Inserting a break (pause) in a script

[[GR] Cool K 0]

First of all - I'm new to this scripting - so my questions might have been answered before - but I haven't been able to find the answers anywhere so here it goes:

• I need to set a timed break/pause in a script. How do I do that?
  -I was looking at the "Set timer" function - setting it to xx seconds. But how do I query whether the time is up?
  
• I've been using a Black Hawk for insertion. I've sent it away by giving it a path to follow (actually the path has only one waypoint). The bird never hits the waypoint - but never mind that - I just want it to leave the area and fly away but it keeps coming back into the map following a circular path to hit the waypoint set on its path. How do I make the Black Hawk dissapear from the game world once it leaves the visual map area...? Will the "Hide Thing" remove the chopper completely - or will the game engine still be calculating its path? I don't want it to come back - so for me it would be perfect if it's gone forever...
  

Thanks guys - I'm looking forward to your replies...

[mrpibb 0]

Hey, just gonna give you the quick basics for you here.

First off, the vehicles and their paths are a tricky thing, the helos are even worse. I have a few missions involing a good bit of turning and I can tell you experimentation is key. If you put a path down that the helo cannot reach directly from where it was because the turn is too tight, it will spin endlessly attempting to reach that point. Also I always set the speed before each path, even if its the same speed as earlier. You will find that another factor is speed, the faster the helo flies the slower it turns. I might suggest that if you want the helo to turn before making its exit that you make a number of paths that gradually guide the helo through the turn, then make the last one or two paths before it starts fling strait more gradual as to allow the chopper to "flow" into the straitaway. Then the last path or can be at the edge of the map for its strait flight exit. You can hide the helo, but I suggest making sure it is out off all possible sight first(use a proximity vehicle script with a zone).

As far as your timer issue, you need a timer with you own name to it. Go to the area where the names of different groups and timers, etc are- sor, cant remember what part of Igor that is, but its in the script selection group. Select add timer, give it a name, then your set. You use one seperat group to set the timer to whatever lenthg you want,(make sure that group is active when you want it to be, defualt groups are always active unless you specify otherwise). Then make another group that has its trigger event set to timer expired, then select your new timer as the timer expired. Then, once your timer has expired the actions you setup in that group will be performed. Hope this all helps.

Later

[Jack57 0]

Cool K,Nov 10 2003, 21:35 ] I need to set a timed break/pause in a script. How do I do that?

-I was looking at the "Set timer" function - setting it to xx seconds. But how do I query whether the time is up?

The timer will tell the program when it has expired. If you create a new block with your Timer Expired as the trigger it will then execute the responses you set for it. As you are new to Igor I wouldn't go using new groups unless you need the timer to enable a new group. Just stick to the 'default' group. You can set new timers in your 1st Timer Expired block if you need to 'cascade' events.

How do I make the Black Hawk disappear from the game world once it leaves the visual map area...? Will the "Hide Thing" remove the chopper completely - or will the game engine still be calculating its path? I don't want it to come back - so for me it would be perfect if it's gone forever...

Again, as you are new to Igor, I would suggest you start out using only straight paths for the helicopter. Otherwise you run the risk of getting very frustrated with it. Once you have it mastered then you can move onto curved flight paths. If possible wait until the helicopter is out of sight of players before hiding it (a proximity trigger is best). If you want to use it again (eg; for extraction) it is best to use AbortPlanVehicle before hiding it - otherwise just hide it.

While you can hide the helicopter when it is 'out of bounds', if you want to use it again make sure you teleport it to an area that is not 'out of bounds' before showing it again. Many of the maps have usable areas that are outside the normally playable area that is useful for this.

Cheers, Jack

[[GR] Cool K 0]

Thx guys - the helicopter thing is working just fine... I haven't had time to play around with the timer stuff yet - but I'll give it a shot later tonight...