Basics of Triggers

Note, that the tutorial is still in progress. Feel free to post comments & suggestions for improval :)

Basics of Triggers
By Archian

My ten-year-old cousin has just started warcraft III modding, and has begun experimenting with the Trigger Editor.
I promised that I would make a little tutorial relating to how to make some *very* basic, but useful triggers for custom maps.
This tutorial is also meant as a source of information that may encourage newcomer's to start triggering and from there, develop their knowlege.
So when you're done reading this tutorial, go inside the World Editor and do some experimenting yourself :)
Click the images for larger versions.

The "target group" of this tutorial is of course; beginners.

Table of Content

• Introduction to The World Editors' "Trigger Editor"
• GUI (Graphical User Interface)
• Trigger Functions: "ECA" (Events, Conditions & Actions)
• Trigger Examples

Introduction to The World Editors' "Trigger Editor"

The trigger editor is where the map script is written, either in GUI triggers or directly in JASS.
The map script controls any in-game events not dictated by the user. Triggers are essential for creating maps with complicated goals and atmosphere.

Trigger Editor: (Menu Bar\Module\Trigger Editor)

(From left to right: Variables... (Ctrl+B), New Category (Ctrl+G), New Trigger (Ctrl+T), New Trigger Comment (Ctrl+M), New Event (Ctrl+E), New Condition (Ctrl+D), New Action (Ctrl+R).

The Trigger Editor:

Button:

Of course, you can just right-click on the list, a trigger or a category to create the above mentioned.



GUI (Graphical User Interface)
A graphical user interface, is a particular case of user interface for interacting with a computer which employs graphical images and widgets in addition to text to represent the information and actions available to the user.
Usually the actions are performed through direct manipulation of the graphical elements.

Trigger Functions: "ECA" (Events, Conditions & Actions)

Note; each individual trigger can be created using various of countless (describing many) methods.
You will most likely come to discover that as you gain more experience.

There are 3 "categories" of trigger functions (Events, Conditions & Actions):

Trigger Functions

Events
Conditions
Actions

Notice, that these could be compared with the "cause and effect" theory. The cause and effect (Event and Action) with an optional "Condition" included.
When the event(s) occur, all conditions are met, the action(s) will take place.

Events
A trigger will start when any of the events listed occur.
Note; you can "run" a trigger from another trigger without having those events occuring.

Conditions
Conditions are specific requirements which the trigger must observe.
It cannot perform it's actions unless all the condition requirements have been covered.
Note; that you can have 'And' / 'Or' conditions as well. Triggers that are run from another trigger have the option to ignore these conditions.

Actions
If the event occurs, all conditions have been met, then this is the action(s) that the trigger will perform.
Note; that you can may 'Run' other triggers or turn other triggers OFF or ON as well.

Note; You may put any new triggers in the original Melee Initialization category created by the world editor, but you are not obligated to.
Categories have no influence on the functionality of the trigger, so it doesn't matter which order you put them in.

Enable, Initially On & Trigger Comments
Notice that there are 3 fields at the top of each trigger (highlight'ed below).

• Enabled - Determines whether or not the trigger is enabled in your map. If 'disabled', the trigger has no function.
• Initially On - Triggers can be turned ON and OFF. When checked, the trigger will initially be ON when the game begins.
• Trigger Comment - Is a text field area where you can add any comments regarding the specific trigger. Keep in mind that it has no impact on functionality.

Trigger Examples
Below is shown some basic trigger samples.

Opening A Gate #1

In this example, I will demonstrate a way to open a Gate without any condition(s).
Here's the trigger i'm using:

Gate

Events

Destructible - Lever 0039 <gen> dies

Conditions
Actions

Destructible - Open Gate (Horizontal) 0038 <gen>

Opening A Gate #2

In this example, I shall demonstrate a way to open a Gate with a condition.
Here's the trigger:

Gate

Events

Destructible - Lever 0039 <gen> dies

Conditions

(Owner of (Triggering unit)) Equal to Player 1 (Red)

Actions

Destructible - Open Gate (Horizontal) 0038 <gen>

The Sunken Brigde

Here's the trigger i'm using for this demonstration:

Sunken Brigde

Events

Unit - A unit enters Region 000 <gen>

Conditions

(Owner of (Entering unit)) Equal to Player 1 (Red)

Actions

Destructible - Resurrect Short Natural Bridge (Vertical) 0000 <gen> with 2500.00 life and Show birth animation
Animation - Change Short Natural Bridge (Vertical) 0000 <gen>'s animation speed to 95.00% of its original speed
Trigger - Turn off (This trigger)

The Specific Key
Coming soon...

Links

• Basics of Regions » A MUST READ! If you're new.
• Trigger (GUI)/ AI editor Tutorials
• Tutorials for beginners

To be continued »

hey ive just started war3 modding and i would rly like to now to to set a unit patrol on a target region because im been trying for ages.

Try to ask your question here. And i guarantee you will get your question answered :)

how do u get the lever?

This looks like it could be a tremendously great tutorial if it was continued

I would also suggest adding in a little section on loops, how they work and what they do, but add that later, much later so players don't get overwhelmed

this is maybe can help some users :D

This is a simple, but very good tutorial. I like the pictures you have taken and good luck putting more stuff to this tutorial. This will also save much of my time, because now I don't need to show all n00b map makers how to do basic triggers. This tutorial explains it.

Nice job, Archian.

I just started trigger modding and i am amazed at how many things I can do with them

World editor is one of the easiest-to-use editors I've ever used
(UT04,Gmax,and EA command and conquer are the worst.)

your tutorial is genius (for all the new modders)!!!

Thank ye sir...

yea how do i make my units look like they are walkin on the walls cuz i got some models and i have no idea how to make them walk on the models do i have to make a trigger to make them fly or somthing

FIRST nice rep I feel loved =-)

Im very glad about this, since im kinda a newbie in triggers and other stuff... am good at terraining of course... ANYWAY just wanted to thank you... do something else now... don't keep reading...

Originally Posted by ThE0RaVeN

yea how do i make my units look like they are walkin on the walls cuz i got some models and i have no idea how to make them walk on the models do i have to make a trigger to make them fly or somthing

I made this tutorial long ago, might be of use to you.
I think I posted it here at the Hive as well, but I'll redirect you to it here: http://www.wc3campaigns.net/showthread.php?t=85356

Now any further questions should be posted in the World Editor Help Zone forum.

This is a good Tutorial for people who don't know triggering!

i wanted to ask u something on the leader bords i needed one for ctf, and how to do a basic ctf if u can make aforem on that thatll be good