:( we need negetive momentum :P (tractor beam!)

[Arisaya]

well, it seems:

"momentum1" works
"momentum0" works
"momentum(0)" doesn't work
"momentum(-0)" doesn't work
"momentum-1" doesn't work
"momentum(-1)" doesn't work

darn. I wanted that tractor beam. Will there be a future implementation of negative momentum values? (if possible? should be)

[F50]

It may possible to create a tractor beam as a usable device that causes a script to be triggered that:

1. determines a target

2. determines the direction that the object needs to move (this could be difficult->impossible). If this is impossible, make a suggestion to the "New Functions" thread, there is another mod idea that I have that would require this.

3. uses objIncVel to change the velocity of the object.

[Arisaya]

It may possible to create a tractor beam as a usable device that causes a script to be triggered that:

1. determines a target

2. determines the direction that the object needs to move (this could be difficult->impossible). If this is impossible, make a suggestion to the "New Functions" thread, there is another mod idea that I have that would require this.

3. uses objIncVel to change the velocity of the object.

a) that sounds complex, I have little tallent scripting stuff from scratch- I specialise in novelty ideas and graphics
b) I found anohter problem- you have to deal integer damage in order for an object to be affected by the momentum

[F50]

The only thing that is complex is (2). All others can be written in one line of code.

I'll see if I can write this Saturday.

EDIT: It appears that the only way to do (2) is to find the distance between two objects and create vectors of that distance from 1 to 360 and use enum to find the vector that ends up closest to the position of gPlayership. This is quite annoyting though, and yes it is complex.

[Arisaya]

not that i'd know how to do any of that

anyway, I don't want the script to work under "invoke" I wanted it to fire like a normal cannon.

[F50]

If there is some kind of <OnHit> event (perhaps <OnDestroy> would work?), then you can fire it like a normal cannon.

Otherwise, you can simulate it being an autoturret by also creating weapon's fire. It will seem like a regular omni to the player.

If you want a straight-firing tractor beam, then (2) is not necessary.

Also, the movement will occur *before* you create the weapons fire, so you'll either have to make a cool effect (one dummy weapon going from their ship to yours and, if you wish to cause damage, one weapons fire going from right beside their ship into their ship) or have a short range on the tractor beam.


As I said, its not much code (with the invoke), so I should be able to write it for you Saturday.

[Arisaya]

If there is some kind of <OnHit> event (perhaps <OnDestroy> would work?), then you can fire it like a normal cannon.

Otherwise, you can simulate it being an autoturret by also creating weapon's fire. It will seem like a regular omni to the player.

If you want a straight-firing tractor beam, then (2) is not necessary.

Also, the movement will occur *before* you create the weapons fire, so you'll either have to make a cool effect (one dummy weapon going from their ship to yours and, if you wish to cause damage, one weapons fire going from right beside their ship into their ship) or have a short range on the tractor beam.


As I said, its not much code (with the invoke), so I should be able to write it for you Saturday.

well, the tractor beam's effect is virutally instant, thus it does not matter too much. it is omni though.

[F50]

http://xelerus.de/index.php?s=mod&id=115

Currently you have to invoke it every time you want to move a ship, but that should be relatively easy to solve with some research.

[Arisaya]

http://xelerus.de/index.php?s=mod&id=115

Currently you have to invoke it every time you want to move a ship, but that should be relatively easy to solve with some research.

hmm... i don't think it would be too hard for george to re-implement the variable type, or change his parser slightly

[F50]

The mod fully works with a recurring timer...on the playership. I'll see about getting an AI corsair to use it Sunday. Technically, the Corsair won't *use* it, it'll be built into the ship's internal structure, but close enough. This may lag the game though. I might also use Periculi's mod to avoid redefining the playerships, but that's not guaranteed. If I'm feeling bored I might also change the linear search into a binary search.

Once the prototype is built, I don't think you'll have much trouble incorporating it into your own mod.

[Arisaya]

The tractor beam would be more effective on non-docked ships if it EMP'ed the target - at the moment it doesn't do much to them because they are already moving.

mm yeah good point... that EMP would also nicely allow you to remove the annoying side affect of doing armor damage...

I wanted to place this on a ship which would drag other ships in close to it and them maul them to bits with small close range guns.

[F50]

Remember that this uses only a script. There is no armor damage. In fact, there isn't even a weapon being used.

[F50]

the main thing is to make the tractor device only work at a certain range, that way you won't be able to pull a hostile ship without it's station seeing you.