Short example of Math::ATan2

[Vulcan]

Today I got into little problem with how to get a entity to look at a specific point Vec3(x, 1, z).

I would suggest updating the Math::ATan2 documentation to include an example of how to do this with both C++ and Lua.

I found this explaination usefull.

 

Another suggestion could be to add a method for Entity class. Maybe something like:

Entity::LookAtXZ(..) for 2d look at XZ (still usefull for 3d)

Entity::LookAtXYZ(..) for 3d look at (ie: a players head looking at something, just like minecraft does)

[gamecreator]

http://www.leadwerks.com/werkspace/page/documentation/_/command-reference/entity/entitypoint-r167

[Vulcan]

But what if I need to point it at a Vec3 coordinate?

[gamecreator]

Put an entity there?

 

Long answer:

 

Create a box at the start of your program. Hide it.

 

Whenever you need to point something at a location:

• Unhide box
  
• Position it to location
  
• Point entity at box
  
• Hide box
  

[Vulcan]

Put an entity there?

 

Long answer:

 

Create a box at the start of your program. Hide it.

 

Whenever you need to point something at a location:

• Unhide box
  
• Position it to location
  
• Point entity at box
  
• Hide box
  

Thats quite a creative solution I must say, but still I think a Entity::LookAt(..) would look cleaner way to do it.

This works and I think this is something that LE should have:

void LookAt(Vec3 lookAt)
{
// Calculate angle from point A towards point B
Vec3 tv = lookAt - obj->GetPosition();
float tRoty = Math::ATan2(tv.x, tv.z);
// Look at point B (height is excluded)
obj->SetRotation(Vec3(0.0f, tRoty, 0.0f));
}

 

EDIT: Physics must be set to rigid mode temporary when SetRotation

[Haydenmango]

I would like an Entity:LookAt() function. Would save me some lines of messy math code.

Also you could use SetInput(rot.y) for a character controller instead of switching its physics mode temporarily to use SetRotation(0,rot.y,0). At least I think that should work.