Creating a moving platform

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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

Also, ensure no user control is checked.

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 ARTICLE - PLEASE LEAVE ALONE UNTIL EDITING DONE

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

• Moving platform - an example map for the above tutorial.