Search Light script: help needed

[NightJay0044]

Hi , I'm trying to create a searchlight script that will make the searchlight in ArmA rotate back and forth slowly.

But this script I have is not full proof, I'm not much of a scripter but I get the idea...So here is my try.

_guard1 = _this select 0

#target1
_Guard1 dowatch look1

~2

goto "target2"

#Target2
_Guard1 dowatch look2

~2

goto "target1"

Exit

What I did is placed to invisible targets on the map and had the soldier target those two targets to simulate the searchlight to go back and forth. But this doesn't work. The results are, the light targets the 1st target but then it goes crazy and just moves back and forth fast in the middle of both targets doesn't even target the targets really any more.

So how can I make a script to rotate the light slowly? I know there is one out there or it is possible. I just don't rememember where it was...thanks..

[Deadfast]

I think the best you could do would be to use just one target which you'd simply move around to the left and right to have the searchlight turn after it


Let me know if you need me to write an example, but it won't be in SQS

[NightJay0044]

yeah could you write a little script like that sqf is ok. I don't know how to make it move.

[Deadfast]

OK, done:

Code: [Select]

_light = this select 0;

_target = _light modelToWorld [0,10,0];
_dir = getDir _light;

_light doWatch _target;

while {(alive _light) && (alive (gunner _light))} do
{
_i = 0;
while {_i < 300} do
{
_target = [(_target select 0) + ((cos _dir) * 0.1), (_target select 1) + ((sin _dir) * 0.1), _target select 2];
sleep 0.05;
_i = _i + 1;
_light doWatch _target;
hint format ["%1", _target];
};
_i = 0;
while {_i < 300} do
{
_target = [(_target select 0) - ((cos _dir) * 0.1), (_target select 1) - ((sin _dir) * 0.1), _target select 2];
sleep 0.05;
_i = _i + 1;
_light doWatch _target;
hint format ["%1", _target];
};
};


Made it a little better by using doWatch *position* so you don't need the dummy target anymore.


It's thrown together really fast so if you don't understand it I'll comment it out tomorrow

[Dajan]

@deadfast
I know this was for Nightjay, but could Ibeg you to make a comment it anyway? I have a real hard time learning scripting and commented scripts are a major source of inspiriation for me. I just wish more people would do it.
TIA

[Deadfast]

Sure, I usually do comment my scripts, but this was written right before the midnight and to tell you the truth not even I was sure what I was doing

Actually looking back at it I even made some mistakes 

Code: [Select]

_light = this select 0; //The light to work with

_target = _light modelToWorld [0,10,0]; //Create a position 10 meters in front (Y axis) and to the left (-X) of the light
_dir = getDir _light; //Get directions the light is facing (for trigonometry later)


while {(alive _light) && (alive (gunner _light))} do //Loop while both the light and its "gunner" is alive
{
_i = 0;
while {_i < 300} do //Moving target pos to the right
{
_target = [(_target select 0) + ((cos _dir) * 0.1), (_target select 1) + ((sin _dir) * 0.1), 0]; //Move target to the right (relative to the light)
sleep 0.05;
_i = _i + 1;
_light doWatch _target; //Make the light face the position
};
_i = 0;
while {_i < 300} do //Moving back to the left
{
_target = [(_target select 0) - ((cos _dir) * 0.1), (_target select 1) - ((sin _dir) * 0.1), 0];
sleep 0.05;
_i = _i + 1;
_light doWatch _target;
};
};


[F2kSel]

Could someone explain how to use this script as I carn't seem to get anything to happen.


I'm trying to get it to work in Arma2 so that could be the problem, when I use the following command I get an error [unit] execVM "searchlight.sqf"  when placed in the init string of the unit.


Can Anyone help please.