Creating a moving platform

In this tutorial you will learn how to create a moving platform.

New Tutorial

Finished platform in unfinished room

The platform

1. 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

2. Create a brush that is 120x120x2 with the texture glass/glasswindow_frosted_004. Place it inside the train model. Tie it to a func_tractrain 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. If no initial speed is specified, the train will not move at all.

3. Create an env_citadel_energy_core, 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

1. Create a path_track, center it in the very center of platform1_train. 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.

I 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 you desire. Ensure they stay the same height, and follow the same numbers. Also make sure the last path_track points to the first.

3. Test your system, before you continue.

The Rail

1. Create a brush 12x2 and set it around your path. 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. Name them something like platform1_target1. 3. Create an env_beam for each strait 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

1. Add props at the end of your rails. Also under the corners.

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 your 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

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Old Tutorial

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In this tutorial you will learn how to create a moving platform.

Setting up the model

You will need one from these models

• This one is bigger: models/props/light_rail_platform.mdl .
• This one is smaller models/props/light_rail_platform_02.mdl .
• After you have decided witch one is better for you, name it platform_model.
• Set its parent to platform_func, which we'll create next.

Creating functions

Create brush with dimensions of chosen platform. It’s not necessary, but it will surely work without any bugs. Tie it to func_tracktrain entity by pressing Ctrl-T, and set its variables as follows:

Property Name	Value
Change angles	this is up to you, I’m using: never (fixed orientation)
Change velocity	too, it’s your choice, but: ease in/ease out
First stop target	P1_S1_M
Initial speed	100
Max speed	10 000
Name	platform_func

And, you may set sounds:

Property Name	Value
Start sound	Doors.Move12
Stop sound	Doors.FullClose12

Path tracking

Our platform is using the path_track entities to specify its movement course, so we have to add these now. You can see the architecture we will use.

Create a set of path_tracks, configuring them as follows:

Property Name	Value
Name	P1_S1_M
New train speed	30
Next stop target	P1_S1_O

Property Name	Value
Name	P1_S1_O
New train speed	200
Next stop target	P1_S2_I

Property Name	Value
Name	P1_S2_I
New train speed	30
Next stop target	P1_S2_M

Property Name	Value
Name	P1_S2_M
New train speed	30
Next stop target	P1_S2_O

Property Name	Value
Name	P1_S2_O
New train speed	200
Next stop target	P1_S1_I

Place them as necessary but make sure they are linked, as shown by a yellow line in Hammer's viewports.

Final touches

Now you have a working platform, so we can add a few models to support it. That oval-shaped object is used on walls, so it's easy to add to your map. The second model looks better, you may even add that stand under it.

• Moving platform mdl 01.jpg
• Moving platform mdl 02.jpg
• Moving platform mdl 03.jpg

See also

Portal Level Creation