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[Sir Cyrus]

Sir Cyrus

Follow (Game Maker)

Hello. I've only gotten back to using Game Maker after several years, and I'm having a bit of trouble. I have a shadow that is positioned below the character using the following code:

Code: [Select]

x = objCharacter.x+3;
y = objCharacter.y+11It works fine, but when I have the character set to increase its y value by 0.25 using the following:

Code: [Select]

y += 0.25The shadow 'stutters'. I can sort of see the reason for this, but even if I use

Code: [Select]

x = round(objCharacter.x+3);
y = round(objCharacter.y+11)It still stutters.
Now, I need the character to move at a speed of 0.25. Lowering the speed of the room is not an option. I've also already made it travel using an alarm that increases its x value by 1 every four frames, as opposed to 0.25 every frame.  I've also tried setting a 'ytarget' variable that increases by 0.25 every frame, then the character increases its y value when ytarget is more than 1 over the character's y value. Both methods work, but not efficiently and they're awkward. Also, I feel I should note that the character moves flawlessly, and that the shadow uses an image_alpha value of 0.5.
Is there anyway I could fix this?

Thanks,
Sir Cyrus.

[Dumb_Ass]

Dumb_Ass

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

Game Maker isn't really friendly with decimals. Try whole numbers instead.

[cb43569]

cb43569

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

Moving an object by a decimal value in GameMaker causes severe tearing... I'm sorry, but it cannot be conquered .

[Koh]

Koh

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

try using fractions

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[Dumb_Ass]

Dumb_Ass

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

If you're serious, then I recommend you don't have children.

[Sir Cyrus]

Sir Cyrus

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

Curses. I'll try to find a workaround, thanks for the replies.

[Goodnight]

Goodnight

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

Well, yes, Game Maker is notoriously bad with demicals, so whenever you change a variable by 0.25, you might want to do some fractional rounding just to be sure.

Code: [Select]

y += 0.25
y = round(y*4)/4
One of my heart engines wasn't working properly until I added something like that for the life variable.

But I can tell you that isn't the problem. Whether the variables are properly rounded off or not, you're making one object's position equal to the others, so there can't be any difference between them.

If by 'stuttering' you mean the shadow always lags behind by 1 frame, that's probably because its Step event takes place before the character moves.

So you should either move this:

Code: [Select]

x = objCharacter.x+3;
y = objCharacter.y+11to the Shadow's End Step event, or...
Change it to this:

Code: [Select]

objShadow.x = x+3;
objShadow.y = y+11and have that in the Character's Step event.

Need some Legend of Zelda sound effects? Click here for HelpTheWretched's collection.

The Legend of Zelda: Two Swords (Beta demo) (OLD)

[trelantana]

trelantana

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

Well, yes, Game Maker is notoriously bad with demicals, so whenever you change a variable by 0.25, you might want to do some fractional rounding just to be sure.

Code: [Select]

y += 0.25
y = round(y*4)/4
One of my heart engines wasn't working properly until I added something like that for the life variable.

But I can tell you that isn't the problem. Whether the variables are properly rounded off or not, you're making one object's position equal to the others, so there can't be any difference between them.

If by 'stuttering' you mean the shadow always lags behind by 1 frame, that's probably because its Step event takes place before the character moves.

So you should either move this:

Code: [Select]

x = objCharacter.x+3;
y = objCharacter.y+11to the Shadow's End Step event, or...
Change it to this:

Code: [Select]

objShadow.x = x+3;
objShadow.y = y+11and have that in the Character's Step event.

GoodKnight, all that your first one will do is lock the player in their original position.
What I suggest you do is this:

Give the player another x and y variable, i/e real_x, real_y, or something else like that.
Then, at the end of every step event, add this:

Code: [Select]

objCharacter.x = floor(real_x);
objCharacter.y = floor(real_y);
This will allow the player to move, and will allow you to add 0.25 to the character's positions.

She'll pull out your feathers for her brand new hat and when she's done that she'll feed you to her cat.
People you love will turn their backs on you.  You'll lose your hair, your teeth. Your knife will fall of its sheath, but you still don't like to leave until the end of the movie.
If I threw my guitar out the window, so far down, would I start to regret it?  Or would I smile and watch it slowly fall?

[Goodnight]

Goodnight

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

GoodKnight, all that your first one will do is lock the player in their original position.

Code: [Select]

y = round(y*4)/4That code rounds y to the nearest quarter, so no, it doesn't lock the object in place.

You suggestion will also work, but like I said, that probably isn't the reason for the stutter.

Need some Legend of Zelda sound effects? Click here for HelpTheWretched's collection.

The Legend of Zelda: Two Swords (Beta demo) (OLD)

[Jed]

Jed

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

Maybe updating the postion in the draw event would remove ths stutter?

[AoDC]

AoDC

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

Try drawing?

the a o d c

[Antidote]

Antidote

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

simple solution for a simple problem.
Two people so far have hit the nail on the head.
The simple solution i'm talking about is to completly remove the shadow object and draw the characters sprite and shadow in the draw event thusly:

Code: GML

1. Step:
2. {
3.  shadow_x = x+3;
4.  shadow_y = y+11;
5. }
6. Drawing:
7. {
8.  /* Simple Shadow drawing */
9.  // Player
10.  draw_sprite(sprite_index, image_index, x, y);
11.  // Shadow
12.  draw_sprite(sprShadow, 0, shadow_x, shadow_y);
13. }
14.  

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[Bearer]

Bearer

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

simple solution for a simple problem.
Two people so far have hit the nail on the head.
The simple solution i'm talking about is to completly remove the shadow object and draw the characters sprite and shadow in the draw event thusly:

Code: GML

1. Step:
2. {
3.  shadow_x = x+3;
4.  shadow_y = y+11;
5. }
6. Drawing:
7. {
8.  /* Simple Shadow drawing */
9.  // Player
10.  draw_sprite(sprite_index, image_index, x, y);
11.  // Shadow
12.  draw_sprite(sprShadow, 0, shadow_x, shadow_y);
13. }
14.  

even easier would be to just forego the step event entirely and just put:

Code: [Select]

draw_sprite(sprShadow, 0, x+3, y+11);
in the draw event.  Saves lines, space, and does the same thing.

[Antidote]

Antidote

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

i put the step event in there because if you want to reposition the shadow you can easily.

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[zero koll]

zero koll

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

and wy dont you have tha shaddow on te sprite?

http://z10.invisionfree.com/Lizard_Games/index.php

[Antidote]

Antidote

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

>_> for jumping and what not <_< seriously koll think about it.

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[zero koll]

zero koll

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

yeah but this should be so much easier..... ???

http://z10.invisionfree.com/Lizard_Games/index.php

[Jed]

Jed

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

He may wish to have it adjust its position from different light sources, or if I recall correctly, when link jumps the shadow stays in the same spot rather than disapears.

[Sir Cyrus]

Sir Cyrus

Re: Follow (Game Maker)

Thank you, everyone.
Goodnight's suggestion worked, I really appreciate the help.
Anyway, I wanted the shadow separate for jumping, and to save time from merging sprites.