path_corner Last edited 2 weeks ago2024-11-06 14:25:44 UTC
path_corner - Point Entity
Apath_corner entity is used to compose a path. In its simplest form, a path_corner has a name and a Next stop target value that points to the next path_corner in the path. The path may either be open (with a start and an end) or looped (last entity points back to the first).Use the Path Tool in Hammer Editor/J.A.C.K. to quickly set up a path of
path_corners.As a rule of thumb, the
path_corner has barely any logic. Instead, all the logic of following the path, waiting, firing the targets, etc., are handled by entities making use of path_corners. These are:
- Apaches (
monster_apache) use it as its flight path. Theanglesare used to aim the craft in flight. - Ospreys (
monster_osprey) also use it as its flight path. Theanglesare used to aim the craft in flight, andspeedkeyvalue dictates which path is for flying by and which is for dropping grunts. - some monsters use it as its patrol path. The monsters must not be named.
- Cameras (
trigger_camera) can use Fire on Pass, Wait, and New train speed. - Gun targets (
func_guntarget) can use Fire on Pass and Wait. - Trains (
func_train) can use Fire on Pass, Wait, and New train speed, as well as all the flags.
func_tracktrain is not on the list for it uses the path_track instead.
Attributes
| Name | Keyvalue name | Description | Ap | Os | Mo | Ca | GT | Tr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | targetname |
Property used to identify entities. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Pitch Yaw Roll | angles |
Sets angles. The compass in Hammer/J.A.C.K. corresponds to Yaw. Used to aim Apaches/Ospreys in flight. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Next stop target | target |
Name of the next path_corner in the path. |
✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Fire On Pass | message |
Trigger this event when this path_corner is passed by an entity using the path. |
❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Wait here | wait |
Makes the entity wait for this number of seconds before moving to next path_corner. |
❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| New train speed | speed |
Set new speed for the entity once it passes this path_corner. |
❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
Flags
| Name | Value | Description | Ap | Os | Mo | Ca | GT | Tr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wait for retrigger | 1 | Entity will wait and will only continue when triggered. | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Teleport | 2 | Makes entity teleport to this path_corner. |
❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Fire once | 4 | The entity will only fire the path's "Fire On Pass" target once. | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Notes
- It's a good idea to establish a simple
path_cornernaming convention. E.g.mypath1_1,mypath1_2,mypath1_3... - The Path Tool in Hammer Editor/J.A.C.K. makes setting up a very large path a bit easier. However one may not be able to set some important attributes or the flags, so you may need to convert the paths to entities before continuing.
- Only unnamed monsters would follow
path_corners, and once they are interrupted, they would not proceed to the nextpath_corneranymore. It makes sense to think ofpath_corners as "patrol paths" for monsters, where anything that raises alert makes them stop their rounds.scripted_sequenceoffer more control and are more reliable. - A
trigger_changetargetcan be used to make an entity move to a specificpath_corner, regardless of whichpath_cornerthey're currently heading towards. [Ca/GT/Tr] - Alternatively, one can
trigger_changetargetapath_cornerdirectly to change that path's target. If there's an entity (monster, train, etc.) that had just passed thepath_cornerin question and was heading to the old target when the target change takes place, they would just continue on that old path. Only later entities that passed thepath_cornerin question would go to the new target.- More complex entity setups (e.g. a multi-level elevator) may require the use of both strategies (changing both the
path_cornerand thefunc_train's targets.)
- More complex entity setups (e.g. a multi-level elevator) may require the use of both strategies (changing both the
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6 Comments
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afaik, it's only happened once, but something to keep in mind if you're having trouble with path corners.
func_trainis entirely withinfunc_trainitself. It is therefore possible to make a valid path with other entities mixed in. I've successfully mixedpath_corner's withmomentary_doorslike this:target=m1wait=0spawnflags= Teleport (2)target=p2wait=0target=m2wait=0spawnflags= Teleport (2)target=p1wait=0momentary_door's around and vary the distance thefunc_trainhas to travel.It is a setup for an experiment where I can vary the time a
func_trainspends on one part of the map vs the other because it's being used to occlude LOS between me and a monster to test its AI schedule but that's off topic.But you can likewise use it to have dynamically timed sequence with the mom_doors and
func_train's off the playable areas.My theory is that
func_train's check the keyvalues of the entities it uses as paths (usuallypath_corner's) without checking that their classname is actuallypath_corner. You can therefore use any entity as long as it has keyvalues that concur with that ofpath_corner's: atarget, optionally await,message(fire on pass) orspeed, andspawnflagsthat don't conflict with that of apath_corner(therefore flag 1 will stop thefunc_train, flag 2 will teleport, etc.)[2024-09-22] Most monsters use "target" to patrol `path_corner`s. Should denote all attributes on whether they apply to [Apaches/Ospreys/Monsters/Trains].
[2024-09-23]
List of monsters that patrols path_corners in their target kvs:
targetattribute in their pages. For all others, also need to update thattargetdoes nothing.[2024-10-07]