Creating a moving platform

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Finished platform in unfinished room

This tutorial covers the creation of a Scaffold in Portal.

The Platform

Properties for Step 1. Click to enlarge.

1. The first step is to insert the model of the platform. Create a prop_dynamic with the following settings:

Property Name	Value
World Model	models/props/light_rail_platform.mdl
Name	platform1_model
Parent	platform1_train

Properties for Step 2. Click to enlarge.

2. The platform model does not have glass in it; this must be created manually. Create a brush that is 120x120x2 with the texture glass/glasswindow_frosted_004. Place it inside the platform model so that it lines up perfectly with the edges (you may need to set the grid scale to 2 or 1 temporarily). Tie it to a func_tracktrain with these settings:

Property Name	Value
Name	platform1_train
Height above track	0
Change angles	never
Move sound	Portal.horizontal_lift_move
Volume	2
Max pitch	100
Min pitch	80
First stop target	platform1_s1
Max speed	40
Initial Speed	40

Also, ensure no user control is checked.

Properties for Step 3. Click to enlarge.

3. To add an energy effect underneath the platform, create an env_citadel_energy_core point entity, place it under the model, and set these values:

Property Name	Value
Name	platform1_core
Parent	platform1_train
Pitch Yaw Roll	90 0 0
Scale	.5

Set the flag to start on if desired.

The Path

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1. Create a path_track, center it in the very center of platform1_train. This will be the starting waypoint for the path the platform follows. Set these values:

Property Name	Value
Name	platform1_s1
Next stop target	platform1_s2
Orientation type	no change

Set the flag teleport to this path_track if you have a one direction system.

Also set these outputs:

	My Output	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	OnPass	platform1_train	Stop	0	0	No
	OnPass	platform1_train	Resume	0	1	No

2. Create as many path_track entities as desired. Ensure they stay the same height, and follow the same numbers. Also make sure the last path_track 's keyvalue Next stop target points back to the first path_track if the platform is intended to travel in a loop.

3. Compile and test the map before continuing.

The Energy Rail

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1. Create a brush 12x2 and set it around the path. Texture it with effects/light_rail_beam1. Turn it to a func_brush with these settings:

Property Name	Value
Fx color	225 252 253
Solidity	Never Solid

2. Place info_targets at each bend or end of the rail brushes. The active energy rail beam effect will travel between these targets. Name them something like platform1_target1, platform1_target2, etc.

3. Create an env_beam for each straight section of track. Set the following:

Property Name	Value
Beam color	38 50 68
Brightness	255
Ending entity	(your info_target)
Life	0
Name	platform1_beam
Render FX	Fast Wide Pulse
Sprite name	materials/Effects/laser1.vmt
Start entity	(your info_target)
Texture scroll rate	2
Width	4

Set it to start on.

Props

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1. Add props at the end of the rails. Also under the corners. These decorative props will appear to be creating and directing the energy rail beam.

Some props are :

models/props/light_rail_wall_emitter.mdl

models/props/light_rail_endcap.mdl

models/props/light_rail_corner.mdl

2. Add an env_citadel_energy_core that points at the base of the prop. Set these to start on with a scale of .5

Enabling

1. To enable the train use these outputs:

	My Output	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	OnTrigger	platform1_beam	Color	176 217 247	0	No
	OnTrigger	platform1_beam	Width	10	0	No
	OnTrigger	platform1_core	StartDischarge	0	0	No
	OnTrigger	platform1_train	SetSpeed	40	2	No

See also

• Portal Level Creation

External links

• Example map Example map using this tutorial. VMF included.