env_laser

Class hierarchy
CEnvLaser ↳CBeam ↳CBaseEntity
EnvLaser.cpp

env_laser is a point entity available in all Source games. It creates a laser beam between itself and a given target. The main difference between this entity and env_beam is that a laser will not travel through anything solid.

Placement Tip:In case the laser doesn't cause damage, make sure the origin is not inside anything solid.

Note:If your env_laser doesn't have a targetname it will be automatically turned on when the map starts.

Keyvalues

Name (targetname) <string>

The name that other entities refer to this entity by, via Inputs/Outputs or other keyvalues (e.g. parentname or target).
Also displayed in Hammer's 2D views and Entity Report.

See also:  Generic Keyvalues, Inputs and Outputs available to all entities

Target of Laser (LaserTarget) <targetname>

Name of entity, or entities, to strike at. The target is randomly chosen if there are multiple entities matching the given name.

Width of Beam (width) <float>

The width of the laser beam, in pixels.

End Sprite (EndSprite) <sprite>

If specified, this sprite will be drawn at the end of the laser beam.

Beam:

Note:Beams are hardcoded in the game DLLs to always use the Additive render mode.

Brightness (1 - 255) (renderamt) <integer>

Misleading name; beam alpha. Invisible when set to 0.

Beam Color (R G B) (rendercolor) <color255>

Beam color.

Damage/second (damage) <string>

How much damage this beam does per second to things it hits when it is continually on, or instantaneously if it strikes. For continuous damage, the value should be greater than 10 or it may not work.

Note:Damage is scaled to the difficulty setting:

• Easy: 50%
• Normal: 100%
• Hard: 150%

HDR color scale (HDRColorScale) <float>

Value to multiply sprite color by when running in HDR mode.

Beam clipping (ClipStyle) <choices>

Select whether you want the beam to clip against geometry or characters.

• 0: Do not clip (default)
• 1: Clip to geometry
• 2: Clip to everything solid

Dissolve Type (dissolvetype) <choices>

If this beam damages and kills something, effects to show around the object.

• -1: None
• 0: Energy
• 1: Heavy Electrical
• 2: Light Electrical

Amount of noise (0-255) (NoiseAmplitude) <float>

The amount of noise in the beam. 0 is a perfectly straight beam, while the maximum is very jagged. Range: 0 to MAX_BEAM_NOISEAMPLITUDE.

Note:The name says the maximum is 255, but by default the maximum value is 64. Values higher than 64 will default to 64.

Sprite Name (texture) <sprite>

The material used to draw the beam.

Texture Scroll Rate (0-100) (TextureScroll) <integer>

Rate at which the beam texture should scroll along the beam. Range: 0 to MAX_BEAM_SCROLLSPEED.

Starting Frame (framestart) <integer>

The frame to start the beam texture on.

Flags

Beam: Start On : [1]

Starts the map with the beam turned on.

Toggle : [2]

Obsolete. Replaced by the Toggle input in the Source I/O system. Used to toggle the beam on and off.

Random Strike : [4]

When the beam has died, it will strike again randomly within the time set by Strike again time (secs).

Ring : [8]

Uses the starting and ending points as a diameter, drawing a beam ring between them instead of a straight line.

StartSparks : [16]

Every time the beam strikes or is turned on, the beam temporarily emits a small shower of sparks at its Start Entity.

EndSparks : [32]

Every time the beam strikes or is turned on, the beam temporarily emits a small shower of sparks at its Ending Entity.

Decal End : [64]

Places a decal scorch mark where a damaging beam hits the first solid object (world brush or entity). Refer to the Decal Name keyvalue to set the decal you wish to appear at the end of the beam.

Shade Start : [128]

The beam fades out toward its Start Entity. Overrides Shade End. Does not work on striking beams or beam rings.

Shade End : [256]

The beam fades out toward its Ending Entity. Is overridden by Shade Start. Does not work on striking beams (Life > 0) or beam rings.

Taper Out : [512]

Makes the beam taper out into a point towards its Ending Entity. Does not work on striking beams (Life > 0) or beam rings.

Temporary : [32768] !FGD

Note:2, 4, 8, 128, 256, and 512 are intended for env_beam. For env_laser, they must be added manually, but may not work correctly.

Inputs

Beam:

TurnOn

Turns the beam on.

TurnOff

Turns the beam off.

Toggle

Toggles the beam between on and off.

Width <float>

Set the width of the beam, in pixels.

Noise <float> !FGD

Set how far away from the middle the beam is allowed to deviate.

Alpha <integer>

Sets the beam's alpha (0 - 255).

Color <color255>

Sets the beam's render color (R G B).

ColorRedValue <float>

Sets the red color channel's value (0 - 255).

ColorGreenValue <float>

Sets the green color channel's value (0 - 255).

ColorBlueValue <float>

Sets the blue color channel's value (0 - 255).

ScrollSpeed <float>

Set the scroll speed in units per second (0 - 100).

See also

• env_entity_dissolver