Contrain PointAt to z-axis of object

[Mazuho]

I'm trying to use the point at method but I only want the model to point at the target with one axis. How can I do this?

Thanks.

[Mazuho]

I solved it partly, by setting the .x and .y parameters of
object.transform.rotation to 0.

But it still doesn't work just right... When I drive past the object it gets
rotated 180 degrees in z, resulting in the back pointing at the target instead
of the front.

Anyone experienced the same?

[openspark]

Have you looked at the pointAtOrientation property of 3D objects?

Alternatively you can do some 3D mathematics, and rotate the model by hand.
To rotate your model, you can use the syntax:

??myModel.rotate(vPosition, vAxis, vAngle, #world)

You'll need to work out vAxis and vAngle from the current orientation of the
model:

vPosition = myModel.worldPosition
vZAxis = myModel.getWorldTransform().zAxis -- current

vPointToPointAt = <some vector>
vDirection - vPointToPointAt - vPosition -- desired

vAxis = vZAxis.cross(vDirection)
vAngle = angleBetween(vZAxis, vDirection)

If vAxis has a magnitude of 0, but vAngle is not 0, then your model is
pointing in diametrically the opposite direction: vAngle will be 180. Rotating
your model about any axis of rotation will make it point in the right
direction, but it will probably be tilted or upside down. You will need to
choose your rotatition vector with care to make sure that your model ends up
the right way up.

[nick kang]

I usually use a utility node (in this case, a SW3D group) for something like
this:

-- limit pointAt() to y-axis rotation
-- assumptions:
-- +y is Up
-- pointAt() orients nodes along local negative z-axis
gUtilGroup.transform.position = pEntityModel.transform.position
gUtilGroup.transform.position.y = pTargetPosition.y
gUtilGroup.pointAt(pTargetPosition, gUp)
pEntityModel.transform.rotation = gUtilGroup.transform.rotation

-- global dependencies (need to be defined during scene setup):
gUtilGroup = gSW3D.newGroup("UtilGroup")
gUp = vector(0,1,0)

Another thing to watch out for, pointAt() will generate an "Invalid Point"
error if the node's position coincides with the target position.

-nick

[Mazuho]

Thank you guys, you really helped me out.