Scripting Tutorial 8 - Ion Cannon and Nuke (from C&C '95)

[Ransom]

NOTICE: THIS TUTORIAL MAY BE OUTDATED! PLEASE READ: http://forum.mtasa.com/viewtopic.php?f=91&t=22270

Please post your comments about tutorial 8 scripts below. Thanks.

The two seperate scripts for the ion cannon and nuke are posted below respectively. All of these two script's creation/commenting/video recording was done by me. So if you have any questions I'll be more than happy to answer them for you. ENJOY!

[Ransom]

NOTICE: THIS SCRIPT IS OUTDATED FROM THE CURRENT SCRIPTING SYSTEM.

http://community.mtasa.com/index.php?p= ... ails&id=71

Tutorial 8a: Ion Cannon


Start defining varibles, including a players array

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1. root = getRootElement ()
2. players = {}
3.  
4. outputChatBox ( "Ion cannon by Ransom" )
5. ion_rotx = 0
6. ion_loops = 0
7. ion_explosionTimer = 0
8. ion_cannonActivated = false
9. ion_cancelActivation = false
10. ion_beamSize = 5
11. ion_beamFlareSize = 5
12. players = getElementsByType ( "player" )

Give all players on the server access to the weapons

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1. addEventHandler ( "onResourceStart", root, "ResourceStartIonCannon" )
2. function ResourceStartIonCannon ( name, root )
3. if name ~= getThisResource() then return end
4.     for k,v in players do
5.     -- for all players in the "players" array
6.     bindKey ( v, "f", "down", "placeIonCannonBeacon" )
7.     -- bind the key f for triggering the ion cannon
8.     end
9. end
10.  
11. addEventHandler ( "onPlayerJoin", root, "ionPlayerJoin" )
12. function ionPlayerJoin ()
13.     bindKey ( source, "f", "down", "placeIonCannonBeacon" )
14.     --if a player joins after the resource loaded, bind their f key to trigger the ion cannon also
15. end

When the ion cannon key (f) is pressed, show the mouse cursor that will allow the triggering of the onPlayerClick function

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1. function placeIonCannonBeacon ( player, key, state )
2.     if ( ion_cannonActivated == false ) and ( ion_cancelActivation == false ) and ( nuke_cancelActivation == false )
3.     and ( nuke_cannonActivated == false ) then
4.     --These conditions prevent triggering the same weapon twice or triggering the other weapon at the same time.
5.     --Both weapons cannot be triggered because explosions are stretched to the limit, explosions would be random
6.     defineLaunchType = key
7.     --This is used later on the onPlayerClick function to tell it what weapon to launch
8.     showCursor ( player, true )
9.     ion_cancelActivation = true
10.     else
11.         if ion_cancelActivation == true then
12.         showCursor ( player, false )
13.         end
14.         --Prevents cursor from getting messed up if cursor is show for f or g and the opposite key is hit
15.     ion_cancelActivation = false
16.     --ion_cancelactivation is true when the cursor is showing. This is necessary along with asking if the actual
17.     --weapon is active to prevent problems with the cursor and weapon activation between both weapons and themselves
18.             if ion_cannonActivated == true then
19.             outputChatBox ( "Ion cannon has already been activated", activator )
20.             else
21.             outputChatBox ( "Cannot activate ion cannon and nuke at the same time", activator )
22.             end
23.             --This statement says that if the ion cannon is already in use, display a meassage about it being in
24.             --use on f press. Else, if the above conditions were not satisifed and the nuke is not active, it meant
25.             --the ion cannon was active. Therefore, display the other message that both weapons cannot be used at
26.             --the same time.
27.     end
28. end

When the player clicks the mouse cursor, decide if the ion cannon is supposed to be launched and if so, set up the launch

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1. addEventHandler ( "onPlayerClick", root, "playerClick" )
2. function playerClick ( button, state, clickedElement, x, y, z )
3.     if defineLaunchType == "f" then
4.     --If the player clicked, we check if the key is equal to f or g. This will dictate which onPlayerClick function
5.     --commences between the ion cannon and nuke scripts
6.     ion_cancelActivation = false
7.     --Since the weapon is now in use, you have no chance to abort by pressing the key again, therefore this is false
8.     defineLaunchType = nil
9.     --This must be reset to nil so it will not fire the ion cannon next time on click if g was pressed instead of f
10.     --(which triggers nuke)
11.     ion_beaconx = x
12.     ion_beacony = y
13.     ion_beaconz = z
14.     --Set the ion cannon beacon (detonation spot) coordinates to the spot the mouse cursor clicked on the game map
15.     local playerz, playerz, playerz = getElementPosition ( source )
16.     --For the above line, getElementPosition outputs 3 varibles, but I only want z so I overwrote 1 varible called
17.     --playerz as the function went through and assigned the XYZ values to varible x, varible y, and varible z
18.     --respectively.
19.             if ( button == "left" ) and ( state == "down" ) and ( ion_cannonActivated == false ) then
20.             --When the left mouse button is pressed down (not when released), if ion cannon is not active then
21.             ion_cannonActivated = true
22.             --Set this varible to true, which will be used to avoid double launches & double weapon usage
23.             showCursor ( source, false )
24.             --Weapon beacon was chosen and the launch is initiating to that point. Hide cursor.
25.             ionBeam = createMarker ( ion_beaconx, ion_beacony, ion_beaconz, "checkpoint", 5, 255, 255, 255, 255 )
26.             ionBeam2 = createMarker ( ion_beaconx, ion_beacony, ion_beaconz, "checkpoint", 5, 255, 255, 255, 255 )
27.             ionBeam3 = createMarker ( ion_beaconx, ion_beacony, ion_beaconz, "checkpoint", 5, 255, 255, 255, 255 )
28.             ionSecondaryBeam = createMarker ( ion_beaconx, ion_beacony, ion_beaconz, "checkpoint", 5, 255, 255,
29.             255, 255 )
30.             ionSecondaryBeam2 = createMarker ( ion_beaconx, ion_beacony, ion_beaconz, "checkpoint", 5, 255, 255,
31.             255, 255 )
32.             ionSecondaryBeam3 = createMarker ( ion_beaconx, ion_beacony, ion_beaconz, "checkpoint", 5, 255, 255,
33.             255, 255 )
34.             ionBeamFlare = createMarker ( ion_beaconx, ion_beacony, ion_beaconz, "corona", 5, 255, 255, 255, 255 )
35.             --create six markers at the beacon point. The marker checkpoint will extend into the sky, but will end
36.             --at the given z. 6 markers are used to ensure the beam looks full as I rapidly delete and recreate the
37.             --markers in the next functions.
38.             setTimer ( "ionExplosion", 50, 1 )  
39.             setTimer ( "ionShot", 100, 20 )
40.             setTimer ( "ionShot2", 150, 20 )
41.             --Trigger the functions that will create the ion cannon shot and explosion imitation. 50ms 1 time, 100ms
42.             --20 times, and 150ms 20 times respectively.
43.             else
44.             ion_activator = getPlayerFromNick ( source )
45.             showCursor ( source, false )
46.             --Makes sure the cursor will not show again for detonation unless the ion cannon is not active.
47.             --Activator is used to display output messages in the other functions that activations/launches
48.             --arent possible.
49.             end
50.     end
51. end

Create the illusion of a beam coming from space and gradually increasing in size (beam strike power)

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1. function ionShot ()
2.     ion_beamSize = ion_beamSize + 1
3.     setMarkerSize ( ionBeam, ion_beamSize )
4.     setMarkerSize ( ionBeam2, ion_beamSize )
5.     setMarkerSize ( ionBeam3, ion_beamSize )
6.     if ( ion_beamSize == 6 ) then  
7.     setTimer ( "ionShotFlare", 3, 150 )
8.     end
9.     --The first 3 markers making the ion beam are gradually increased at +10 in 1 second. When the function has
10.     --looped 6 times (6/10 of a second), the flare (again, its a corona marker but I call it a flare) grow
11.     --function is triggered.
12. end
13.  
14. function ionShot2 ()
15.     setMarkerSize ( ionSecondaryBeam, ion_beamSize )
16.     setMarkerSize ( ionSecondaryBeam2, ion_beamSize )
17.     setMarkerSize ( ionSecondaryBeam3, ion_beamSize )
18.     --These beams increase at a different rate, since beamSize is changing more rapidly in the ionShot function.
19.     --They stay a little smaller than the main 3 markers and assist the "grow" look while keeping the beam visible
20.     --while the markers change size.
21. end
22.  
23. function ionShotFlare ()
24.     ion_beamFlareSize = ion_beamFlareSize + 1
25.     setMarkerSize ( ionBeamFlare, ion_beamFlareSize )
26.     --Every 3ms for 150 loops, the flare size increases. This makes a large glow that appears to be caused by the
27.     --beam's light
28. end
29.  
30. function ionExplosion ()
31.     if ion_explosionTimer == 0 then
32.     --We set this value when the script started. I do so I can keep looping through this function without
33.     --resetting it.
34.     setTimer ( "ionExplosion", 170, 18 )
35.     --Trigger this function to initiate 18 times in 170ms intervals.
36.     ion_explosionTimer = 1
37.     --Set the explosion timer flag to 1 so it is not done again with the looping (could have been true/false)
38.     else
39.     r = ion_beamSize --min/max blast radius: 1.5-28
40.     --r will serve as our explosion radius. For the ion cannon, the explosions coming from the ion cannon
41.     --will gradually increase distance from the center point in a circular motion, since I defined r as
42.     --ion_beamSize, which is gradully increasing in size in the ionShot function at the same time.
43.     angleup = randInt(0, 35999)/100
44.     --Choose a random angle. A value between 0 and 35999 is divided by 100 because we want
45.     --to have 2 random decimal places for as well, rather than just a whole integer.
46.     explosionxcoord = r*math.cos(angleup) + ion_beaconx
47.     explosionycoord = r*math.sin(angleup) + ion_beacony
48.     --The x and y coordinates of the explosion will occur at a max radius of r away from the nuke beacon,
49.     --in a circular shape. This is a fundamental, simple circle geometry formula.
50.     createExplosion ( explosionxcoord, explosionycoord, ion_beaconz, 7 )
51.     --An explosion of type 7 is created, which is the tied as the largest with some others it is
52.     --an aircraft explosion.
53.     ion_loops = ion_loops + 1
54.             if ion_loops == 16 then
55.             --on the 16th loop of this function
56.             ion_beamFlareSize = 200
57.             --This triggers the flare to grow +50 immediately right as the beam is ending to create a little
58.             --larger flash, just for effect as the beam is done
59.             setTimer ( "ionFlareFade", 5, 200 )
60.             --The flarefade function is set to occur 200 times at 5ms to set the flare size to 0 quickly, as
61.             --the beam has disappeared
62.             elseif ion_loops == 18 then
63.             --on the 18th loop of this function
64.             ion_explosionTimer = 0
65.             --Set the explosion timer to 0 for the next ion cannon launch, since this is the last loop
66.             ion_loops = 0
67.             --Set to 0 to trigger these events directly above on next ion cannon launch as well
68.             ion_beamSize = 5
69.             --Set to 0 to trigger the functions properly on the next ion cannon launch
70.             destroyElement ( ionBeam )
71.             destroyElement ( ionSecondaryBeam )
72.             destroyElement ( ionBeam2 )
73.             destroyElement ( ionSecondaryBeam2 )
74.             destroyElement ( ionBeam3 )
75.             destroyElement ( ionSecondaryBeam3 )
76.             --Destroy all the created checkpoint marker elements that made the beam
77.             end
78.     end
79. end
80.  
81. function ionFlareFade ()  
82.         setMarkerSize ( ionBeamFlare, ion_beamFlareSize )
83.         ion_beamFlareSize = ion_beamFlareSize - 1
84.             if ion_beamFlareSize == 0 then
85.             destroyElement ( ionBeamFlare )
86.             ion_cannonActivated = false
87.             ion_beamFlareSize = 5
88.             end
89. --Each time the function loops, the flare gets -1 smaller. When it has a size of 0 and becomes invisible, it needs
90. --to be deleted for the next ion cannon launch. No elements should stay created as they will pile up and eventually
91. --crash you or the server. Finally, ion_cannonActivated is false, meaning the ion cannon is inactive and another
92. --weapon use can be performed.
93. end

[Ransom]

Tutorial 8b: Nuke


Start defining varibles, including a players array

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1. root = getRootElement ()
2. players = {}
3.  
4. outputChatBox ( "Nulear Bomb by Ransom" )
5. --nuke_rotX = 0
6. nuke_loops = 0
7. nuke_explosionTimer = 0
8. nuke_cloudRotationAngle = 0
9. nuke_explosionLimiter = false
10. nuke_cannonActivated = false
11. nuke_cancelActivation = false
12. players = getElementsByType ( "player" )

Give all players on the server access to the weapons

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1. addEventHandler ( "onResourceStart", root, "ResourceStartNuke" )
2. function ResourceStartNuke ( name, root )
3. if name ~= getThisResource() then return end
4.     for k,v in players do
5.     -- for all players in the "players" array
6.     bindKey ( v, "g", "down", "placeNukeBeacon" )
7.     -- bind the key g for triggering the nuke
8.     end
9. end
10.  
11. addEventHandler ( "onPlayerJoin", root, "nukePlayerJoin" )
12. function nukePlayerJoin ()
13.     bindKey ( source, "g", "down", "placeNukeBeacon" )
14.     --if a player joins after the resource loaded, bind their g key to trigger the nuke also
15. end

When the nuke key (g) is pressed, show the mouse cursor that will allow the triggering of the onPlayerClick function

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1. function placeNukeBeacon ( player, key, state )
2.     if ( nuke_cannonActivated == false ) and ( nuke_cancelActivation == false ) and
3.     ( ion_cancelActivation == false ) and ( ion_cannonActivated == false ) then
4.     --These conditions prevent triggering the same weapon twice or triggering the other weapon at the same time.
5.     --Both weapons cannot be triggered because explosions are stretched to the limit, explosions would be random.
6.     defineLaunchType = key
7.     --This is used later on the onPlayerClick function to tell it what weapon to launch
8.     showCursor ( player, true )
9.     nuke_cancelActivation = true
10.     else
11.         if nuke_cancelActivation == true then
12.         showCursor ( player, false )
13.         end
14.         --Prevents cursor from getting messed up if cursor is show for f or g and the opposite key is hit
15.     nuke_cancelActivation = false
16.     --nuke_cancelactivation is true when the cursor is showing. This is necessary along with asking if the actual
17.     --weapon is active to prevent problems with the cursor and weapon activation between both weapons and themselves
18.             if nuke_cannonActivated == true then
19.             outputChatBox ( "Nuke has already been activated", activator )
20.             else
21.             outputChatBox ( "Cannot activate ion cannon and nuke at the same time", activator )
22.             end
23.             --This statement says that if the nuke is already in use, display a meassage about it being in use on g
24.         --press else, if the above conditions were not satisifed and the nuke is not active, it meant the
25.         --ioncannon was active. Therefore, display the other message that both weapons cannot be used at the
26.         --same time.
27.     end
28. end

When the player clicks the mouse cursor, decide if the nuke is supposed to be launched and if so, set up the launch

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1. addEventHandler ( "onPlayerClick", root, "playerClickNuke" )
2. function playerClickNuke ( button, state, clickedElement, x, y, z )
3.     if defineLaunchType == "g" then
4.     --If the player clicked, we check if the key is equal to f or g. This will dictate which onPlayerClick function
5.     --commences between the ion cannon and nuke scripts
6.     nuke_cancelActivation = false
7.     --Since the weapon is now in use, you have no chance to abort by pressing the key again, therefore this is false
8.     defineLaunchType = nil
9.     --This must be reset to nil so it will not fire the nuke next time on click if f was pressed instead of g
10.     --(which triggers ion)
11.     nuke_beaconx = x
12.     nuke_beacony = y
13.     nuke_beaconz = z
14.     --Set the nuke beacon (detonation spot) coordinates to the spot the mouse cursor clicked on the game map
15.     local playerz, playerz, playerz = getElementPosition ( source )
16.     --I put a z height limit on the nuke, because the visual image of the bomb dropping can be broken if it is set
17.     --to start an explosion/visually show object deletion in a mid-air point. To prevent this, I have assigned a max
18.     --nuke height that is a little bit more than the z height of the player who activated it. There is a function to
19.     --grab the actual z height at an X,Y position that I will implement later. For the above line,
20.     --getElementPosition outputs 3 varibles, but I only want z so I overwrote 1 varible called playerz as the
21.     --function went through and assigned the XYZ values to varible x, varible y, and varible z respectively.
22.     nuke_maxBeamHeight = playerz + 2
23.             if nuke_beaconz > nuke_maxBeamHeight then
24.             nuke_beaconz = playerz + 3
25.             end
26.             --resets the nuke beacon z height if it is more than +3 above player z height
27.                 if ( button == "left" ) and ( state == "down" ) and ( nuke_cannonActivated == false ) then
28.                 --When the left mouse button is pressed down (not when released), if nuke is not active then
29.                 nuke_cannonActivated = true
30.                 --Set this varible to true, which will be used to avoid double launches & double weapon usage
31.                 showCursor ( source, false )
32.                 --Weapon beacon was chosen and the launch is initiating to that point. Hide cursor.
33.                 setTimer ( "nukeExplosion", 2700, 1 )
34.                 setTimer ( "nukeShot", 500, 1 )
35.                 --Trigger these two functions that will drop and explode the nuke. Nuke drop triggers in 500ms,
36.                 --1 time only. The explosion is triggered at 2700ms which is when the nuke should be hitting
37.                 --the ground on the game map, it is also triggered 1 time.
38.                 else
39.                 activator = getPlayerFromNick ( source )
40.                 showCursor ( source, false )
41.                 --Makes sure the cursor will not show again for detonation unless the nuke is not active. Activator
42.                 --is used to display output messages in the other functions that activations/launches arent possible
43.                 end
44.     end
45. end

Move 3 objects according to the beacon/detonation point to give the appearance of a falling nuclear bomb to the desired point

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1. function nukeShot ()
2.     nuke1 = createObject ( 16340, nuke_beaconx, nuke_beacony, nuke_beaconz + 200 )
3.     nuke2 = createObject ( 3865, nuke_beaconx + 0.072265, nuke_beacony + 0.013731, nuke_beaconz + 196.153122 )
4.     nuke3 = createObject ( 1243, nuke_beaconx + 0.060547, nuke_beacony - 0.017578, nuke_beaconz + 189.075554 )
5.     --The 3 objects that make the nucelar bomb are called nuke1, nuke2, and nuke3. Math is done to piece the
6.     --bomb together correctly at any given XYZ detonation coordinates.
7.     setObjectRotation ( nuke1, math.deg(0.245437), math.deg(0), math.deg(3.150001) )
8.     setObjectRotation ( nuke2, math.deg(1.938950), math.deg(0), math.deg(-1.575) )
9.     setObjectRotation ( nuke3, math.deg(-1.767145), math.deg(0), math.deg(0) )
10.     --The objects must also be rotated after they are placed in the correct XYZ positions to get the bomb shape
11.     --I created in the map editor at any given XYZ beacon/detonation point.
12.     shotpath = nuke_beaconz - 200
13.     moveObject ( nuke1, 5000, nuke_beaconx, nuke_beacony, shotpath, 259.9 ) --, 259
14.     moveObject ( nuke2, 5000, nuke_beaconx + 0.072265, nuke_beacony + 0.013731, shotpath - 3.846878, 259.9 )
15.     moveObject ( nuke3, 5000, nuke_beaconx + 0.060547, nuke_beacony - 0.017578, shotpath - 10.924446, 259.9 )
16.     --To make all 3 pieces of the bomb stay together in the exact same shape, they must descend directly down.
17.     --nuke2 and nuke3 drop paths are altered slightly to be directly below their created positions in the air.
18. end

Create the imitation of a nuclear explosion

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1. function nukeExplosion ()
2.     if nuke_explosionTimer == 0 then
3.     --We set this value when the script started. I do so I can keep looping through this function without
4.     --resetting it.
5.     setTimer ( "nukeExplosion", 170, 35 )
6.     --Trigger this function to initiate 35 times in 170ms intervals.
7.     nuke_explosionTimer = 1
8.     --Set the explosion timer flag to 1 so it is not done again with the looping (could have been true/false)
9.     else
10.     nuke_loops = nuke_loops + 1
11.     --tells us how many times this function as been run through, which will be 35 in total.
12.     r = randInt(1.5, 4.5)
13.     --r will serve as our explosion radius. It can be a random value between 1.5 and 4.5 from the center of
14.     --the circle. The math for this is below.
15.     angleup = randInt(0, 35999)/100
16.     --Choose a random angle. A value between 0 and 35999 is divided by 100 because we want
17.     --to have 2 random decimal places for as well, rather than just a whole integer.
18.     Explosionxcoord = r*math.cos(angleup) + nuke_beaconx
19.     Explosionycoord = r*math.sin(angleup) + nuke_beacony
20.     --The x and y coordinates of the explosion will occur at a max radius of 4.5 away from the nuke beacon,
21.     --in a circular shape. This is a fundamental, simple circle geometry formula.
22.         if nuke_loops == 1 then
23.         nuke_nukeCloud = nuke_beaconz
24.         createExplosion ( Explosionxcoord, Explosionycoord, nuke_nukeCloud, 7 )
25.         elseif nuke_loops == 2 then
26.         nuke_nukeCloud = nuke_beaconz + 4
27.         createExplosion ( Explosionxcoord, Explosionycoord, nuke_nukeCloud, 7 )
28.         --Up until 20 loops, a pillar of explosions is created with the above. 7 is the explosion type,
29.         --which is tied with a couple others as the largest. 7 is a aircraft explosion.
30.         elseif nuke_loops > 20 then
31.         nuke_cloudRotationAngle = nuke_cloudRotationAngle + 22.5
32.             if nuke_explosionLimiter == false then
33.             nuke_cloudRadius = 7
34.             Explosionxcoord = nuke_cloudRadius*math.cos(nuke_cloudRotationAngle) + nuke_beaconx
35.             Explosionycoord = nuke_cloudRadius*math.sin(nuke_cloudRotationAngle) + nuke_beacony
36.             createExplosion ( Explosionxcoord, Explosionycoord, nuke_nukeCloud, 7 )
37.             nuke_explosionLimiter = true
38.             elseif nuke_explosionLimiter == true then
39.             nuke_explosionLimiter = false
40.             end
41.         nuke_cloudRadius2 = 16
42.         Explosionxcoord2 = nuke_cloudRadius2*math.cos(nuke_cloudRotationAngle) + nuke_beaconx
43.         Explosionycoord2 = nuke_cloudRadius2*math.sin(nuke_cloudRotationAngle) + nuke_beacony
44.         createExplosion ( Explosionxcoord2, Explosionycoord2, nuke_nukeCloud, 7 )
45.         else
46.         nuke_nukeCloud = nuke_nukeCloud + 4
47.         createExplosion ( Explosionxcoord, Explosionycoord, nuke_nukeCloud, 7 )
48.         end
49.         --Since explosions are pushed to the limit, I have to make sure I can use the maximum amount without
50.         --having explosions not appear. This required me to have the above explosions run every other time
51.         --to create a mushroom cloud inner part (a circular area defined above), while at the same time creating
52.         --an outter circle that also gave the look of a "full" mushroom cloud that won't have obvious visual holes.
53.             if nuke_loops == 1 then
54.             --On the first loop, the bright flare (as I call it, actually a corona marker), is created and
55.             --increases in size.
56.             nukeExplosionFlare = createMarker ( nuke_beaconx, nuke_beacony, nuke_beaconz, "corona", 0, 255, 255,
57.             255, 255 )
58.             --The flare has an inital size of 0, and the R, G, B colors are 255, making it white.
59.             nuke_flareSize = 0
60.             setTimer ( "nukeFlareGrow", 1, 200 )
61.             --On the first loop, set the nuke_flareSize varible to 0, which will dictate the flare (corona) size
62.             --in the nukeFlareGrow function below as it is looped. The timer initiates the function 200 times,
63.             --every 1ms (so it takes 1/5 of a second to loop 200 times, thus making the bright flare).
64.             elseif nuke_loops == 35 then
65.             nuke_explosionTimer = 0
66.             setTimer ( "nukeFlareFade", 1, 200 )
67.             nuke_loops = 0
68.             end
69.                 --When this function has looped 35 times, the nuke has finished exploding and the flare must begin
70.                 --fading to look like it disappears naturally. Nuke loops is reset for the next nuke launch.
71.     end
72. end
73.  
74. function nukeFlareGrow ()
75.         setMarkerSize ( nukeExplosionFlare, nuke_flareSize )
76.         nuke_flareSize = nuke_flareSize + 1
77.             if nuke_flareSize == 200 then
78.             destroyElement ( nuke1 )
79.             destroyElement ( nuke2 )
80.             destroyElement ( nuke3 )
81.             end
82.             --The flare becomes +1 larger on each loop, and the nuke is destroyed when the flare reaches maximum
83.             --size. It is triggered here as this is the point where it is safest to assume the objects are out
84.             --of site.
85. end
86.  
87. function nukeFlareFade ()
88.     nuke_flareSize = nuke_flareSize - 1
89.     setMarkerSize ( nukeExplosionFlare, nuke_flareSize )
90.     if nuke_flareSize == 0 then
91.     destroyElement ( nukeExplosionFlare )
92.     nuke_cannonActivated = false
93.     end
94.     --Each time the function loops, the flare gets -1 smaller. When it has a size of 0 and becomes invisible,
95.     --it needs to be deleted for the next nuke launch. No elements should stay created as they will pile up and
96.     --eventually crash you or the server. Finally, nuke_cannonActivated is false, meaning the nuke is inactive
97.     --and another weapon use can be performed.
98. end

[Azu]

Woot. First to reply. Finally! Anyways, would this be possible to do without click. Say, you goto Area 52 and click on a spot on map or something. if you get what I mean.

[Hedning]

Haha very nice

[adamale]

Wow. Looks great!

Fantastic idea ; )

[Ransom]

Woot. First to reply. Finally! Anyways, would this be possible to do without click. Say, you goto Area 52 and click on a spot on map or something. if you get what I mean.

Well theres many different ways you can trigger something to occur with Lua. For a future version, yes I was hoping to be able to click on a map, get player details, and confirm a launch to their location. Could maybe cycle through a players list, type players name... thousands of possibilites. Its sometimes hard to have a concrete answer though. It depends on your ability to manipulate the functions MTA has provided to get what you desire. Such things like Aeron makes (A.I. sam site rockets, hay climb tower) seem impossible at first, but it can be done.

Although the MTA team has provided the functions and events, they are amazed themselves sometimes by how we coordinate them with scripting and come up with impressive results such as the imitation of WMDs in this video. eai was particularly pleased with this one as well since he is also a big C&C fan. I hope to perhaps make a mode to use these weapons in a team game or something for the future. We'll see depending on my time. I'd probably produce it this summer if anything.

[Simbad De Zeeman]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW SO COOOL!!!

i played C&C Red Alert very much! i like this!
VERY NICE TUTORIAL, i will use it

and when there is an asshole in the serevr, i will nuke him! muhauhuahuahuah... thanks Ransom.

[Magus1724]

Zomg
I'm gonna be :~ myself when I see that thing in the sky lol. Awesome! Very interesting scripting tutorial

[Ace_Gambit]

Nice feature, although the damage radius of the blast in de video doesn't look very realistic . But I am sure you can adjust this with some extra parameters.

[Ransom]

Yes its not a finalized version it needs some work still

[Raoul]

Very cool! Best tutorial subject so far I have 1 question can you make a explosion like this shape?

[Wheelburner]

Wow, that was crazy thing Very-very cool, best scripting tutorial at the moment

[Ransom]

Very cool! Best tutorial subject so far I have 1 question can you make a explosion like this shape?

Yes, that was the shape I was going for. If you read the code you'll see I did it in this way because I'm strecthing explosions to the GTA limit pretty much. You could make it more expansive but the completion time would be slower since you can only do so many explosions at once. I'll try to make a splash pool of explosions on the ground radius before I start the cloud but it may look too slow or glitchy. If I do, it should resemble your picture pretty well. The width of the middle part could be imitated more if you expand the radius of explosions as the nuke goes upward. Even if I can't make a better explosion cloud, when the flash goes off for the nuke explosion, I'll be defining an instant kill radius anyhow. Its not completed yet, but the visuals are pretty accurate already.

Also note for this same reason that the two weapons can NOT be launched at the same time. Many explosions would occur sporadically between them and ruin the visuals. The exact explosion limit you ask? From my testing and timing of these weapons as I recall the max stretch was 60 explosions at once (from the explosion to the time the smoke animation clears which takes considerably longer).

[[TDH]Boss]

I have made "ion cannon" in sa-mp, but it's far not that realistic. Thanks for this tutorial.