Func_movelinear Acting Strange Created 13 years ago2010-11-28 04:40:56 UTC by TawnosPrime

I'm trying to create a unique laser effect in my skybox, with 3 lasers converging into one. To do this, I've got the env_beam and info_target pairs parented to func_movelinears, meant to move them together and stop. They do neither.

They all move in the same direction, despite being set differently, and just keep going and going. I've checked the parenting, names, angles, distances, everything I can think of to try to get these running right. What am I missing?

upload the map, please...

Sorry, I was tired when I posted.

Here's the .vmf file. It's set up for Half-Life 2 atm.

I could have used the real .vmf but I got it.

I will look at it soon.

I am not trying to be insulting but I am having a hard time figuring out your map. I find all kinds of problems actually. None, that catch the editor's attention but it definitely got mine.

1. Why are you trying to do all this in the skybox? Why not move all the

entities into your map.  I am not sure if this is causing a problem.
Maybe someone else can pipe in on that one.

2. Da spinner don't spin. Not sure if you are waiting to troubleshoot the

other before you start da spinna.

3. You got skybox texture on just one side of your boxes. Coat ALL sides.

I have tried the whole no-draw/skytexture thing and I think it causes
problems. I know you are using the device texture....

3. Most importantly, and I believe this to be your main problem. You

func_linears are not defined.  Meaning, they don't do anything.  They
move one block to the right EVERYTIME cause that's what you have it set
to.  Getting a func_linear to move perfectly in a diagonal is going to
be tricky.  The destination could be off by a block or two, well, unless
you are a rocket scientist and can figure all that out.  Someone might
able to help you with that.  I believe a func_train and a few
path_corners would allow you to accomplish your goal much better. If
you use the func_linear then I would suggest making the actual blocks
a uniform shape, i.e., 1x1, 2x2, 4x4.  This will make the diagonal
calculation a little more smooth.  Then count the number of blocks to
the center and use that as your travel distance.  Be sure to set the
angle correctly as it will move in the direction you set it to, even up
and down.  It will only move in this direction and back.

example: You have a func_linear that you want to move up and down. The

distance between your floors is 256. Below are the position sets.
Note: these numbers can be negative, i.e. -256.

position 0: (start)
position 1: 256
position 2: 512
position 3: 1024

etc, etc., you can have as many positions or points that you want but they will all be multiplied by your travel distance. You can set the positions with an input into the entity. I think it is something like setposition 1,2,3, etc. Trust me, it confused me for a minute too until I figured it out.

I would fix it up for ya but you would never learn anything so I hope this helps and keep up the good work! You really don't need the skybox.

EDIT: I did get the func_movelinear's to work for me. You just have to set their angles seperately and set the move distance. Don't spin them or whatever you did to get the angle. And I did see that the spinner was on, my bad. I had the same problems however when I parented the tracks to the spinner. I tried parenting everything to the spinner but more problems.

Those are the only two main problems I saw overall.

1. Fix angles on func_movelinear and set distance.

2. unParent the tracks from the spinner.

peace

I believe you have to set the origin of the func_movelinear to get them to move into position; not their angles or any other keyvalue. Didn't have time to check out the map but it sounds like you're not doing this?

There are obviously other ways to do it. I am not sure what you are referring to the origin unless you can drag the center origin to the destination somehow and then it knows. Some entities have multiple ways of doing things.

I got it to work by setting the angles at 45,135,270 and setting the travel distance to 32, speed 10. And then used a trigger to setposition 1. The only problem was getting all three moving lasers to parent to a spinning object and still work. I always have problems with parenting.

After some attempts on my side, I've decided to scrap this idea. Aside from the fact that I still can't get this to work, the effect I've seen from what I can get working, isn't what I'm after.

On the working form, they NEVER stop. I've tried setting the trigger to 'open' and setposition 1, but no matter what, they don't stop. I've tried setting an OnFullyOpen Kill on the entity, setting the distance to 32 and 1 (in a vain train of thought on the .0625 ratio of the skybox), but they will not stop. At one point, I had them moving together for one build, but after trying the spinner, (which does cause them to act strange ), they refused to converge again.

On the effect front, this was planned as an orbital laser that was to destroy a building at the end of a map. The problem with them inside the map, is that I can't the main beam (to be fired after the three smaller ones merge) big or fast enough. In the skybox, they don't line up with the map properly. Always appearing outside the map, and not over the exact center. I may have to shudders model the blast.

I appreciate the help though guys. I did learn one thing from this...moving func_ entities seem to HATE being in a skybox.

I do have a working copy without the spinner and it works fine. I don't know about the whole skybox thing but I am sure it would work if you worked on it for a few.

I have mine on a on/off switch with three lasers, one red, green, blue that converge into a single white beam (well, the RGB makes it look white).

Again, once you try parenting that puppy to the spinner, it goes nuts. I tried parenting the tracks (the three points) to a single func_brush entity and then parented the brush to the spinner in hopes that it would fix the parenting problem but it's still the same.

I had some web space but it would be a pain to re-set up for just one file. Drop me a line or give me your e-mail and I will send you the .vmf.

kdunivan@yahoo