User:ThePaperDog/Rotating Button

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HOW TO MAKE A ROTATING BUTTON TURN (SWITCH ON/OFF)

Button Normal2.png


Introduction:

In HL2, EP1, EP2; players occasionally encounter a scenario, where they must toggle a (rotating) button in order 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

1) FUNC_ROT_BUTTON (This is a brush-model entity.)

a) Create a new texture brush on your map.
b) Use your editor's 'MOVE SELECTED TO:' feature to convert the brush from World to Entity.
c) Set the entity's class as a func_rot_button.
d) Name the entity as "Func_for_Bttn"
e) Select and apply the brush-texture: "Invisible" to the entity.
f) Set the following flags
  • Not Solid Checked
  • Toggle Unchecked (optional)
  • X Axis Checked
  • Y Axis Checked
  • Use Activates Checked

2) PROP_DYNAMIC (This is a point entity (Button prop).)

a) Place a new prop_dynamic entity on your map.
b) Select its world model skin as: [Props_Citizen_Tech/firetrap_button01a.mdl]
c) Name the entity as "Bttn"
d) Select its Parent as [Func_for_Bttn]

3) PROP_STATIC (This is a point entity (Buttonpad prop))

a) Place a new prop_static entity on your map.
b) Select its world model skin as: [Props_Citizen_Tech/firetrap_buttonpad.mdl]
c) Naming this entity is not required

SET INPUTS/OUTPUTS (I/O)

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

Bttn Func IO.png

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 (Y Z X ) 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 pre-fab)

NOTES

See also:

--The PaperDog 06:16, 15 March 2009 (UTC)