Most asked questions

Q: I'm working on a multiplayer game which is working fine starting through WED if I use -sv, -cl etc. How do you go about coding the startup files?

A: You can use separate batch files for client, server, etc or you can use the engine itself (load a dummy level and use "exec").

Q: I like your footprint code in Aum9; how can I change it to create footprints only when the player is outdoors?

A: Add scan_texture to trace_mode and compare the name of the texture with “your_snow_texture”. If these names are the same, create the footprints.

Q: How can I make that my enemy hear sounds and attack me?

A: Check the distance between the player and your enemy (or use scan) and if the player makes a certain "noise" (opens a door, etc) set a variable and then check its value in enemy's action.

Q: How can you define a variable for a certain entity and then change its properties?

A: You need to use pointers for that. Here's a sample:

 
entity* golden_fish;
 
action my_fish // attach this action to your fish model
{
       golden_fish = me;
.......................
}

 
Now you can type golden_fish.ambient = 100 at the console (or put it in any function / action) and your fish will become brighter
 

Q: I have started to play a wave file by pressing the space button in my action. The wave file plays once from beginning to end. Can I stop it somehow before it ends?

A: Yes, you can. Here's the code:

var sound_handle;

action your_action

{

       ...........

       sound_handle = snd_play (my_great_music, 40, 0);

       ...........

       while (something)

       {

               if (key_s == 1) // press S to stop the sound

               {

                       snd_stop (sound_handle);

               }

       }

}

Q: I am trying to create a speedo for my game. I would like to use 2 panels; the first is the clock, and the second is the needle that indicates the speed. I need to make the needle rotate or 'roll'. Is this possible with a panel?

A: Use two entities; their definitions should be similar to the bow entity in this Aum edition. This way you will be able to change the roll angle.
 

Q: Can you change a Map entities texture by script?

A: Yes, you can use morph or use u and v to shift the texture (it should be twice the original size) until you see the new one.
 

Q: I was wondering if there is a way, instead of deleting the particle when the particle life expires, but to delete the particle when it passes a certain position or becomes X far away from where it started?
A: Yes, you can use particle's skill_x ... skill_z.
 

Q: I'm using Geometricks' attach_entity function. I did a generic attach statement, but my models were scaled, so the guns did not line up correctly. Can I scale the guns via script to match a model scaled in WED?

A: The answer is easy if you know the scale in Wed:
 
function attach_prop_entity()
{
       // new stuff from here on
       my.scale_x = 0.3; // if you have scaled the original model to 0.3 in Wed
       my.scale_y = 0.3;
       my.scale_z = 0.3;
       // new stuff ends here
 
       my.passable = on;
       while(you) // prevent empty synoym error if parent entity was removed
       {
               if(your.shadow == on) { my.shadow = on; }
               vec_set(my.x,you.x);
               vec_set(my.pan,you.pan);
 
               // increment _ANIMDIST by elapsed time
               my._ANIMDIST += 50*TIME; // replace 50 with engine speed in game
               while(my._ANIMDIST > 100)
               {
                       my._ANIMDIST -= 100;
               }
               ent_frame("Frame",my._ANIMDIST);
               wait(1);
       }
       remove(my);
}

Q: Is there a way for a (template) enemy to slowly fade from existence after a certain time and then remove itself?

A: First of all, comment a line in action robot2:
 
ACTION robot2
{
       MY._FORCE = 2;
       MY._FIREMODE = DAMAGE_SHOOT+FIRE_PARTICLE+HIT_FLASH+0.05;
       // MY._HITMODE = HIT_GIB;//HIT_EXPLO; // comment this line
       MY._WALKSOUND = _SOUND_ROBOT;
       anim_init();
       drop_shadow(); // attach shadow to robot
       actor_fight();
       // if(MY.FLAG4 == ON) { patrol(); }
       // create(<arrow.pcx>,MY.POS,_ROBOT_TEST_WATCHER); // used to activate watcher drone
}
 
Attach this piece of code at the end of the state_die function:
 
// If entity 'gibs' after death
if((ME != player) && ((MY._HITMODE & MODE_HIT) == HIT_GIB))//(MY._HITMODE & HIT_GIB))
{
       _gib(25); // use new "gib" function
       actor_explode(); // ends with the removal of this entity
       return;
}
MY.PASSABLE = ON; // body remains
 
// new stuff from here on
my.transparent = on;
my.alpha = 100;
while (my.alpha > 0)
{
       my.alpha -= 2 * time;
       wait (1);
}
ent_remove (me);
// new stuff ends here
}