[vJASS] Lightning Help

[Mr_Bean]

Hi guys,

I am creating a spell for which I would like to add custom lightning, so I can replace the Dumm'y Manaburn with a more flexible option. Anyway, I would like to know how to determine the appropriate z1 and z2 values for the function:

AddLightningEx takes string codeName, boolean checkVisibility, real x1, real y1, real z1, real x2, real y2, real z2 returns lightning

Also, what is the use of checkVisibility?

Thanks!

 

[Laiev]

The z1 and z2 is the same as x1/y1 and x2/y2... But you'll need the Z, not X or Y.

For Z try this.

About the checkVisibility I'm not sure, but maybe check if is fogged.

 

[watermelon_1234]

If checkVisibility is true, then the lightning will only be visible to players if the area in which it's created is not fogged. That means if the player can see a little bit of the lightning, the entire lightning will be shown. Note that if the player couldn't see the lightning before and later comes to the area, the lightning still won't be shown.
If it's false, the lightning will always be seen regardless of fog.

 

[Mr_Bean]

Thanks. What setting do you recommend for a Manaburn spell? True?

 

[Maker]

I'd go with true. It can look odd if you see a lightning in the middle of a shrouded area.

 

[Mr_Bean]

Thanks watermelon_1234 and Maker.

The z1 and z2 is the same as x1/y1 and x2/y2... But you'll need the Z, not X or Y.

For Z try this.

Which code from the link must I use? How would I implement this?

 

[watermelon_1234]

I would recommend this for simplicity:

library ZLoc
    globals
        private location z = Location(0, 0)
    endglobals
    
    function GetPointZ takes real x, real y returns real
        call MoveLocation(z, x, y)
        return GetLocationZ(z)
    endfunction
endlibrary

You would want to get the location's z of where you create your lightnings.
If you attach the lightning to units, you would add GetUnitFlyHeight to the z.
For instance:

call AddLightningEx(someLightningPath, true, GetUnitX(caster), GetUnitY(caster), GetPointZ(GetUnitX(caster), GetUnitY(caster)) + GetUnitFlyHeight(caster), //etc...

 

[Mr_Bean]

Thanks, seems to work. How would I attach a lightning to a unit?

 

[watermelon_1234]

You can't really attach a lightning to a unit; you need to periodically move the lightning to match the unit's coordinates.
Maker has a nice system that simplifies this.

 

[Mr_Bean]

Thanks. Going back a bit...

You would want to get the location's z of where you create your lightnings.
If you attach the lightning to units, you would add GetUnitFlyHeight to the z.
For instance:

call AddLightningEx(someLightningPath, true, GetUnitX(caster), GetUnitY(caster), GetPointZ(GetUnitX(caster), GetUnitY(caster)) + GetUnitFlyHeight(caster), //etc...

Would this be correct?

set D.bolt[index] = AddLightningEx("MBUR", true, x, y, GetPointZ(x, y) + GetUnitFlyHeight(D.fissure), x2, y2, GetPointZ(x2, y2) + GetUnitFlyHeight(u))

x = X co-ord of Fissure unit - source of lightning.
y = Y co-ord of Fissure unit - source of lightning.
x2 = X co-ord of target unit of lightning.
y2 = Y co-ord of target unit of lightning.

 

[watermelon_1234]

As far as I can tell, yes.