desperate for help!!!!

[needhelp2005]

I have created a 3d scene and i want to clone a character into it from another
cast member which will then be able to naviagte around, however no matter what
i do to clone it i come up with a error can anyone help??

this is my world and what i tried to do to clone it (just one of many diff
things ive tried) please help me!!!

property pSprite, pMember, pscene
property pfdg, pchick, pGround, pblock, pblock2, pblock3, pblock4, pblock5,
pegg, pegg2,pegg3, pegg4, pegg5, pegg6, pegg7, pegg8, pegg9, pegg10
property pViewType


on beginSprite me
preload member "chick"

-- choose view type
pViewType = #normal -- still camera

-- get easy reference variables
pSprite = sprite(me.spriteNum)
pMember = pSprite.member

-- reset world
pMember.resetWorld()

-- make the elements of the world





makeblock(me)
makeblock2(me)
makeblock3(me)
makeblock4(me)
makeblock5(me)
makeGround(me)
makeegg(me)
makeegg2(me)
makeegg3(me)
makeegg4(me)
makeegg5(me)
makeegg6(me)
makeegg7(me)
makeegg8(me)
makeegg9(me)
makeegg10(me)
makeBackdrop(me)


-- import chick
m = pscene.cloneModelFromCastmember("chick", "chick", member("chick"))
m.transform.scale = vector(10,10,10)
m.transform.position.y = -2

end



on makeBackdrop me
-- create the backdrop texture
backdroptexture =
pMember.newTexture("Backdrop",#fromCastmember,memb er("Backdrop"))

-- add teh backdrop
pSprite.camera.addBackdrop(backdropTexture,point(0 ,0),0)
end

on makeblock me
-- create the model resource
blockResource = pMember.newModelResource("block resource",#box)
blockResource.height=20
blockResource.width=60
blockResource.length=20



-- create the model
pblock = pMember.newModel("block",blockResource)

-- place the model
pblock.transform.position = vector(-70,-20,-70)

repeat with i = 1 to 6
blockShader = pMember.newShader("Shader3"&&i,#standard)
blockTexture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture3"&&i,#fromCastMember,m ember("wall"&&i))
blockShader.texture = blockTexture
pMember.model[1].shaderList = blockShader
end repeat
end


on makeblock2 me
-- create the model resource
block2Resource = pMember.newModelResource("block2 resource",#box)
block2Resource.height=20
block2Resource.width=60
block2Resource.length=20



-- create the model
pblock2 = pMember.newModel("block2",block2Resource)

-- place the model
pblock2.transform.position = vector(-70,-25,-20)

repeat with i = 1 to 6
block2Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader4"&&i,#standard)
block2Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture4"&&i,#fromCastMember,m ember("wall"&&i))
block2Shader.texture = block2Texture
pMember.model[2].shaderList = block2Shader
end repeat
end


on makeblock3 me
-- create the model resource
block3Resource = pMember.newModelResource("block3 resource",#box)
block3Resource.height=20
block3Resource.width=60
block3Resource.length=20



-- create the model
pblock3 = pMember.newModel("block3",block3Resource)

-- place the model
pblock3.transform.position = vector(0,0,-70)

repeat with i = 1 to 6
block3Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader5"&&i,#standard)
block3Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture5"&&i,#fromCastMember,m ember("wall"&&i))
block3Shader.texture = block3Texture
pMember.model[3].shaderList = block3Shader
end repeat
end



on makeblock4 me
-- create the model resource
block4Resource = pMember.newModelResource("block4 resource",#box)
block4Resource.height=20
block4Resource.width=60
block4Resource.length=20



-- create the model
pblock4 = pMember.newModel("block4",block4Resource)

-- place the model
pblock4.transform.position = vector(70,-20,-70)

-- create 6 shaders, each with a texture, and assign
repeat with i = 1 to 6
block4Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader2"&&i,#standard)
block4Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture2"&&i,#fromCastMember,m ember("wall"&&i))
block4Shader.texture = block4Texture
pMember.model[4].shaderList = block4Shader
end repeat
end




on makeblock5 me
-- create the model resource
block5Resource = pMember.newModelResource("block5 resource",#box)
block5Resource.height=20
block5Resource.width=60
block5Resource.length=20



-- create the model
pblock5 = pMember.newModel("block5",block5Resource)

-- place the model
pblock5.transform.position = vector(70,-25,-20)



-- create 6 shaders, each with a texture, and assign
repeat with i = 1 to 6
block5Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader"&&i,#standard)
block5Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture"&&i,#fromCastMember,me mber("wall"&&i))
block5Shader.texture = block5Texture
pMember.model[5].shaderList = block5Shader
end repeat
end




on makeGround me


-- create the model resource
groundResource = pMember.newModelResource("My Plane Resource",#plane)

-- make it big enough to be seen
groundResource.width = 1000
groundResource.length = 1000

-- make the mesh out of 10 by 10 vertices
groundResource.widthVertices = 15
groundResource.lengthVertices = 15

-- create the model
pGround = pMember.newModel("My Plane",groundResource)

-- rotate it and reposition it to see it better
pGround.rotate(90,0,0)
pGround.transform.position = vector(0,-50,-250)

-- create ground texture and shader
repeat with i = 1 to 1
GroundShader = pMember.newShader("Shader6"&&i,#standard)
GroundTexture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture6"&&i,#fromCastMember,m ember("Ground"&&i))
GroundShader.texture = GroundTexture
pMember.model[6].shaderList = GroundShader
end repeat
end

on makeegg me
-- create the model resource
eggResource = pMember.newModelResource("egg resource",#sphere)
eggResource.radius = 6



-- create the model
pegg = pMember.newModel("egg",eggResource)

-- place the model
pegg.transform.position = vector(-85,-4,-70)

repeat with i = 1 to 1
eggShader = pMember.newShader("Shader7"&&i,#standard)
eggTexture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture7"&&i,#fromCastMember,m ember("egg"&&i))
eggShader.texture = eggTexture
pMember.model[7].shaderList = eggShader
end repeat
end


end

on makeegg2 me
-- create the model resource
egg2Resource = pMember.newModelResource("egg2 resource",#sphere)
egg2Resource.radius = 6


-- create the model
pegg2 = pMember.newModel("egg2",egg2Resource)

-- place the model
pegg2.transform.position = vector(-55,-4,-70)

repeat with i = 1 to 1
egg2Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader8"&&i,#standard)
egg2Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture8"&&i,#fromCastMember,m ember("egg"&&i))
egg2Shader.texture = egg2Texture
pMember.model[8].shaderList = egg2Shader
end repeat
end


end

on makeegg3 me
-- create the model resource
egg3Resource = pMember.newModelResource("egg3 resource",#sphere)
egg3Resource.radius = 6



-- create the model
pegg3 = pMember.newModel("egg3",egg3Resource)

-- place the model
pegg3.transform.position = vector(-55,-9,-20)

repeat with i = 1 to 1
egg3Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader9"&&i,#standard)
egg3Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture9"&&i,#fromCastMember,m ember("egg"&&i))
egg3Shader.texture = egg3Texture
pMember.model[9].shaderList = egg3Shader
end repeat
end


end

on makeegg4 me
-- create the model resource
egg4Resource = pMember.newModelResource("egg4 resource",#sphere)
egg4Resource.radius = 6



-- create the model
pegg4 = pMember.newModel("egg4",egg4Resource)

-- place the model
pegg4.transform.position = vector(-85,-9,-20)

repeat with i = 1 to 1
egg4Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader10"&&i,#standard)
egg4Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture10"&&i,#fromCastMember, member("egg"&&i))
egg4Shader.texture = egg4Texture
pMember.model[10].shaderList = egg4Shader
end repeat
end


end

on makeegg5 me
-- create the model resource
egg5Resource = pMember.newModelResource("egg5 resource",#sphere)
egg5Resource.radius = 6



-- create the model
pegg5 = pMember.newModel("egg5",egg5Resource)

-- place the model
pegg5.transform.position = vector(-17,16,-70)

repeat with i = 1 to 1
egg5Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader11"&&i,#standard)
egg5Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture11"&&i,#fromCastMember, member("egg"&&i))
egg5Shader.texture = egg5Texture
pMember.model[11].shaderList = egg5Shader
end repeat
end


end

on makeegg6 me
-- create the model resource
egg6Resource = pMember.newModelResource("egg6 resource",#sphere)
egg6Resource.radius = 6



-- create the model
pegg6 = pMember.newModel("egg6",egg6Resource)

-- place the model
pegg6.transform.position = vector(17,16,-70)

repeat with i = 1 to 1
egg6Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader12"&&i,#standard)
egg6Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture12"&&i,#fromCastMember, member("egg"&&i))
egg6Shader.texture = egg6Texture
pMember.model[12].shaderList = egg6Shader
end repeat
end


end

on makeegg7 me
-- create the model resource
egg7Resource = pMember.newModelResource("egg7 resource",#sphere)
egg7Resource.radius = 6



-- create the model
pegg7 = pMember.newModel("egg7",egg7Resource)

-- place the model
pegg7.transform.position = vector(55,-4,-70)

repeat with i = 1 to 1
egg7Shader = pMember.newShader("Shader13"&&i,#standard)
egg7Texture =
pMember.newTexture("Texture13"&&i,#fromCastMember, member("egg"&&i))
egg7Shader.texture = egg7Texture
pMember.model[13].shaderList = egg7Shader
end repeat
end


end

on makeegg8 me
-- create the model resource
egg8Resource = pMember.newModelResource("egg8 resource",#sphere)
egg8Resource.radius = 6



-- create the model
pegg8 = pMember.newModel("egg8",egg8Resource)

-- place the model
pegg8.transform.position = vector(85,-4,-70)

[Richard]

1.Where do you define your pScene property ?

2.If that's not it, make sure you call resetworld() for the source .w3d as
well as the world w3d before you clone.

3.What exact error does it pop up when trying to clone?

Cheers

Richard

[needhelp2005]

pscene is defined right at the top along with everything else:

property pSprite, pMember, pscene
property pfdg, pchick, pGround, pblock, pblock2, pblock3, pblock4, pblock5,
pegg, pegg2,pegg3, pegg4, pegg5, pegg6, pegg7, pegg8, pegg9, pegg10
property pViewType

2. how would i reset it for the w3d file?

and thirdly the error i recieve is:

script error object expected
m = pscene.cloneModelFromCastmember("chick", "chick", member("chick"))

[Richard]

Sorry, I meant where do you "initialize" your pScene property. You may be
trying to access a null property??

Maybe you meant to use pMember instead huh?

Richard

[needhelp2005]

where i replease pscene by pMember i get a script error invalid parameter
instead, i need some real help with this i cant do anything with it until ive
managed to get the cloning working, would it help if i maybe emailed the dir
file with the w3d file so you can see for yourself whats going wrong?

thanks for taking the time to help me with this, i really appreciate it.

[Richard]

Hi there,

Feel free to email me the dir file if you can't get it going.

The way you have it set up, you are trying to clone a model called "chick"
from a cast member called "chick" and naming the newmodel "chick". Please
check you have a 3D member called "chick" that is seperate to the 3D member
you are using as your pMember 3Dsprite.

Also specify a castLib for members to avoid confusion. . . At the moment you
are trying to clone from a 3D member in the default "internal" castLibrary.
Is this correct?

What is the name of the w3D member that you are using as your 3D sprite?
Maybe you are trying to copy a model from a 3D cast member into itself?

Cheers

Richard

[Richard]

PS. I only have Director 8.5 so I can't open the latest .dir files.

Richard

[needhelp2005]

hi there

i finally figured out what was wrong it simply did not like my w3d model, i
have tried another and it works great, however now im wondering within my 3d
scene is it possible to give all of the box instances some kind of collision
detection so in effect they act solid when the character walks into them?

[Richard]

Hi there,

I'm glad you have it working!

I think the null pScene was one of the problems though?

Collision detection is not a trivial task however.

If the boxes do not move when walked into by the character, the code is not
too complex and can be done with lingo yourself. This would be made easier
if the character does not jump, but merely walks around the boxes on the
ground plane.

If the boxes need to move / slide / tilt / roll when hit you may need to
look at the "Havok Xtra" which is often discussed in this group. The physics
involved with be too complex to try with lingo alone, as all boxes have to
collision check against the character, AND all other boxes, (any or all of
which could be in motion in 3D space), AND the ground terrain. Do not use
the collision modifier. It is useless.

Unfortunately I have never had cause to use the Havok Xtra.

It shipped with Director 8.5, but not with the latest director I think.

Feel free to start a fresh thread about the Havok solution to your problem.

Richard

[needhelp2005]

i dont need to use havok as my blocks are stationary, however i still cant
figure out how to get the collision working for each one. can you give me any
ideas how to achieve it?

thanks again for the time your taking helping me

oh and yes it was pMember!

[Richard]

I can't give you a finished script, but here's some pseudo code for a simple
radial push. . . NOTE this is not real code and needs checking for syntax
and adapting to your actual property namesetc. You will need a "go to the
frame" frame handler to loop round a single frame. Then the exitFrame below
will be called repeatedly.


property pBoxList,pCollisionRadius,pVelVector

on beginSprite
--create a list and add all your box models to it.
--eg.
pBoxList = [ ]
pCollisionRadius = 200 --Set this to match the rough radius of your boxes.
pBoxList.add(pMember.model("box1"))
pBoxList.add(pMember.model("box2"))--and so on. . .
--you could use a repeat loop for the above bit to avoid repetition.

pVelVector = vector(0,0,0)
end beginSprite

on exitFrame
--read in the keys and add small velocities to your pVelVector (character
velocity on the xyz)
--based on input.
-- Checkout m.zAxis() and use the x and z components as velocity values to
add each frame.

--collisions. . .
repeat with i = 1 to pBoxList.count
diffVector = pBoxList[i].worldPosition - m.worldPosition+velVector
diffVector.y = 0
if diffVector.magnitude < pCollisionRadius then
pushVector
= -diffVector.getNormalized()*(pCollisionRadius-diffVector.magnitude)
velVector = velVector+pushVector
put "collision with box " & i
end if
end repeat

--move your chick here
m.worldPosition = m.worldPosition+pVelVector
--apply friction drift fake. . .
pVelVector = pVelVector * 0.95

end exitFrame

This should give you a start at least. Square linear push can be done in a
similar way (doing the x and z push seperately) I'm afraid that's all I can
supply for now. Hope that helps a little. Check out Amazon for some good
Director 3D / Advanced Lingo books for ray casting collisions. Good luck!

Richard

[Richard]

PS. if your character behaves oddly when colliding I may have got this line
the wrong way round. Brains a bit dogo at the mo and it's all from memory. .
..

diffVector = (m.worldPosition+velVector)-pBoxList[i].worldPosition

It's one or the other. . . ;)

Richard