TranslateEntity entity,x#,y#,z#[,global]

Parameters

entity - entity handle

x# - x amount that entity will be translated by
y# - y amount that entity will be translated by
z# - z amount that entity will be translated by

global (optional) - true to translate along the world axes even for a child of a rotated parent; false (default) translates in the parent's space

Description

Translates an entity relative to its current position but not its orientation - along fixed axes.

The entity moves in a fixed direction regardless of which way it is facing. Imagine a game character doing a triple somersault as it jumps: translating by a positive y amount moves it straight up in the air no matter where it is facing mid-somersault. That makes TranslateEntity the natural command for gravity, jumping, knockback and any other velocity that lives in world space.

This is one of three ways to change position:

TranslateEntity - moves along fixed world axes, ignoring the entity's orientation.
MoveEntity - moves along the entity's own local axes (direction depends on which way it faces).
PositionEntity - jumps the entity to an absolute position instead of shifting it.

For a child entity the translation is in its parent's space by default; pass true for global to translate along the world axes regardless of the parent's rotation.

See also: MoveEntity, PositionEntity, PositionMesh.

Example

; TranslateEntity Example
; -----------------------

Graphics3D 640,480,0,2
SetBuffer BackBuffer()

SeedRnd MilliSecs()

camera=CreateCamera()
PositionEntity camera,0,0,-10

light=CreateLight()
RotateEntity light,45,45,0

; A tumbling satellite
satellite=CreateCone(16)
EntityColor satellite,255,200,0
RotateEntity satellite,Rnd(0,360),Rnd(0,360),Rnd(0,360)

While Not KeyDown(1)

    ; Reset translation values each frame - otherwise the satellite would never stop
    x#=0
    y#=0
    z#=0

    ; Cursor keys and A/Z set this frame's translation
    If KeyDown(203) Then x=-0.1
    If KeyDown(205) Then x=0.1
    If KeyDown(208) Then y=-0.1
    If KeyDown(200) Then y=0.1
    If KeyDown(44) Then z=-0.1
    If KeyDown(30) Then z=0.1

    ; TranslateEntity moves along the WORLD axes: up is always up, no matter
    ; which way the satellite is facing. Compare MoveEntity (local axes)
    ; and PositionEntity (absolute coordinates).
    TranslateEntity satellite,x,y,z

    ; The satellite tumbles constantly - yet the keys always move it the same way
    TurnEntity satellite,1,1,0

    RenderWorld

    Text 0,0,"Cursors/A/Z: translate   Esc: exit"
    Text 0,20,"TranslateEntity satellite,"+x+","+y+","+z+"   (world axes)"

    Flip

Wend

End

Index