[Axem]

Continuing on with my backup FRED Contest mission, I'm having quite a bit of trouble with waypoints.

I've assigned two ships different waypoints. They follow them up until it gets past the first waypoint point. After that, one ship just spins around aimlessly, and the other goes in circles and then does a loop or two, heads to the last waypoint and starts over again.

Any one know what the problem might be?

[pyro-manic]

I had this problem with a mission once, but I never figured out what caused it. It's something to do with the ship not actually hitting the waypoint dead on, but getting very close and then trying to turn back to hit it. It never manages it, so it just spins forever.

Try deleting the waypoints and creating them again.

[karajorma]

Try using a when>Distance>Ship>Waypoint>Clear Goals rather than actually waiting for the ship to get there.

[Nuclear1]

Are the ships using just one waypoint (i.e. just one point to travel to), or are they using multiple points (i.e. a patrol path)?

If they're using just one, I found the problem always is that I give the ship a "Waypoints" order, but not "Waypoints Once"; the ship therefore tries to do the waypoints again, though it's already at it (which results in spinning and weird dancing).

If they're using two, they might be too close together (that is, if the waypoints end up close together), or there's simply something wacky with the ship AI.

The problem I could see with yours is really only that the waypoints aren't connected. That, or something's blocking the other waypoint (though, in this case, the ship would just mindlessly beat its head into whatever the object is).

I would recommend checking the "Waypoints" --> "Waypoints Once" issue. See how that works. If all else fails, send me a version of the mission and I'll see what I can do with it.

[Goober5000]

Originally posted by pyro-manic
I had this problem with a mission once, but I never figured out what caused it. It's something to do with the ship not actually hitting the waypoint dead on, but getting very close and then trying to turn back to hit it. It never manages it, so it just spins forever.

Try deleting the waypoints and creating them again.

'Tis it.  Particularly with capships.  Even if the capship can do the waypoint, sometimes it gets confused if it has to turn too far to get to the second waypoint.

If it's a cruiser, then increase the number of waypoints so the cruiser doesn't have to turn far to get to each one.  If it's a bigger ship, then just do what kara said and you should be fine.  If it's a smaller ship, it might be a bug.

[Axem]

kara's suggestion seems to have worked. My mission is saved! Thankfully there were only 3 waypoints for the two ships, so it wasn't that hard to fix it.

Thanks everyone, that AI seems to get dumber by the second.

Helm: Sir, we've reached the waypoint, down to the Planck Length.
Captain: Let's do a loop-d-loop!
Helm: But sir, we need to escort this transport of starving amputee war orphans!
Captain: I wanna loop-d-looooop!
Helm: Yes sir...

[Cobra]

here's what i do sometimes:

instead of creating 90 degree angles, i make several waypoints in a nice turning radius. that usually works for me.