Editing Instadock Bookmarks

==Problem==
[[File:Landing outside a docking area.png|thumb|right|alt=This ship warped to 0 km warp-in point of a station, but landed 1923 meters from it. So it has to slowboat there in order to dock.|Landing outside a docking area]]

When a pilot selects a space station and issues a docking command their ship warps toward that station, lands at the warp-in point of that station and sends a docking request. However, due to EVE’s warping mechanics it is possible that it’ll exit the warp tunnel within 2500 meters range from the desired location. In this case it’ll have to fly to the docking area of the station in order for the docking procedure to kick in, which may take a significant amount of time (especially for bigger and slower ships). It opens a perfect opportunity for setting an ambush because the default warp-in points of all stations are the same for all players.

==Solution==
Creation of instadock bookmarks allows pilots to use them instead of the default warp-in point of a station in order to guarantee that their ships always land within its docking area and can dock immediately.

==Mechanics==
In general, a docking area can be thought of as a giant invisible sphere wrapping a station. Depending on the station type the size of this area may vary a lot (see https://jambeeno.com/sta). Usually its edge is roughly indicated by a circle of flashing lights around the station (although it may not be always true). Another way to tell whether a ship is inside of the docking area or not is to look at the distance to the station - it has to be less than (roughly) 350 meters.

Location of a ship doesn’t matter that much as long as it is inside the docking area. Therefore any bookmark inside this sphere can be used for docking. However, be sure to leave at least 2500 meters to the edge to compensate for a potential warp-in deviation.

==Usage==

There are 2 ways to use instadock bookmarks. One of them involves autopilot, the other one requires pilots to dock manually.

In order to use instadock bookmarks with '''autopilot''':

# Select a space station and set it as a destination
# Select the instadock bookmark for this station
# Warp to 0 km to this bookmark
# Enable autopilot once the ship enters warping tunnel
# Autopilot will issue a docking command on the next server tick after the ship finishes its warp jump

It takes some time for autopilot to kick in. Therefore it has to be enabled closer to the earlier stages of the jump in order for this trick to work! Turning it on right before the warp ends may not work.

This method is pretty convenient because it doesn’t require any manual intervention from the pilot once everything is set up. But there is always a chance to get distracted and forget to turn on autopilot. So it is highly recommended to be ready to fallback to the manual method in case this one doesn’t work.

In order to use instadock bookmarks '''manually''':

# Select a space station and set it as a destination
# Select the instadock bookmark for this station
# Warp to 0 km to this bookmark
# Issue the docking command manually

Upon exiting a warp tunnel your ship is invulnerable for a short period of time (there is no visual indication). So you should be able to dock before other pilots will be able to damage it. However, it may be better to send multiple docking requests so that your ship doesn’t float in space for too long in case something goes wrong. Some pilots even recommend clicking the Dock button repeatedly as fast as possible until the docking procedure kicks in.

==Creation==

There are multiple types of instadock bookmarks and therefore multiple ways to create them.

<gallery mode="packed">
Docking area.png|Approximate docking area
Instadock on undock.png|Instadock in the undocking area
Instadock close to station.png|Instadock close to the station model
Instadock far from dock and undock.png|Instadock far from the docking and undocking areas
Instadock inside station.png|Instadock inside the station model
</gallery>

The quickest way is to drop a bookmark right after your ship undocks from the target station. Usually it’ll end up in the docking area. However, it doesn’t work with kickout stations due to their docks being too close to the edge. Yet another issue of this method is that such bookmarks reside in the undocking area of a station which may be camped making it more dangerous to use them.

In order to create an instadock bookmark '''on undock''':

# Undock from the target station
# Wait until the black screen is over and you see space
# Use a shortcut to open the bookmark creation window (Ctrl + B)
# Use a shortcut to confirm a new bookmark creation (Enter)

The quicker you use these two shortcuts the closer the bookmark will be to the station.

Another approach would be to '''pick a random spot''' inside the docking area of a station and drop a bookmark there. This way you are the only person who knows the location of this bookmark. It may require some manual piloting (use double clicking in space or Q-click piloting mode). Placing it far enough from the station’s docking and undocking areas may potentially make it harder for campers to attack you. Placing it closer to the station model reduces the risk of your ship exiting warp outside the docking area.

Yet another approach is to create a bookmark '''inside of the target station model'''. Depending on the station type and the exact location of the bookmark your ship may gain quite a lot of speed upon arriving due to the game trying to fix the collision by pushing it outside. Sometimes it is possible to get a ship to constantly bounce inside a station model. Such high speed maneuvers may potentially decrease the amount of damage your ship is about to take in case docking doesn’t work the way it should. 

In order to create a bookmark inside a station model:

# Position your ship on one side of the station. It should be pretty close to the wall, but just far enough to allow your ship to accelerate and warp to another point on the other side of the station.
# Create a bookmark.
# Fly to the opposite side of the station.
# Fly at least 150-170 km from the first bookmark.
# Ensure that the station is between your ship and the first bookmark.
# Create another bookmark.
# Start jumping between these 2 bookmarks and try to drop an instadock bookmark when a ship flies through the station.
# Once you manage to drop a bookmark inside the station model - you are done. Feel free to delete those other 2 bookmarks.

Note that if you end up inside a station model, docking is your only option - it is impossible to fly or warp anywhere else. It may also be dangerous to use such kind of bookmarks with big and heavy ships because they may get kicked out well beyond the docking area which may be a big problem in case you don’t dock fast enough.

==Fittings==

Any fit will do. However smaller ships like shuttles, frigates and corvettes may be faster and easier to maneuver in case you want to create a bookmark anywhere but the undocking area of the station.

== Acknowledgements ==
Signal Cartel graciously thanks [https://evewho.com/character/2120621292 Millener Audeles] and [https://evewho.com/character/2112302868 Asa Kansene] for their foundational contribution to this wiki page that will assist future Signaleers as they explore the stars.