"The Cathedral" another building project

[diafero]

Maybe if you force the camera to first-person mode and back again, you can avoid the long animated camera ride? I do not know how Ahra Pahts does this, but the link time is certainly not 7 seconds. But then, I mostly use first-person mode.

Btw, if you intend to keep this Python file, please make sure the filename starts with your age's four-letter code, or your age's name, to avoid collisions with other ages' Python files. Alternatively, we could call it xFakeLink and put it into the Offline KI, so every age can use it.

[D'Lanor]

Pahts does it exactly the same way. It seems there is no need to change the camera there.

If you want to make this a global file the timing parameters should not be hardcoded. Especially since the required delay seems to be variable. The parameters should be passed to Python by the prp file like this:

Alcscript Show Spoiler

Code: Select all

<object name>:
    logic:
        actions:
          - type: pythonfile
            tag: gospawn
            pythonfile:
                file: xFakeLink
                parameters:
                  - type: activator
                    ref: logicmod:<activator name>
                  - type: sceneobject
                    ref: scnobj:<destination object>
                    #fade out
                  - type: float
                    value: 1.5
                    #delay
                  - type: float
                    value: 0.5
                    #fade in
                  - type: float
                    value: 1.5
                  - type: sceneobject
                    ref: scnobj:<first person camera>
                  - type: sceneobject
                    ref: scnobj:<destination camera>
                  - type: responder
                    ref: <sound responder>


And xFakeLink.py could be:

Python Show Spoiler

Code: Select all

from Plasma import *
from PlasmaTypes import *
actRegion = ptAttribActivator(1, 'Region activator')
objSpawnPoint = ptAttribSceneobject(2, 'Spawn point object')
fltFadeOut = ptAttribFloat(3, 'Fade out time', 1.5)
fltDelay = ptAttribFloat(4, 'Delay time', 0.1)
fltFadeIn = ptAttribFloat(5, 'Fade in time', 1.5)
camFirstPerson = ptAttribSceneobject(6, 'First person camera (optional)')
camDestination = ptAttribSceneobject(7, 'Destination camera (optional)')
respLinkSound = ptAttribResponder(8, 'Fade in link sound (optional)')
class xFakeLink(ptModifier):

    def __init__(self):
        ptModifier.__init__(self)
        self.version = 1
        minor = 0
        print ('__init__%s v. %d.%d' % (self.__class__.__name__, self.version, minor))



    def OnNotify(self, state, id, events):
        if ((id == actRegion.id) and state):
            if (not PtWasLocallyNotified(self.key)):
                return
            PtFakeLinkAvatarToObject(PtGetLocalAvatar().getKey(), objSpawnPoint.value.getKey())
            PtFadeOut(fltFadeOut.value, 1)
            PtAtTimeCallback(self.key, fltFadeOut.value, 1)



    def OnTimer(self, id):
        if (id == 1):
            if (type(camFirstPerson.value) != type(None)): # To make it optional
                virtCam = ptCamera()
                virtCam.save(camFirstPerson.sceneobject.getKey())
            PtAtTimeCallback(self.key, fltDelay.value, 2)
        elif (id == 2):
            if (type(camDestination.value) != type(None)): # To make it optional
                virtCam = ptCamera()
                virtCam.save(camDestination.sceneobject.getKey())
            PtFadeIn(fltFadeIn.value, 0)
            if len(respLinkSound.value): # To make it optional
                respLinkSound.run(self.key)



# paste glue section here

All the added parameters are optional. Only the first 2 parameters (activator and destination object) are required. If age creators do not use the time parameters Python will use the defaults. If they skip the cameras or the sound responder that is fine too. Skipping a parameter in Alcscript can be done with: - type: skip

I have not tested this so don't put it in the Offline KI just yet.

I don't know if dendwaler wants to test this. If he is already happy with his current fake link this may just be a little too much.

[Sirius]

IMHO it would be simpler to set a camera region for the second location, that would use CutToPos and CutPOA flags (if I remember correctly). This is used for fakelinks such as the Gahreesen Nexus, or even going in and out of Gahreesen's buildings. This way no need to toggle first person, or fade for a long time.

[D'Lanor]

Or that yes. The KISS principle.

[dendwaler]

Thx , for allthe advices,
I really appreciate this.
I will try both, the new script from d lanor and the suggestion of sirius.
And i try my own idea with a little animation , something like the falling man between stars for a few seconds.

Possibly It will take a few days, because i have little time this week, before i report.

[dendwaler]

@D"Lanor,

I used your new pythonfile with this script:

Code: Select all

Rgn_SpawnFromHere:
    logic:
        modifiers:
          - name: Rgn_SpawnFromHere
            flags:
              - multitrigger
            activators:
              - type: objectinvolume
                triggers:
                  - enter
            conditions:
              - type: volumesensor
                satisfied: true
                direction: enter
            actions:
              - type: pythonfile
                ref: $gospawn
        actions:
          - type: pythonfile
            tag: gospawn
            pythonfile:
                file: xFakeLink
                parameters:
                  - type: activator
                    ref: logicmod:Rgn_SpawnFromHere
                  - type: sceneobject
                    ref: scnobj:SpawnToMe
                    #fade out
                  - type: float
                    value: 1.5
                    #delay
                  - type: float
                    value: 4
                    #fade in
                  - type: float
                    value: 1.5
                  - type: sceneobject
                    ref: scnobj:Cam_Link
                  - type: sceneobject
                    ref: scnobj:Cam_dest
                  - type: responder
                    ref: SE_Link

SE_Link:      
   type: soundemit
   sound:
      flags:
         - is3dsound
         - localonly
      file: Cath_Linksound
      volume: 1
      minfdist: 85
        maxfdist: 135   
      type: SoundFX



It works but .......
The delay time seems to be a " pause" instead.
After 4 seconds of black screen the cam follows the avatar again from the beginning of his trip.

The sound is the normal linksound and not he sound i refer to.

When the avatar arrives the destination camera stays at the defined point wherever the avatar goes.
I can't see anything of the first cam named Cam_Link in the script.

When i don't make camera objects in blender then the avatar links during the delay time (no pause in this case)

It onfuses me

[D'Lanor]

Cameras confuse the heek out of me as well. I have no idea what the "correct" camera settings are. This script just gives you options to experiment with. The avatar always links right at the beginning. Everything else is just to tweak the visuals (and audio effects). In the first version the avatar also linked at the beginning. It should not act differently.

Regarding the sound, you don't have a responder so it doesn't play. You cannot reference a sound emitter directly like that. The linking sound is built into the fake link. It cannot be changed. That sound responder is meant to play the linking sound a second time when you "arrive" after the delay.

I suggest you revert to the first version and try Sirius' suggestion. In any case it appears that you'll have to find "correct" camera settings for the destination camera in order to avoid that long trip.

[Jojon]

Not sure if this is relevant, but IIRC you'll need to specify the "cutpos" and "cutpoa" flags in the camera brain AND in a block that defines the transition, for the thing to work. Like this:

Code: Select all

my_camera:
    camera:
        transitions:
          - cutpos: true
            cutpoa: true
        brain:
            flags:
              - cutpos
              - cutpoa


(Hmm... Noticing, just now, how the block of parameters is one list item, under "transitions:", which is indeed plural, I find myself wondering whether one can give a camera several named transitions and specify which to use, when switching...)

[dendwaler]

I tried today in many ways.
Its true that when you are in first person before linking , its an instead warp.
Stupidly i have overwritting the working version with a not working one.

I did also something else with a great effect.
I modelled a torus and textured it on the inside with the same texture as the star part of the gate.

Then i placed a fixed camera on the inside of the torus.
Next i rotated the torusring with a constant speed.
Walking through the gate activated the camera and its is like tunnel of stars coming to you.
After a few seconds it linked to the desired place.
Unfortunately not yet with the warp.
I hope to get this effect working., because its realy great.

[dendwaler]

Unfortunately i still have not found the correct settings for the warp.

I was bored with it , so here is a little update wih a candle and a special sprite with an integrated flame i made for it .
It worked out pretty well.