DTS Object Problems

#1 I think its better to have a nonanimated door and then open/close it with script, just set the pivotpoint where the hinge would be and then rotate it around its z axis.

#2 How do you set a pivot point???

#3 You do it in the modelingprogram, I have never used milkshape so I cant tell you how to do it there, but the pivotpoint is the center of the object, the center used when you rotate a model in milkshape, dont even know if its called pivot in milkshape, in 3dsmax it is.

#4 The reason for the Collision to work is because you cant animate the collision box.
This is a know problem... There is a door resource somewhere... I'll try to find it... just search for it...

Here you are:
www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=6780

#5 Thanks very much for the info.

#6 Does this problem of animating the collision box only exist for DTS's created in milkshape?

If I create it in 3ds max will it happen?

What about if I create a door out of a player class, will it still happen?

Regards,

#7 Its not necisarily a problem, just a different of approach... your thinking to do it in the 3d program with a sequence... you need to be doing it in script/code... Much simpler that way, slightly less memory intensive too.

That door resource is great

#8 I've used the principles of the door resource and made an animated door that swings open and closed. But I find the animation rather jerky. I felt that using proper animation looked better.

#9 Ahh... hmm I guess its theoritically possible to run the animation and at the end of the sequence switch out the dts with an open door object with a different collision box

#10 You could always modify the collision code to support animated collision meshes...

#11 Ben,

I've found an alternate method simply using two animated DTS objects. But out of interest, what would be involved in modifying the collision code? My understanding is that it would be a enormous change as it would affect all animated DTS objects (players and static). Is that correct?

#12 There are 2 door resources. tried either of them yet?

#13 It would be a "simple" matter of getting the collision meshes to move (that's not so hard) and getting displacement to work so they'd push stuff out of the way (probably harder). It's not a "follow instructions" fix but it's pretty feasible within the existing framework of Torque.

#14 Ian, I would be interested to know how you implemented two animated DTS objects. I agree that collision meshes should move with the animation as well.

#15 Ryan,

To implement switching dts objects I created a cs module called door.cs and called it from game.cs.

door.cs contains:

datablock StaticShapeData(DoorAClosed)
{
category = "Interactive";
itemselectable = true;
itemtype = 1;
// Door in closed position. Animation opens it.
shapefile = "~/data/shapes/doors/door1a.dts";
emap = FALSE;
// Name of other datablock containing opened door image.
otherblock = "DoorAOpen";
isdooropen = false;
};

datablock StaticShapeData(DoorAOpen)
{
category = "Interactive";
itemselectable = true;
itemtype = 1;
// Door in open position. Animation closes it.
shapefile = "~/data/shapes/doors/door1b.dts";
emap = FALSE;
// Name of datablock containing closed door image.
otherblock = "DoorAClosed";
isdooropen = true;
};

function Interact(%obj)
{
if (isobject(%obj))
{
switch (%obj.getdatablock().itemtype)
{
case 1: dooranimate(%obj);
}
}
}

function DoorAnimate(%obj)
{
if (isobject(%obj))
{
if (%obj.getdatablock().isdooropen)
{
// Play close animation
%obj.playthread(1,"close");
// Switch to closed door object
schedule(1500,0,"changeobject",%obj);
}
else
{
// Play open animation
%obj.playthread(2,"open");
// Switch to opened door object
schedule(1500,0,"changeobject",%obj);
}
}
}

function changeobject(%obj)
{
%location = %obj.gettransform();
%tx = getword(%location, 0);
%ty = getword(%location, 1);
%tz = getword(%location, 2);
%rx = getword(%location, 3);
%ry = getword(%location, 4);
%rz = getword(%location, 5);
%rd = getword(%location, 6);


%newdatablock = %obj.getdatablock().otherblock;
%scale = %obj.getscale();


new StaticShape() {
position = %tx SPC %ty SPC %tz;
rotation = %rx SPC %ry SPC %rz SPC %rd;
scale = %scale;
dataBlock = %newdatablock;
};
%obj.delete();

}

I will eventually release this as a resource but I'm still testing it. I also looked at switching just the datablocks, which does work, providing no animations have been played.

As for animated collision boxes, perhaps I'll look at implementing it when I understand a bit more about how the engine works.

Regards,

#16 Robert,

I examined and used both door resources but I didn't like them.