How to create waypoints with the AI API?

[Felicitus]

The title says it all - I have found nothing, and I am under impression that a function just doesn't exist - right?

[Roujin]

Can't really tell you if there's a function for creating waypoints hidden somewhere or not, but you can use stations pretty much in the same manner as waypoints (even better, since you can make them multiple tracks wide, which you can't do with waypoints). You just have to set appropriate orders (go via, instead of go to).

Or aren't "go via" orders supported by NoAI either? I think they are, though.

edit: since your AI goes for performance rather than realistic looks, I think you won't care about using a one-piece station instead of a waypoint.. or not?

[Zuu]

Depends on if it should comply with rules like that no unused stations are allowed, since all stations you have, even the unserved are counted when the company score is calculated.

Also I don't know if the waypoints are cheaper in maintenance. But as long as you won't try to do intra-city (in single city) transport you probably make enough money to pay the maintenance costs. A big railway station has the same cost as a small bus stop.

[Felicitus]

Well, because one-tile stations are pretty bad to handle (it could accidently pick up cargo where it shouldn't etc), I prefer real waypoints, and that's also what the AI will prefer

[Zuu]

Well, because one-tile stations are pretty bad to handle (it could accidently pick up cargo where it shouldn't etc), I prefer real waypoints, and that's also what the AI will prefer

If you make sure to use non-stop orders on all your trains, then no trains will accidently stop on a one-tile station. That of course depend on if you have a strategy that depend on not having all stations in the order list as with non-stop orders you are required to add all stations the train should stop at on the list.

[Felicitus]

Well, yes, it would be possible, but it makes the whole thing even more complex. So I prefer having real waypoints, just like I prefer them in the game itself

[CommanderZ]

I definitely woudln't use an AI which builds one tile stations near every junction. I like when the AI behaves more or less like a human.

[Yexo]

It's currently missing from the API indeed. Please have a little patience, I'm working on implementing it.

[Felicitus]

That's great You already have someone who will actually use it

[Roujin]

I definitely woudln't use an AI which builds one tile stations near every junction. I like when the AI behaves more or less like a human.

depends on which human you mean. There are humans using such as multi-track waypoints and/or penalties

His AI also uses the depot trap, which I think you dislike for its un-realisticness (or am I confusing you with someone else), so it won't be your favorite anyway

---
Felicitus: as Zuu said, proper usage of "non-stop" orders will prevent trains from stopping there. Anyway, the point is moot now since Yexo is quick as always implementing new stuff

[Felicitus]

His AI also uses the depot trap, which I think you dislike for its un-realisticness (or am I confusing you with someone else), so it won't be your favorite anyway

That's not for sure yet. The station builder builds the depot from a set of templates, and if such a template will be included later or not depends on for what I decide. Maybe the AI could be configured to resemble several playstyles (like the one on Kurt's goal servers, which is dirty and quick) or the "nicer" ones found on the openttdcoop servers.

[Zutty]

The devs giveth...

http://hg.openttd.org/openttd/trunk.hg/rev/49baf107bcb6