Directional scanning: Difference between revisions

The '''directional scanner''' is a built-in device that comes with all ships and can detect most objects in space at long range. This article describes the configuration and use of the d-scan.

The directional-scanner ("d-scanner") is an extremely powerful searching tool, especially for PvP, in all sectors of space. A d-scan can cover an area with a range of up to about 14 AU (appx. 2 x10⁹ km), and at an angle from 5° to 360°.  

In solo PVP the d-scanner can be used to locate opponents. In fleets it is common for intel reports to be made by pasting the scanner results into an [[#Scouting|online parser]]. These can give a Fleet Commander intelligence on enemy fleet compositions to help decide whether an engagement is worth pursuing. Directional scanning is also widely used in mining and exploring to give early warning of hostile ships and/or combat probes. Good scanning can provide the vital seconds needed to escape an incoming attack.

* most ships (some are immune to scanning),

The scanner has a number of limitations:  

==Basic Layout==

The directional scanner can be only be accessed in space. You open it by pressing Alt+D. Or, you can open it by clicking the "radar" button, above the autopilot button but below the cargohold button on the left-hand side of your HUD, and when the window with the three scanners opens, choose the directional scanner.

[[File:Qs openDscan.jpg|thumb|left|Open the directional scanner from the scanners pop-up.]]

The scanner has three main controls: a filter selecter, a range slider, and an angle slider. A Map button is at the top right, a large SCAN button initiates and refreshes the scan, and a display section lists the items that the scanner has found. These are briefly described here and covered in detail in the following sections.

*Filter selecter: a drop down menu that chooses a filter for the scanner results. The scanner finds everything that it can, but only displays the items indicated by the filter.

*Range slider and range input box: sets the distance that the scanner can see. The slider offers a set of widely used values: from .1 to 14.3 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_unit AU], with 14.3 being the farthest available distance.

*Angle slider: at its maximum, 360°, the scanner finds everything in a sphere centered on your ship. By reducing the angle you can narrow the search to a cone that points out from the nose of your ship.

* Scan results: a list of items found by the scanner. Choosing different filters from the drop-down menu will change what is shown in this list.

Once you have performed a scan, changing the scanner's filter will immediately update the results list to match the new filter. However, this uses the data from the previous scan, and so may be inaccurate, and to update the list, just press SCAN again. Changing either the range or angle will cause a fresh scan to be run automatically, using the new settings.

===Map===

[[File:Qs Dscan14-360map.jpg|left|thumb|Map with d-scanner set to maximum range and angle.]]

[[File:Qs 04dscanprac.jpg|right|thumb|Use the radial menu inside the Map to aim the scanner.]]

At the top left of the map are a set of icons that access various preference settings.[[File:Qs DscanMapIcons.jpg|left|thumb|D-scan map icons]]

* The object filter icon opens a list of boxes that can be checked/unchecked to show or hide various objects in the solar system. This can be useful if you are, for example, only interested in asteroid belts.

===Range===

Changing the range will immediately update the scan results list, and also the red representaion of the scan area on the scanner's map.

{{see also|Camera}}

[[File:Qs Dscan5-60map.jpg|left|250px]]

====Locking the Map to the Camera====

With the option '''not checked''' (''this is the default'') moving the camera in space will point the scanner, but changing the view in the map window will not

* the Map view can be rotated to show the scan cone,

* moving the camera in space will move the scan cone in the map window.

With this option '''checked''' dragging with the mouse in the map window will move the camera AND point the scanner, both in the map and in space

* the Map will always show the view from directly behind your ship,

Because camera manipulation is involved, you may find it helpful to enable Overview brackets to help you see things in space. With brackets enabled, you can align the camera by moving the target celestial's icon toward your ship's indicator. This was a useful technique prior to the introduction of the map, and some pilots may prefer it.

===D-Scan Filter And Scan Results===

A widely used setting is "Active Overview Filters", the first entry on the menu. This option sets the d-scan filter to match the currently active tab in your Overview window. Be aware, though, that the d-scanner does not work exactly like the Overview does. D-scan, for example, does not use the states shown in the Overview tab. This means that the scanner cannot tell the difference between friendly ships and enemies. Nor will the scanner give you the range to any ships that it finds. Thus, you can know the type of a ship, but not its affiliation, and to pin down a ship you need to narrow your scan angle and scan in different directions until you find it.

You can also use Overview Settings to create special filters for use in the d-scan. For example, a miner or explorer may want to set up a filter that looks only for combat ships and probes.  

(This is but one example. There are a variety of offensive d-scan techniques, covering different tactical situations. [[D-Scan 102]] provides an in-depth look at many of these.)

So ... imagine that a hunter is looking for mining targets. The first thing that he or she does is to enter a system and look at the Overview to find a moon or planet with a number of nearby asteroid belts. In this case Amygnon VIII has three belts within d-scan range. So the hunter warps to the moon. The plan is to scan each of the asteroid belts looking for mining ships. Although the scanner will not give the range to a ship, it WiLL give the range to the asteroid belt, enabling the hunter to warp in farily close to the target.

Notice that the icon for asteroid belt on the Overview is a pyramid of three dots. This same icon will be used in the d-scan map to show belts.