Renedering issues: fading and cloaking

#1 I'm just going to neaten up your formatting:

datablock StaticShapeData(healthball)
{
   category = "balls";
   shapeFile = "...........................";
   cloakTexture = "...........................";
};

function StaticShapeData::create( %data )
{
   %hball = new StaticShape()
   {
      datablock = %data;
   }

   return %hball;
}

[b]%hball.setCloaked(true);[/b]

Now, take a look at that last line which I marked in bold.

%hball is a local variable and you've called it outside of the function that it's declared in. To the engine, it's going to = 0. This is why your code is not working.

Try:

datablock StaticShapeData(healthball)
{
   category = "balls";
   shapeFile = "...........................";
   cloakTexture = "...........................";
};

function StaticShapeData::create( %data )
{
   %hball = new StaticShape()
   {
      datablock = %data;
   }

   %hball.setCloaked(true);
}

#2 If you need to call the setCloaked() function outside of the create method you will need to establish the ID of the healthball shape.

#3 Sorry for offending anyone on previous forum post and cheers for the help.

That explanation really cleans things up for thanks :)

Tanks again

Sean

#4 Basic Fading Tutorial for scene object [b]

Step 1: Create and export mesh

Step 2: Go into the server scripts folder and create a script to declare your shape, eg. (healthball)

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

datablock StaticShapeData(healthball)
{
category = "balls";
shapeFile = "...................";
};

///////////////////////////////////////////
Step 3: And just underneath that datablock declaration in the same script place the following staticshape
creation method
//////////////////////////////////////////

function StaticShapeData::create(%data)
{
%hball = new StaticShape()
{
datablock = %data;
}
%hball.startFade();
}

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The creation must match the staticshape creation method used by the editor to work.

(To check this go into the server/scripts folder of either the tutorial.base or demo folders. Then find the script called StaticShape.cs)

Generally the staticshape.cs is not in the tutorial.base server/scripts folder but there is no harm creating one.

If you are looking for some help as regards scripting this method just us the same one as the script in the 'demo/server/scripts' folder.

The staticshape.cs script inside the server/scripts folder doesnt match your script for the healthball word for word. The one the editor uses is just a base and then you use your own user defined one to overide it as seen with the comparison between the above healthball script and the editor staticshape script.

The reason i have a heavy emphasis on the staticshape creation is because it is the only one i know of that supports the fading and cloaking capability.

Step 4: Save the above the healthball script as healthball.cs in the same folder as the game.cs file and then place exec("healthball.cs"); in the game.cs in the server folder with similar looking code. It's about half way down.

Step 5: Once completed and both scripts are saved, run torque and go into mission editor and place your new healthball staticshape from the 'balls' category and your shape should fade.

For any info on various methods and functions go to;

http://tdn.garagegames.com/wiki/Torque_Console_Objects_9

This is sean, if anyone needs help give us a shout on the forums or by email.

Good Luck

#5 Cloaking tut will be coming soon