API Tutorials

Moff

Are there any guides to the Astrosynthesis API language? I've tried looking before... I'm especially interested in editing the parameters of the bulk 2D export script in this forum to show all stars within a certain radius of stars of a certain spectral class. I've used a certain type to set up a grid for a very large map--which I've finally completed after about six months--and would like to adapt the bulk export script to run off all of the "grid squares" formed by these specially designated stars.

I really appreciate the help. The sooner I can get this aspect done, the sooner I can work on the other aspects of the project.

Moff

Okay, so I looked through the script again and found the the API index posted at the top of the forum (sorry about missing that when I posted the thread). So, like I said, I'm trying to adapt the Bulk 2D Export script to work off a grid made up of red dwarf markers.

Here is what I came up with after reading the original file and the API guide.

#plugin      Export 2D maps
    #author      NBOS
    #desc         Exports a 2d map for specified systems

    'exports a 2D map for each populated system greater than PopLimit,
    'displaying all systems within a selected distance of the populated system.

    sector = GetCurrentSector()

    'Settings

    'be careful with this number on large sectors - it may
    'result in thousands of images getting generated!
    TargSpec = M9           'population cutoff for generating images
    ExpLimit = 450                 'maximum number of images to output, so it doesnt run all night
    MapDistance = 50               'distance, in light years, from center body that the map shows
    MapShape = 0                  'cube or sphere selection.  The shape to use when selecting bodies around
                                  'the center system.  Only affects body selection, *not* image shape.
                                  '1 = sphere, 0 = cube

    'image options

    SavePath = "C:\[insert directory here]\"      'where to save files to, make sure has ending \
    ColorMode = 2                 '0 = black & white, 1 = color on white, 2 = full color
    ShowRoutes = true              'whether to show routes or not
    ScaleZ = true                 'whether to scale system indicators based on their +/- Z coordinate
    ShowGrids = false              'whether to show grids or not
    FontScale = 6                 'font scale factor.  amount to multiply the font size by, can be decimal like 1.5
    SystemScale = 1                 'system scale factor. amount to multiple circle for system marker, can be decimal
    ImageSize = 4000               'width & height, in pixels, of generated image
    Orientation = 1                 'axis orientation, 0 = x/y, 1 = x/z, 2 = y/z

    'Do the image generation
    ExpCount = 0
    n = sector.SystemCount
    For i = 1 to n
       
       sector.selectall false
       
       b = sector.GetSystem( i-1)

       If (b.Visible) and (b.Spectral = TargSpec) Then

          'info display
          sector.RenderMessageBig = "Exporting 2D Maps"
          sector.RenderMessageSmall = CStr(i) & " / " & CStr(n)
          RefreshScene

          'create a new sector object, export to it a 10ly submap of main sector, export the new sector,
          'and then free it
          sector.selectbody b
          expsector = CreateSector()
          sector.CreateSubmapFromSelected expsector, MapDistance, MapShape
          
          expsector.Export2D SavePath & b.Name & ".png", ColorMode, ShowRoutes, ScaleZ, ShowGrids, FontScale, SystemScale, ImageSize, Orientation
          FreeObject expsector
          
          ExpCount = ExpCount + 1
          
       End If
       
       If ExpCount > ExpLimit Then Exit For
       
    Next

    RefreshScene

It should create approximately 450 images, each centered on one of these red dwarf markers (they're the only M9s on the map... it's not a very astronomically-sound map, but what do you want from Star Wars?) and extending 50 LY in each direction in a cubic map.

Unfortunately, when I attempt to Run From File, I get a "Script Error: Microsoft VBScript compilation error" dialog box and no enormous flood of images. Did I fumble something somewhere?

kaladorn

The usual debugging method would be MsgBox here, there and everywhere to see what you have to work with and might give you and idea where the problem lies. That doesn't mean you'll get enough to fix it, but you might.