start group numbering here 
	--[[--
		Clones Groups from ME mission data
		Copyright (c) 2022 by Christian Franz and cf/x AG
		
		Version History
		1.0.0 - initial version 
		1.0.1 - preWipe attribute
		1.1.0 - support for static objects
			  - despawn? attribute 
		1.1.1 - despawnAll: isExist guard 
			  - map in? to f? 
		1.2.0 - Lua API integration: callbacks 
			  - groupXlate struct
			  - unitXlate struct 
			  - resolveReferences 
			  - getGroupsInZone rewritten for data 
			  - static resolve 
			  - linkUnit resolve 
			  - clone? synonym
			  - empty! and method attributes
		1.3.0 - DML flag upgrade 
		1.3.1 - groupTracker interface 
			  - trackWith: attribute
		1.4.0 - Watchflags 
		1.4.1 - trackWith: accepts list of trackers 
		1.4.2 - onstart delays for 0.1 s to prevent static stacking
			  - turn bug for statics (bug in dcsCommon, resolved)
		1.4.3 - embark/disembark now works with cloners 
		1.4.4 - removed some debugging verbosity 
		1.4.5 - randomizeLoc, rndLoc keyword
		      - cargo manager integration - pass cargo objects when present
		1.4.6 - removed some verbosity for spawned aircraft with airfields on their routes
		1.4.7 - DML watchflag and DML Flag polish, method-->cloneMethod
		1.4.8 - added 'wipe?' synonym 
		
		
	--]]--

	--
	-- adding / removing from list 
	--
	function cloneZones.addCloneZone(theZone)
		table.insert(cloneZones.cloners, theZone)
	end

	function cloneZones.getCloneZoneByName(aName) 
		for idx, aZone in pairs(cloneZones.cloners) do 
			if aName == aZone.name then return aZone end 
		end
		if cloneZones.verbose then 
			trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: no clone with name <" .. aName ..">", 30)
		end 
		
		return nil 
	end

	--
	-- callbacks 
	--

	function cloneZones.addCallback(theCallback)
		if not theCallback then return end 
		table.insert(cloneZones.callbacks, theCallback)
	end

	-- reasons for callback 
	-- "will despawn group" - args is the group about to be despawned
	-- "did spawn group" -- args is group that was spawned
	-- "will despawn static"
	-- "did spawn static"
	-- "spawned" -- completed spawn cycle. args contains .groups and .statics spawned 
	-- "empty" -- all spawns have been killed, args is empty 
	-- "wiped" -- preWipe executed 
	-- "<none" -- something went wrong 

	function cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(theZone, reason, args)
		if not theZone then return end 
		if not reason then reason = "<none>" end 
		if not args then args = {} end 
		
		-- invoke anyone who wants to know that a group 
		-- of people was rescued.
		for idx, cb in pairs(cloneZones.callbacks) do 
			cb(theZone, reason, args)
		end
	end

	-- group translation orig id 

	--
	-- reading zones
	--
	function cloneZones.partOfGroupDataInZone(theZone, theUnits)
		local zP = cfxZones.getPoint(theZone)
		zP.y = 0
		
		for idx, aUnit in pairs(theUnits) do 
			local uP = {}
			uP.x = aUnit.x 
			uP.y = 0
			uP.z = aUnit.y -- !! y-z
			local dist = dcsCommon.dist(uP, zP)
			if dist <= theZone.radius then return true  end 
		end 
		return false 
	end

	function cloneZones.allGroupsInZoneByData(theZone) 
		local theGroupsInZone = {}
		local radius = theZone.radius 
		for groupName, groupData in pairs(cfxMX.groupDataByName) do 
			if groupData.units then 
				if cloneZones.partOfGroupDataInZone(theZone, groupData.units) then 
					theGroup = Group.getByName(groupName)
					table.insert(theGroupsInZone, theGroup)
				end
			end
		end
		return theGroupsInZone
	end

	function cloneZones.createClonerWithZone(theZone) -- has "Cloner"
		if cloneZones.verbose then 
			trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: new cloner " .. theZone.name, 30)
		end

		local localZones = cloneZones.allGroupsInZoneByData(theZone)  
		local localObjects = cfxZones.allStaticsInZone(theZone)
		theZone.cloner = true -- this is a cloner zoner 
		theZone.mySpawns = {}
		theZone.myStatics = {}
		theZone.origin = cfxZones.getPoint(theZone) -- save reference point for all groupVectors 
		
		-- source tells us which template to use. it can be the following:
		-- nothing (no attribute) - then we use whatever groups are in zone to 
		-- spawn as template 
		-- name of another spawner that provides the template 
		-- we can't simply use a group name as we lack the reference 
		-- location for delta 
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "source") then 
			theZone.source = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "source", "<none>")
			if theZone.source == "<none>" then theZone.source = nil end 
		end 
		
		if not theZone.source then 
			theZone.cloneNames = {} -- names of the groups. only present in template spawners
			theZone.staticNames = {} -- names of all statics. only present in templates
			
			for idx, aGroup in pairs(localZones) do
				local gName = aGroup:getName()
				if gName then 
					table.insert(theZone.cloneNames, gName)
					table.insert(theZone.mySpawns, aGroup) -- collect them for initial despawn
					-- now get group data and save a lookup for 
					-- resolving internal references 
					local rawData, cat, ctry = cfxMX.getGroupFromDCSbyName(gName)
					local origID = rawData.groupId
	--				cloneZones.templateGroups[gName] = origID 
	--				cloneZones.templateGroupsReverse[origID] = gName
				end 	
			end
			
			for idx, aStatic in pairs (localObjects) do 
				local sName = aStatic:getName()
				if sName then 
					table.insert(theZone.staticNames, sName)
					table.insert(theZone.myStatics, aStatic)
				end
			end
			
			cloneZones.despawnAll(theZone) 
			if (#theZone.cloneNames + #theZone.staticNames)	< 1 then 
				if cloneZones.verbose then 
					trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: WARNING - Template in clone zone <" .. theZone.name .. "> is empty", 30)
				end 
				theZone.cloneNames = nil
				theZone.staticNames = nil 
			end
			if cloneZones.verbose then 
				trigger.action.outText(theZone.name .. " clone template saved", 30)
			end
		end
		
		-- watchflag:
		-- triggerMethod
		theZone.cloneTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "triggerMethod", "change")

		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "cloneTriggerMethod") then 
			theZone.cloneTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cloneTriggerMethod", "change")
		end
		
		-- f? and spawn? and other synonyms map to the same 
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "f?") then 
			theZone.spawnFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "f?", "none")
		end
		
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "in?") then 
			theZone.spawnFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "in?", "none")
		end
		
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "spawn?") then 
			theZone.spawnFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "spawn?", "none")
		end
		
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "clone?") then 
			theZone.spawnFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "clone?", "none")
		end
		
		if theZone.spawnFlag then 
			theZone.lastSpawnValue = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.spawnFlag, theZone)
		end
		
		-- deSpawn?
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "deSpawn?") then 
			theZone.deSpawnFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "deSpawn?", "none")
		end
		
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "deClone?") then 
			theZone.deSpawnFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "deClone?", "none")
		end
		
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "wipe?") then 
			theZone.deSpawnFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "wipe?", "none")
		end
		
		if theZone.deSpawnFlag then 
			theZone.lastDeSpawnValue = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.deSpawnFlag, theZone)
		end
		
		theZone.onStart = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "onStart", false)
		
		theZone.moveRoute = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "moveRoute", false)
		
		theZone.preWipe = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "preWipe", false)
		
		-- to be deprecated
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "empty+1") then 
			theZone.emptyFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "empty+1", "<None>") -- note string on number default
		end
		
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "empty!") then 
			theZone.emptyBangFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "empty!", "<None>") -- note string on number default
		end
		
		theZone.cloneMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cloneMethod", "inc")
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "method") then 
			theZone.cloneMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "method", "inc") -- note string on number default
		end
		
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "masterOwner") then 
			theZone.masterOwner = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "masterOwner", "<none>")
		end
		
		theZone.turn = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "turn", 0)
		
		-- interface to groupTracker 
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "trackWith:") then 
			theZone.trackWith = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "trackWith:", "<None>")
		end

		-- randomized locations on spawn 
		theZone.rndLoc = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "randomizedLoc", false)
		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "rndLoc") then 
			theZone.rndLoc = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "rndLoc", false)
		end 
		if theZone.rndLoc and theZone.verbose then 
			trigger.action.outText("+++ rndloc on for " .. theZone.name, 30)
		end 
		
		-- we end with clear plate 
	end

	-- 
	-- spawning, despawning
	--

	function cloneZones.despawnAll(theZone) 
		if cloneZones.verbose then 
			trigger.action.outText("wiping <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
		end 
		for idx, aGroup in pairs(theZone.mySpawns) do 
			--trigger.action.outText("++clnZ: despawn all " .. aGroup.name, 30)
			
			if aGroup:isExist() then 
				cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(theZone, "will despawn group", aGroup)
				Group.destroy(aGroup)
			end 
		end
		for idx, aStatic in pairs(theZone.myStatics) do 
			-- warning! may be mismatch because we are looking at groups
			-- not objects. let's see
			if aStatic:isExist() then 
				if cloneZones.verbose then 
					trigger.action.outText("Destroying static <" .. aStatic:getName() .. ">", 30)
				end 
				cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(theZone, "will despawn static", aStatic)
				Object.destroy(aStatic) -- we don't aStatio:destroy() to find out what it is
			end 
		end
		theZone.mySpawns = {}
		theZone.myStatics = {}
	end

	function cloneZones.updateLocationsInGroupData(theData, zoneDelta, adjustAllWaypoints)
		
		-- remember that zoneDelta's [z] modifies theData's y!!
		theData.x = theData.x + zoneDelta.x 
		theData.y = theData.y + zoneDelta.z -- !!!
		local units = theData.units 
		for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
			aUnit.x = aUnit.x + zoneDelta.x 
			aUnit.y = aUnit.y + zoneDelta.z -- again!!!!
		end
		-- now modifiy waypoints. we ALWAYS adjust the  
		-- first waypoint, but only all others if asked 
		-- to 
		local theRoute = theData.route 
		if theRoute then 
			local thePoints = theRoute.points 
			if thePoints and #thePoints > 0 then 
				if adjustAllWaypoints then  
					for i=1, #thePoints do 
						thePoints[i].x = thePoints[i].x + zoneDelta.x 
						thePoints[i].y = thePoints[i].y + zoneDelta.z -- (!!)

					end
				else 
					-- only first point 
					thePoints[1].x = thePoints[1].x + zoneDelta.x 
					thePoints[1].y = thePoints[1].y + zoneDelta.z -- (!!)
				end 
				
				-- if there is an airodrome id given in first waypoint, 
				-- adjust for closest location 
				local firstPoint = thePoints[1]
				if firstPoint.airdromeId then 
--					trigger.action.outText("first: airdrome adjust for " .. theData.name .. " now is " .. firstPoint.airdromeId, 30)
					local loc = {}
					loc.x = firstPoint.x
					loc.y = 0
					loc.z = firstPoint.y 
					local bestAirbase = dcsCommon.getClosestAirbaseTo(loc)
					firstPoint.airdromeId = bestAirbase:getID()
--					trigger.action.outText("first: adjusted to " .. firstPoint.airdromeId, 30)
				end
				
				-- adjust last point (landing)
				if #thePoints > 1 then 
					local lastPoint = thePoints[#thePoints]
					if firstPoint.airdromeId then 
--						trigger.action.outText("last: airdrome adjust for " .. theData.name .. " now is " .. lastPoint.airdromeId, 30)
						local loc = {}
						loc.x = lastPoint.x
						loc.y = 0
						loc.z = lastPoint.y 
						local bestAirbase = dcsCommon.getClosestAirbaseTo(loc)
						lastPoint.airdromeId = bestAirbase:getID()
--						trigger.action.outText("last: adjusted to " .. lastPoint.airdromeId, 30)
					end
				
				end
			end
		end
	end
	function cloneZones.uniqueID()
		local uid = cloneZones.uniqueCounter
		cloneZones.uniqueCounter = cloneZones.uniqueCounter + 1
		return uid 
	end

	function cloneZones.uniqueNameGroupData(theData)  
		theData.name = dcsCommon.uuid(theData.name)
		local units = theData.units 
		for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
			aUnit.name = dcsCommon.uuid(aUnit.name)
		end 
	end 

	function cloneZones.uniqueIDGroupData(theData)
		theData.groupId = cloneZones.uniqueID()
	end

	function cloneZones.uniqueIDUnitData(theData)
		if not theData then return end 
		if not theData.units then return end 
		local units = theData.units 
		for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
			aUnit.CZorigID = aUnit.unitId 
			aUnit.unitId = cloneZones.uniqueID()
			aUnit.CZTargetID = aUnit.unitId
		end 

	end

	function cloneZones.resolveOwnership(spawnZone, ctry)
		if not spawnZone.masterOwner then return ctry end 

		local masterZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName(spawnZone.masterOwner)
		if not masterZone then 
			trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: cloner " .. spawnZone.name .. " could not fine master owner <" .. spawnZone.masterOwner .. ">", 30)
			return ctry 
		end
		
		if not masterZone.owner then 
			return ctry 
		end
		
		ctry = dcsCommon.getACountryForCoalition(masterZone.owner)
		return ctry 
	end

	--
	-- resolve external group references 
	-- 

	function cloneZones.resolveGroupID(gID, rawData, dataTable, reason)
		if not reason then reason = "<default>" end 
		
		local resolvedID = gID
		local myOName = rawData.CZorigName
		local groupName = cfxMX.groupNamesByID[gID]
		--trigger.action.outText("Resolve for <" .. myOName .. "> the external ID: " .. gID .. " --> " .. groupName .. " for <" .. reason.. "> task", 30)
		
		-- first, check if this an internal reference, i.e. inside the same 
		-- zone template 
		for idx, otherData in pairs(dataTable) do
			-- look in own data table 
			if otherData.CZorigName == groupName then 
				-- using cfxMX for clarity only (name access)
				resolvedID = otherData.CZTargetID
				--trigger.action.outText("resolved (internally) " .. gID .. " to " .. resolvedID, 30)
				return resolvedID
			end
		end
		
		-- now check if we have spawned this before 
		local lastClone = cloneZones.groupXlate[gID]
		if lastClone then 
			resolvedID = lastClone
			--trigger.action.outText("resolved (EXT) " .. gID .. " to " .. resolvedID, 30)
			return resolvedID	
		end
		
		-- if we get here, reference is not to a cloned item 
		--trigger.action.outText("resolved " .. gID .. " to " .. resolvedID, 30)
		return resolvedID
	end 

	function cloneZones.resolveUnitID(uID, rawData, dataTable, reason)
	-- also resolves statics as they share ID with units 
		local resolvedID = uID
		--trigger.action.outText("Resolve reference to unitId <" .. uID .. "> for <" .. reason.. "> task", 30)
		
		-- first, check if this an internal reference, i.e. inside the same 
		-- zone template 
		for idx, otherData in pairs(dataTable) do
			-- iterate all units
			for idy, aUnit in pairs(otherData.units) do 
				if aUnit.CZorigID == uID then 
					resolvedID = aUnit.CZTargetID
					--trigger.action.outText("resolved (internally) " .. uID .. " to " .. resolvedID, 30)
					return resolvedID
				end
			end		

		end
		
		-- now check if we have spawned this before 
		local lastClone = cloneZones.unitXlate[uID]
		if lastClone then 
			resolvedID = lastClone
			--trigger.action.outText("resolved (U-EXT) " .. uID .. " to " .. resolvedID, 30)
			return resolvedID	
		end
		
		-- if we get here, reference is not to a cloned item 
		--trigger.action.outText("resolved G-" .. uID .. " to " .. resolvedID, 30)
		return resolvedID
	end 

	function cloneZones.resolveStaticLinkUnit(uID)
		local resolvedID = uID
		local lastClone = cloneZones.unitXlate[uID]
		if lastClone then 
			resolvedID = lastClone
			--trigger.action.outText("resolved (U-EXT) " .. uID .. " to " .. resolvedID, 30)
			return resolvedID	
		end
		return resolvedID
	end

	function cloneZones.resolveWPReferences(rawData, theZone, dataTable)
	-- check to see if we really need data table, as we have theZone 
	-- perform a check of route for group or unit references 
		if not rawData then return end 
		local myOName = rawData.CZorigName 

		if rawData.route and rawData.route.points then 
			local points = rawData.route.points 
			for idx, aPoint in pairs(points) do 
				-- check if there is a link unit here and resolve 
				if aPoint.linkUnit then 
					local gID = aPoint.linkUnit
					local resolvedID = cloneZones.resolveUnitID(gID, rawData, dataTable, "linkUnit")
					aPoint.linkUnit = resolvedID
					--trigger.action.outText("resolved link unit to "..resolvedID .. " for " .. rawData.name, 30)
				end
				
				-- iterate all tasks assigned to point
				local task = aPoint.task
				if task and task.params and task.params.tasks then
					local tasks = task.params.tasks 
					for idy, taskData in pairs(tasks) do
						-- resolve group references in TASKS
						if taskData.id and taskData.params and taskData.params.groupId
						then 
							-- we resolve group reference 
							local gID = taskData.params.groupId
							local resolvedID = cloneZones.resolveGroupID(gID, rawData, dataTable, taskData.id)
							taskData.params.groupId = resolvedID
							
						end
						
						-- resolve EMBARK/DISEMBARK groupd references 
						if taskData.id and taskData.params and taskData.params.groupsForEmbarking
						then 
							-- build new groupsForEmbarking
							local embarkers = taskData.params.groupsForEmbarking
							local newEmbarkers = {}
							for grpIdx, gID in pairs(embarkers) do 
								local resolvedID = cloneZones.resolveGroupID(gID, rawData, dataTable, "embark")
								table.insert(newEmbarkers, resolvedID)
								trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: resolved embark group id <" .. gID .. "> to <" .. resolvedID .. ">", 30)
							end
							-- replace old with new table
							taskData.params.groupsForEmbarking = newEmbarkers
						end
						
						-- resolve DISTRIBUTION (embark) unit/group refs 
						if taskData.id and taskData.params and taskData.params.distribution then 
							local newDist = {} -- will replace old 
							for aUnit, aList in pairs(taskData.params.distribution) do 
								-- first, translate this unit's number 
								local newUnit = cloneZones.resolveUnitID(aUnit, rawData, dataTable, "transportID")
								local embarkers = aList 
								local newEmbarkers = {}
								for grpIdx, gID in pairs(embarkers) do 
									-- translate old to new 
									local resolvedID = cloneZones.resolveGroupID(gID, rawData, dataTable, "embark")
									table.insert(newEmbarkers, resolvedID)
									trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: resolved distribute unit/group id <" .. aUnit .. "/" .. gID .. "> to <".. newUnit .. "/" .. resolvedID .. ">", 30)
								end
								-- store this as new group for 
								-- translated transportID
								newDist[newUnit] = newEmbarkers
							end
							-- replace old distribution with new 
							taskData.params.distribution = newDist 
							trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: rebuilt distribution", 30)
						end
						
						-- resolve selectedTransport unit reference 
						if taskData.id and taskData.params and taskData.params.selectedTransportt then
							local tID = taskData.params.selectedTransport
							local newTID = cloneZones.resolveUnitID(tID, rawData, dataTable, "transportID")
							taskData.params.selectedTransport = newTID
							rigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: resolved selected transport <" .. tID .. "> to <" .. newTID .. ">", 30)
						end
						
						-- note: we may need to process x and y as well
						
						-- resolve UNIT references in TASKS
						if taskData.id and taskData.params and taskData.params.unitId
						then 
							-- we don't look for keywords, we simply resolve 
							local uID = taskData.params.unitId 
							local resolvedID = cloneZones.resolveUnitID(uID, rawData, dataTable, taskData.id)
							taskData.params.unitId = resolvedID
						end
						
						-- resolve unit references in ACTIONS
						if taskData.params and taskData.params.action and 
						taskData.params.action.params and taskData.params.action.params.unitId then 
							local uID = taskData.params.action.params.unitId 
							local resolvedID = cloneZones.resolveUnitID(uID, rawData, dataTable, "Action")
							taskData.params.action.params.unitId = resolvedID
						end
					end	
				end
			end
		end 
	end 

	function cloneZones.resolveReferences(theZone, dataTable) 
		-- when an action refers to another group, we check if 
		-- the group referred to is also a clone, and update 
		-- the reference to the newest incardnation 
		
		for idx, rawData in pairs(dataTable) do 
			-- resolve references in waypoints
			cloneZones.resolveWPReferences(rawData, theZone, dataTable)
		end
	end


	function cloneZones.handoffTracking(theGroup, theZone)
		if not groupTracker then 
			trigger.action.outText("+++clne: <" .. theZone.name .. "> trackWith requires groupTracker module", 30) 
			return 
		end
		local trackerName = theZone.trackWith
		--if trackerName == "*" then trackerName = theZone.name end 
		-- now assemble a list of all trackers
		if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
			trigger.action.outText("+++clne: clone pass-off: " .. trackerName, 30)
		end 
		
		local trackerNames = {}
		if dcsCommon.containsString(trackerName, ',') then
			trackerNames = dcsCommon.splitString(trackerName, ',')
		else 
			table.insert(trackerNames, trackerName)
		end
		for idx, aTrk in pairs(trackerNames) do 
			local theName = dcsCommon.trim(aTrk)
			if theName == "*" then theName = theZone.name end 
			local theTracker = groupTracker.getTrackerByName(theName)
			if not theTracker then 
				trigger.action.outText("+++clne: <" .. theZone.name .. ">: cannot find tracker named <".. theName .. ">", 30) 
			else 
				groupTracker.addGroupToTracker(theGroup, theTracker)
				 if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
					trigger.action.outText("+++clne: added " .. theGroup:getName() .. " to tracker " .. theName, 30)
				 end
			end 
		end 
	end

	function cloneZones.spawnWithTemplateForZone(theZone, spawnZone)
		-- theZone is the cloner with the template
		-- spawnZone is the spawner with settings 
		--if not spawnZone then spawnZone = theZone end 
		local newCenter = cfxZones.getPoint(spawnZone) 
		-- calculate zoneDelta, is added to all vectors 
		local zoneDelta = dcsCommon.vSub(newCenter, theZone.origin)
		
		local spawnedGroups = {}
		local spawnedStatics = {}
		local dataToSpawn = {}
		
		for idx, aGroupName in pairs(theZone.cloneNames) do 
			local rawData, cat, ctry = cfxMX.getGroupFromDCSbyName(aGroupName)
			rawData.CZorigName = rawData.name -- save original group name
			local origID = rawData.groupId -- save original group ID 
			rawData.CZorigID = origID 
			cloneZones.uniqueIDGroupData(rawData) -- assign unique ID we know 
			cloneZones.uniqueIDUnitData(rawData) -- assign unique ID for units -- saves old unitId as CZorigID
			rawData.CZTargetID = rawData.groupId -- save 
			if rawData.name ~= aGroupName then 
				trigger.action.outText("Clone: FAILED name check", 30)
			end
			
			-- now use raw data to spawn and see if it works outabox
			local theCat = cfxMX.catText2ID(cat)
			rawData.CZtheCat = theCat -- save cat 
			
			-- update their position if not spawning to exact same location 
			cloneZones.updateLocationsInGroupData(rawData, zoneDelta, spawnZone.moveRoute)
			
			-- apply randomizer if selected 
			if spawnZone.rndLoc then 
				local units = rawData.units
				for idx, aUnit in pairs(units) do 
					local r = math.random() * spawnZone.radius
					local phi = 6.2831 * math.random() -- that's 2Pi, folx 
					local dx = r * math.cos(phi)
					local dy = r * math.sin(phi)
					aUnit.x = aUnit.x + dx
					aUnit.y = aUnit.y + dy 
				end
			end
			
			-- apply turning 
			dcsCommon.rotateGroupData(rawData, spawnZone.turn, newCenter.x, newCenter.z)
			
			-- make sure unit and group names are unique 
			cloneZones.uniqueNameGroupData(rawData)
			
			-- see what country we spawn for
			ctry = cloneZones.resolveOwnership(spawnZone, ctry)
			rawData.CZctry = ctry -- save ctry 
			table.insert(dataToSpawn, rawData)
		end 
		
		-- now resolve references to other cloned units for all raw data
		-- we must do this BEFORE we spawn
		cloneZones.resolveReferences(theZone, dataToSpawn)
		
		-- now spawn all raw data 
		for idx, rawData in pairs (dataToSpawn) do 
			-- now spawn and save to clones
			local theGroup = coalition.addGroup(rawData.CZctry, rawData.CZtheCat, rawData)
			table.insert(spawnedGroups, theGroup)
			
			--trigger.action.outText("spawned group " .. rawData.name .. "consisting of", 30)
			
			-- update groupXlate table 
			local newGroupID = theGroup:getID() -- new ID assigned by DCS
			local origID = rawData.CZorigID -- before we materialized
			cloneZones.groupXlate[origID] = newGroupID
			-- now also save all units for references 	
			-- and verify assigned vs target ID 
			for idx, aUnit in pairs(rawData.units) do 
				-- access the proposed name 
				local uName = aUnit.name 
				local gUnit = Unit.getByName(uName)
				if gUnit then 
					-- unit exists. compare planned and assigned ID
					local uID = tonumber(gUnit:getID())
					if uID == aUnit.CZTargetID then 
						--trigger.action.outText("unit " .. uName .. "#"..uID, 30)
						-- all good 
					else 
						trigger.action.outText("clnZ: post-clone verification failed for unit <" .. uName .. ">: ÎD mismatch: " .. uID .. " -- " .. aUnit.CZTargetID, 30)
					end 
					cloneZones.unitXlate[aUnit.CZorigID] = uID 
				else 
					trigger.action.outText("clnZ: post-clone verifiaction failed for unit <" .. uName .. ">: not found", 30) 
				end 
			end
			
			-- check if our assigned ID matches the handed out by 
			-- DCS
			if newGroupID == rawData.CZTargetID then 
				-- we are good
			else 
				trigger.action.outText("clnZ: MISMATCH " .. rawData.name .. " target ID " .. rawData.CZTargetID .. " does not match " .. newGroupID, 30)
			end 

			cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(theZone, "did spawn group", theGroup)
			-- interface to groupTracker 
			if theZone.trackWith then 
				cloneZones.handoffTracking(theGroup, theZone) 
			end
		end

		-- static spawns 
		for idx, aStaticName in pairs(theZone.staticNames) do 
			local rawData, cat, ctry, parent = cfxMX.getStaticFromDCSbyName(aStaticName) -- returns a UNIT data block
			
			if not rawData then
				trigger.action.outText("Static Clone: no such group <"..aStaticName .. ">", 30)			
			elseif rawData.name == aStaticName then 
				-- all good
			else 
				trigger.action.outText("Static Clone: FAILED name check for <" .. aStaticName .. ">", 30)
			end
			local origID = rawData.unitId -- save original unit ID
			rawData.CZorigID = origID 
					
			-- now use raw data to spawn and see if it works outabox
			--local theCat = cfxMX.catText2ID(cat) -- will be "static"
			
			-- trigger.action.outText("static object proccing", 30)
			rawData.x = rawData.x + zoneDelta.x 
			rawData.y = rawData.y + zoneDelta.z -- !!!
		
			-- randomize if enabled
			if spawnZone.rndLoc then 
				local r = math.random() * spawnZone.radius
				local phi = 6.2831 * math.random() -- that's 2Pi, folx 
				local dx = r * math.cos(phi)
				local dy = r * math.sin(phi)
				rawData.x = rawData.x + dx
				rawData.y = rawData.y + dy 
			end
			
			-- apply turning 
			dcsCommon.rotateUnitData(rawData, spawnZone.turn, newCenter.x, newCenter.z)
			
			-- make sure static name is unique and remember original 
			rawData.name = dcsCommon.uuid(rawData.name)
			rawData.unitId = cloneZones.uniqueID()  
			rawData.CZTargetID = rawData.unitId 
			
			-- see what country we spawn for
			ctry = cloneZones.resolveOwnership(spawnZone, ctry)
			
			-- handle linkUnit if provided  
			if false and rawData.linkUnit then 
				--trigger.action.outText("has link to " .. rawData.linkUnit, 30)
				local lU = cloneZones.resolveStaticLinkUnit(rawData.linkUnit)
				--trigger.action.outText("resolved to " .. lU, 30)
				rawData.linkUnit = lU 
				if not rawData.offsets then 
					rawData.offsets = {}
					rawData.offsets.angle = 0
					rawData.offsets.x = 0
					rawData.offsets.y = 0
					--trigger.action.outText("clnZ: link required offset for " .. rawData.name, 30)
				end 
				rawData.offsets.y = rawData.offsets.y - zoneDelta.z 
				rawData.offsets.x = rawData.offsets.x - zoneDelta.x 
				rawData.offsets.angle = rawData.offsets.angle + spawnZone.turn
				rawData.linkOffset = true 
	--			trigger.action.outText("zone deltas are " .. zoneDelta.x .. ", " .. zoneDelta.y, 30)
			end
			
			local isCargo = rawData.canCargo 
			local theStatic = coalition.addStaticObject(ctry, rawData)
			local newStaticID = tonumber(theStatic:getID()) 
			table.insert(spawnedStatics, theStatic)
			-- we don't mix groups with units, so no lookup tables for 
			-- statics 
			if newStaticID == rawData.CZTargetID then 
	--			trigger.action.outText("Static ID OK: " .. newStaticID  .. " for " .. rawData.name, 30)
			else 
				trigger.action.outText("Static ID mismatch: " .. newStaticID .. " vs (target) " .. rawData.CZTargetID .. " for " .. rawData.name, 30)
			end
			cloneZones.unitXlate[origID] = newStaticID -- same as units 
			
			cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(theZone, "did spawn static", theStatic)
			--]]--
			if cloneZones.verbose or spawnZone.verbose then 
				trigger.action.outText("Static spawn: spawned " .. aStaticName, 30)
			end 
			-- processing for cargoManager 
			if isCargo then 
				if cfxCargoManager then 
					cfxCargoManager.addCargo(theStatic)
					if cloneZones.verbose or spawnZone.verbose then 
						trigger.action.outText("+++clne: added CARGO " .. theStatic:getName() .. " to cargo manager ", 30)
					end
				else 
					if cloneZones.verbose or spawnZone.verbose then 
						trigger.action.outText("+++clne: CARGO " .. theStatic:getName() .. " detected, not managerd", 30)
					end
				end
			end
		end	
		local args = {}
		args.groups = spawnedGroups
		args.statics = spawnedStatics
		cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(theZone, "spawned", args)
		return spawnedGroups, spawnedStatics 
	end

	function cloneZones.spawnWithCloner(theZone) 
		if not theZone then 
			trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: nil zone on spawnWithCloner", 30)
			return 
		end
		if not theZone.cloner then 
			trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: spawnWithCloner invoked with non-cloner <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
			return 
		end 
		
		-- force spawn with this spawner 
		local templateZone = theZone
		if theZone.source then 
			-- we use a different zone for templates
			-- souce can be a comma separated list
			local templateName = theZone.source
			if dcsCommon.containsString(templateName, ",") then 
				local allNames = templateName 
				local templates = dcsCommon.splitString(templateName, ",")
				templateName = dcsCommon.pickRandom(templates)
				templateName = dcsCommon.trim(templateName) 
				if cloneZones.verbose then 
					trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: picked random template <" .. templateName .."> for from <" .. allNames .. "> for cloner " .. theZone.name, 30)
				end 
			end
			
			local newTemplate = cloneZones.getCloneZoneByName(templateName)
			if not newTemplate then 
				if cloneZones.verbose then 
					trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: no clone source with name <" .. templateName .."> for cloner " .. theZone.name, 30)
				end  
				return 
			end
			templateZone = newTemplate 
		end
		
		-- make sure our template is filled 
		if not templateZone.cloneNames then 
			if cloneZones.verbose then 
				trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: clone source template <".. templateZone.name .. "> for clone zone <" .. theZone.name .."> is empty", 30)
			end 
			return 
		end

		-- pre-Wipe?
		if theZone.preWipe then 
			cloneZones.despawnAll(theZone)
			cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(theZone, "wiped", {})
		end
		

		local theClones, theStatics = cloneZones.spawnWithTemplateForZone(templateZone, theZone)
		-- reset hasClones so we know our spawns are full and we can 
		-- detect complete destruction
		if (theClones and #theClones > 0) or 
		   (theStatics and #theStatics > 0)
		then 
			theZone.hasClones = true 
			theZone.mySpawns = theClones 
			theZone.myStatics = theStatics 
		else 
			theZone.hasClones = false 
			theZone.mySpawns = {}
			theZone.myStatics = {}
		end
	end

	function cloneZones.countLiveUnits(theZone)
		if not theZone then return 0 end 
		local count = 0
		-- count units 
		if theZone.mySpawns then 
			for idx, aGroup in pairs(theZone.mySpawns) do 
				if aGroup:isExist() then 
					local allUnits = aGroup:getUnits()
					for idy, aUnit in pairs(allUnits) do 
						if aUnit:isExist() and aUnit:getLife() >= 1 then 
							count = count + 1
						end
					end
				end
			end
		end
		
		-- count statics 
		if theZone.myStatics then 
			for idx, aStatic in pairs(theZone.myStatics) do 
				if aStatic:isExist() and aStatic:getLife() >= 1 then 
					count = count + 1
				end
			end
		end
		return count 
	end

	function cloneZones.hasLiveUnits(theZone)
		if not theZone then return 0 end 
		if theZone.mySpawns then 
			for idx, aGroup in pairs(theZone.mySpawns) do 
				if aGroup:isExist() then 
					local allUnits = aGroup:getUnits()
					for idy, aUnit in pairs(allUnits) do 
						if aUnit:isExist() and aUnit:getLife() >= 1 then 
							return true
						end
					end
				end
			end
		end 
		
		if theZone.myStatics then 
			for idx, aStatic in pairs(theZone.myStatics) do 
				if aStatic:isExist() and aStatic.getLife() >= 1 then 
					return true 
				end 
			end
		end
		
		return false
	end

	--
	-- UPDATE
	--
	function cloneZones.update()
		timer.scheduleFunction(cloneZones.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1)
		
		for idx, aZone in pairs(cloneZones.cloners) do
			-- see if deSpawn was pulled. Must run before spawn
			if aZone.deSpawnFlag then 
				local currTriggerVal = cfxZones.getFlagValue(aZone.deSpawnFlag, aZone) -- trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.deSpawnFlag)
				if currTriggerVal ~= aZone.lastDeSpawnValue then 
					if cloneZones.verbose then 
						trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: DEspawn triggered for <" .. aZone.name .. ">", 30)
					end 
					cloneZones.despawnAll(aZone)
					aZone.lastDeSpawnValue = currTriggerVal
				end
			end
			
			-- see if we got spawn? command
			if cfxZones.testZoneFlag(aZone, aZone.spawnFlag, aZone.cloneTriggerMethod, "lastSpawnValue") then
				if cloneZones.verbose then 
					trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: spawn triggered for <" .. aZone.name .. ">", 30)
				end 
				cloneZones.spawnWithCloner(aZone)
			end
			
			-- empty handling 
			local isEmpty = cloneZones.countLiveUnits(aZone) < 1 and aZone.hasClones		
			if isEmpty then 
				-- see if we need to bang a flag 
				if aZone.emptyFlag then 
					--cloneZones.pollFlag(aZone.emptyFlag)
					cfxZones.pollFlag(aZone.emptyFlag, 'inc', aZone)
				end 
				
				if aZone.emptyBangFlag then 
					cfxZones.pollFlag(aZone.emptyBangFlag, aZone.cloneMethod, aZone)
					if cloneZones.verbose then 
						trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: bang! on " .. aZone.emptyBangFlag, 30)
					end
				end
				-- invoke callbacks 
				cloneZones.invokeCallbacks(aZone, "empty", {}) 
				
				-- prevent isEmpty next pass
				aZone.hasClones = false 
			end
			
		end
	end

	function cloneZones.onStart()
		--trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: Enter atStart", 30)
		for idx, theZone in pairs(cloneZones.cloners) do 
			if theZone.onStart then 
				if cloneZones.verbose then 
					trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: atStart will spawn for <"..theZone.name .. ">", 30)
				end
				cloneZones.spawnWithCloner(theZone) 
				
			end 
		end
	end

	--
	-- START 
	--
	function cloneZones.readConfigZone()
		local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("cloneZonesConfig") 
		if not theZone then 
			if cloneZones.verbose then 
				trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: NO config zone!", 30)
			end 
			return 
		end 
		
		cloneZones.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
		
		if cloneZones.verbose then 
			trigger.action.outText("+++clnZ: read config", 30)
		end 
	end

	function cloneZones.start()
		-- lib check
		if not dcsCommon.libCheck then 
			trigger.action.outText("cfx Clone Zones requires dcsCommon", 30)
			return false 
		end 
		if not dcsCommon.libCheck("cfx Clone Zones", 
			cloneZones.requiredLibs) then
			return false 
		end
		
		-- read config 
		cloneZones.readConfigZone()
		
		-- process cloner Zones 
		local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("cloner")
		
		-- now create an rnd gen for each one and add them
		-- to our watchlist 
		for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
			cloneZones.createClonerWithZone(aZone) -- process attribute and add to zone
			cloneZones.addCloneZone(aZone) -- remember it so we can smoke it
		end
		
		-- run through onStart, but leave at least a few
		-- cycles to go through object removal so statics
		-- can spawn on ground. onStart is being deprecated, the
		-- raiseFlag module covers this since the first time 
		-- raiseFlag is run is t0 + 0.5s
		timer.scheduleFunction(cloneZones.onStart, {}, timer.getTime() + 0.1)
		
		-- start update 
		cloneZones.update()
		
		trigger.action.outText("cfx Clone Zones v" .. cloneZones.version .. " started.", 30)
		return true 
	end


	-- let's go!
	if not cloneZones.start() then 
		trigger.action.outText("cf/x Clone Zones aborted: missing libraries", 30)
		cloneZones = nil 
	end


	--[[--
		to resolve tasks 

		- AFAC 
			- FAC Assign group 
		- set freq for unit 
	--]]--