Rotating Button

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May 2025

Introduction

In Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Half-Life 2: Episode Two; players occasionally encounter a scenario, where they must toggle a (rotating) button to achieve an effect or progress in the game. This page will describe steps on how to build a functional Rotating Button prop for use in your custom map, where:

• The player can +use the button object and it will turn to the ON position.
• With the Toggle flag option checked, the player can repeat the +use action and the button object will turn back to the OFF position.
• With the Toggle flag option unchecked, the button object will automatically return to the OFF position.

Required entities and objects

A) func_rot_button (This is a brush entity.)

1. Create a new texture brush on your map.
2. Use your editor's 'MOVE SELECTED TO:' feature to convert the brush from World to Entity.
3. Set the entity's class as a func_rot_button.
4. Name the entity "func_for_bttn".
5. Select and apply the brush-texture: "tools/toolsinvisible to the entity.
6. Set the following flags

• Not Solid Checked
• Toggle Unchecked (optional)
• X Axis Checked
• Y Axis Checked
• Use Activates Checked

B) prop_dynamic (This is a point entity (Button prop).')

1. Place a new prop_dynamic entity on your map.
2. Select its world model as: props_citizen_tech/firetrap_button01a.mdl
3. Name the entity "bttn"
4. Select its Parent as "func_for_bttn"

C) prop_static (This is a point entity (Button pad prop))

1. Place a new prop_static entity on your map.
2. Select its world model as: props_citizen_tech/firetrap_buttonpad.mdl.

Set Inputs/Outputs (I/O)

1. Set the following output trigger(s) in the "func_for_bttn" brush's I/O.

	My Output >	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	OnPressed	bttn	SetAnimation		0	No

Confirm:Is this part unfinished ? This section shouldn't have any purpose at its current stage.

Place, Align, and Group the objects

Follow these steps:

• Center the origin of the prop_static entity (the button pad).
• Place the prop_dynamic entity "bttn" into the desired position on the button pad.
• Place "bttn" and button pad into the desired position on the map (i.e equipment console or a wall).
• Set the desired Pitch Yaw Roll values for entity "bttn".
• Center the origin for 'bttn".
• Align "bttn"'s origin with the prop_static's origin as close as possible.
• Place the momentary_rot_button brush entity "func_for_bttn" over "bttn", making sure that "func_for_bttn" completely encloses "bttn". Allow enough extension of "func_for_bttn" for the player to touch it.
• Center the origin for "func_for_bttn".
• Align "func_for_bttn"'s origin with "bttn"'s origin as close as possible.
• Set the X and Y values for "func_for_bttn" equal to the X and Y values of "bttn".

Note:If you move and/or re-orient these objects to a different position in the map, repeat this step.

• Group all the objects. (You can also save the finished group as a prefab or instance)

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Credits : "The PaperDog"