RTS camera control, with mouse wheel zoom ?

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Major Payn

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 03:34

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Hello, I would like to know how I would create a RTS style camera system, that allows you to move the camera using the arrow keys, and zoom in and out using the mouse wheel.

Thank you.

Guns arn't the problem, people are the problem, shoot all the people and guns arn't a problem anymore.

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Emperor Baal

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 04:29

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I'm not giving you code, but some helpful ideas instead:

Make a x# and z# variable.
Position the camera using those 2 variables.
Now increase / decrease the value of those variables when the user presses on the arrowkeys, or when the mouse is near the edge of the screen.

When you detect mousewheel movement ( mousez() ) just use move camera to move the camera.
Because your game is a RTS, the camera is always pointed to the terrain, so it will work

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Major Payn

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 04:48 Edited at: 23rd Dec 2004 05:00

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Thanks, everything is working except for the mouse wheel, I don't know how to use the mousez in a command. How would I check to see if it is being scrolled up or down? And how would I put that into an if-then statement?

Guns arn't the problem, people are the problem, shoot all the people and guns arn't a problem anymore.

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BearCDPOLD

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 06:21

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The mousez command works the same as the mousex and mousey command except that is goes by the scroll wheel instead of the x and y pixels across the screen.

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Sony stole our name!

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Chris K

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 06:45

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+ Code Snippet

make object cube 1,1

sync on
do

zMouseMove# = mousemovez()

Variable# = Variable# + zMouseMove# / 300

position object 1, 0, Variable#, 0

position camera 0,0,-10
point camera    0,0,0

sync
loop

mousemovez() only seems to give out -120 and 120.

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Major Payn

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 07:30

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I still don't understand what your doing up there. I want to check if the mouse wheel is being scrolled up or down, and move the camera forward or backwards accordingly. Here is my code so far....

+ Code Snippet

`Vital project stats
`Name: Worlds at war
`Started: wednesday, December 22, 2004
`Genre: Strategy
`Author: Jerad Laxson
`Programmer: Jerad Laxson
`Artist: Jerad Laxson

`PLANETARY ARRAYS
dim earth(0)
dim venus(0)
dim mercury(0)
dim jupider(0)
dim mars(0)
dim saturn(0)
dim neptune(0)
dim uranus(0)
dim pluto(0)
`camera variables!
x#=0
y#=0
z#=-50

`Planetary variabes 0=neutral, 1=player, 2=enemy
earth(0)=1
venus(0)=0
mercury(0)=0
jupider(0)=0
mars(0)=0
saturn(0)=0
neptune(0)=0
uranus(0)=0
pluto(0)=0

`make planets
earth=1
make object sphere earth, 30
color object earth,RGB(0,255,0)
set object collision on earth


`main loop!
do

`Camera stuff!
position camera 0+x#,0+y#,0+z#
if rightkey()=1
   x#=x#+1
endif
if leftkey()=1
 x#=x#-1
endif
if upkey()=1
y#=y#+1
endif
if downkey()=1
y#=y#-1
endif



loop

Guns arn't the problem, people are the problem, shoot all the people and guns arn't a problem anymore.

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Arkheii

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 12:20

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Here's the mousewheel zoom.

+ Code Snippet

sync on
sync rate 0
hide mouse
autocam off

make object sphere 1,16
position object 1,0,0,32

MouseZLast = 0
MouseZNow = 0
`DBC Default camera FOV
FOV# = 3.14/2.905

while escapekey() = 0
   set cursor 0,0

   MouseZNow = mousemovez()
   if MouseZNow <> MouseZLast
      if MouseZNow > MouseZLast
      `Mousewheel down, zoom out
            FOV# = FOV# - 0.02
      else
         if MouseZNow < MouseZLast
         `Mousewheel up, zoom in
            FOV# = FOV# + 0.02
         endif
      endif

      `zoom out
      if FOV# > 2.905 then FOV# = 2.905
      `zoom in
      if FOV# < 0.314 then FOV# = 0.314
      MouseZLast = MouseZNow
      `set the FOV for zooming
      set camera fov FOV#

   endif
   sync
endwhile

I suggest using 'set camera fov' for zooming instead of 'move camera'.

You have to compare the current value of mousemovez() with the last value of mousemovez() and see if it is greater or less. Print the value of MouseZNow and MouseZLast and you'll see why.

I spelled "disappointment" wrong. Pahintulutan ang di-inaasahang nakakahiyang pagkakamaling dulot ng kamangmangan. Have at you.

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Wolfee

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 19:06

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I've got a scroll source, but it zooms with the up and down buttons, and it scrolls with the mouse

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Wolfee

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 19:06

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I've got a scroll source, but it zooms with the up and down buttons, and it scrolls with the mouse

+ Code Snippet

make object cube 1,1
yrotate object 1,45
make matrix 1,100,100,25,25
tav=85
do
if mouseclick()=0
 if upkey()=1 then tav=tav-5
  if tav<=10 then tav=10
 if downkey()=1 then tav=tav+5
  if tav>=180 then tav=180
 if mousex()<=0 then x=x-10 : z=z+10
  if x<=0 then x=0
 if mousex()>=639 then x=x+10 : z=z-10
  if x>=1000 then x=1000
 if mousey()<=0 then z=z+10 : x=x+10
  if z<=0 then z=0
 if mousey()>=479 then z=z-10 : x=x-10
  if z>=1000 then z=1000
 if mousex()<=0 and mousey()<=0 then z=z-20 : z=z+10
 if mousex()<=0 and mousey()>=479 then x=x+20 : x=x-10
 if mousex()>=639 and mousey()<=0 then x=x-20 : x=x+10
 if mousex()>=639 and mousey()>=479 then z=z+20 : z=z-10
endif
position object 1,x,0,z
set camera to follow object position x(1),object position y(1),object position z(1),object angle y(1),tav,object position y(1)+tav,1,0
point camera object position x(1),object position y(1),object position z(1)
loop

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Benjamin

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 22:22

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You didn't have to post it twice

CURRENT PROJECT: Chaos Hizzle Demo

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TEH_CODERER

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2004 22:36

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I don't think he meant to.

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http://www.freewebs.com/elbsoftware/index.htm

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Major Payn

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Location: United States of America

Posted: 24th Dec 2004 00:04

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Quote: " Here's the mousewheel zoom.

+ Code Snippet

sync on
sync rate 0
hide mouse
autocam off

make object sphere 1,16
position object 1,0,0,32

MouseZLast = 0
MouseZNow = 0
`DBC Default camera FOV
FOV# = 3.14/2.905

while escapekey() = 0
set cursor 0,0

MouseZNow = mousemovez()
if MouseZNow <> MouseZLast
if MouseZNow > MouseZLast
`Mousewheel down, zoom out
FOV# = FOV# - 0.02
else
if MouseZNow < MouseZLast
`Mousewheel up, zoom in
FOV# = FOV# + 0.02
endif
endif

`zoom out
if FOV# > 2.905 then FOV# = 2.905
`zoom in
if FOV# < 0.314 then FOV# = 0.314
MouseZLast = MouseZNow
`set the FOV for zooming
set camera fov FOV#

endif
sync
endwhile

I suggest using 'set camera fov' for zooming instead of 'move camera'.

You have to compare the current value of mousemovez() with the last value of mousemovez() and see if it is greater or less. Print the value of MouseZNow and MouseZLast and you'll see why.
"

Ok thanks, your code worked, but I found that the Fov commands were stretching objects, so I changed it to a simple move camera command. However, I have encountered a problem. I can now scroll in and out with the mouse, but I can no longer move the camera left, right, up, or down. Any ideas why? Here is my code.....

`Vital project stats
`Name: Worlds at war
`Started: wednesday, December 22, 2004
`Genre: Strategy
`Author: Jerad Laxson
`Programmer: Jerad Laxson
`Artist: Jerad Laxson

`PLANETARY ARRAYS
dim earth(0)
dim venus(0)
dim mercury(0)
dim jupider(0)
dim mars(0)
dim saturn(0)
dim neptune(0)
dim uranus(0)
dim pluto(0)
`camera variables!
x#=0
y#=0
z#=-100

`Planetary variabes 0=neutral, 1=player, 2=enemy
earth(0)=1
venus(0)=0
mercury(0)=0
jupider(0)=0
mars(0)=0
saturn(0)=0
neptune(0)=0
uranus(0)=0
pluto(0)=0

`make planets
mercury=1
make object sphere mercury,25
color object mercury,RGB(155,50,50)
set object collision on mercury
position object mercury,-180,10,0

venus=2
make object sphere venus,30
color object venus,RGB(100,90,90)
set object collision on venus
position object venus, -90,-80,0

earth=3
make object sphere earth, 30
color object earth,RGB(0,255,0)
set object collision on earth
position object earth,0,0,0

mars=4
make object sphere mars, 20
color object mars,RGB(255,0,0)
set object collision on mars
position object mars,80,100,0

jupider=5
make object sphere jupider, 80
color object jupider, RGB(100,50,50)
set object collision on jupider
position object jupider, 150,0,0

`ZOOM
MouseZLast = 0
MouseZNow = 0
`DBC Default camera FOV
FOV# = 3.14/2.905

while escapekey() = 0
   set cursor 0,0

MouseZNow = mousemovez()
   if MouseZNow <> MouseZLast
      if MouseZNow > MouseZLast
      `Mousewheel down, zoom out
             move camera -10
      else
         if MouseZNow < MouseZLast
         `Mousewheel up, zoom in
            move camera 10
         endif
      endif

`zoom out
      if FOV# > 2.905 then FOV# = 2.905
      `zoom in
      if FOV# < 0.314 then FOV# = 0.314
      MouseZLast = MouseZNow
      `set the FOV for zooming
      set camera fov FOV#
 endif
   sync
endwhile

`main loop!
sync on
sync rate 30
do

`Camera stuff!
position camera 0+x#,0+y#,0+z#
if rightkey()=1
   x#=x#+1
endif
if leftkey()=1
 x#=x#-1
endif
if upkey()=1
y#=y#+1
endif
if downkey()=1
y#=y#-1
endif
sync
loop

+ Code Snippet

`Vital project stats
`Name: Worlds at war
`Started: wednesday, December 22, 2004
`Genre: Strategy
`Author: Jerad Laxson
`Programmer: Jerad Laxson
`Artist: Jerad Laxson

`PLANETARY ARRAYS
dim earth(0)
dim venus(0)
dim mercury(0)
dim jupider(0)
dim mars(0)
dim saturn(0)
dim neptune(0)
dim uranus(0)
dim pluto(0)
`camera variables!
x#=0
y#=0
z#=-100

`Planetary variabes 0=neutral, 1=player, 2=enemy
earth(0)=1
venus(0)=0
mercury(0)=0
jupider(0)=0
mars(0)=0
saturn(0)=0
neptune(0)=0
uranus(0)=0
pluto(0)=0

`make planets
mercury=1
make object sphere mercury,25
color object mercury,RGB(155,50,50)
set object collision on mercury
position object mercury,-180,10,0

venus=2
make object sphere venus,30
color object venus,RGB(100,90,90)
set object collision on venus
position object venus, -90,-80,0

earth=3
make object sphere earth, 30
color object earth,RGB(0,255,0)
set object collision on earth
position object earth,0,0,0

mars=4
make object sphere mars, 20
color object mars,RGB(255,0,0)
set object collision on mars
position object mars,80,100,0

jupider=5
make object sphere jupider, 80
color object jupider, RGB(100,50,50)
set object collision on jupider
position object jupider, 150,0,0


`ZOOM
MouseZLast = 0
MouseZNow = 0
`DBC Default camera FOV
FOV# = 3.14/2.905

while escapekey() = 0
   set cursor 0,0

   MouseZNow = mousemovez()
   if MouseZNow <> MouseZLast
      if MouseZNow > MouseZLast
      `Mousewheel down, zoom out
             move camera -10
      else
         if MouseZNow < MouseZLast
         `Mousewheel up, zoom in
            move camera 10
         endif
      endif

      `zoom out
      if FOV# > 2.905 then FOV# = 2.905
      `zoom in
      if FOV# < 0.314 then FOV# = 0.314
      MouseZLast = MouseZNow
      `set the FOV for zooming
      set camera fov FOV#
 endif
   sync
endwhile


`main loop!
sync on
sync rate 30
do

`Camera stuff!
position camera 0+x#,0+y#,0+z#
if rightkey()=1
   x#=x#+1
endif
if leftkey()=1
 x#=x#-1
endif
if upkey()=1
y#=y#+1
endif
if downkey()=1
y#=y#-1
endif
sync
loop

Guns arn't the problem, people are the problem, shoot all the people and guns arn't a problem anymore.

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Chris K

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Location: Lake Hylia

Posted: 24th Dec 2004 00:41

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Something like this works well:

make matrix 1, 10, 10, 10, 10

dim Camera#(2)
Camera#(1) = 5

sync on
do

Camera()

sync
loop

function Camera()
   Zoom()
   Scroll()
   position camera Camera#(0), Camera#(1), Camera#(2)
   rotate camera 45, 45, 0
endfunction

function Zoom()
      zMouseMove# = mousemovez()
      Movement#   = zMouseMove# / 500

if Camera#(1) > 3 or zMouseMove# < 0
         if Camera#(1) < 15 or zMouseMove# > 0
            Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) + Movement#
            Camera#(1) = Camera#(1) - Movement#
            Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) + Movement#
         endif
      endif

endfunction

function Scroll()
   if mousex() < 5
      Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) - 0.1
      Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) + 0.1
   endif
   if mousex() > 635
      Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) + 0.1
      Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) - 0.1
   endif
   if mousey() < 5
      Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) + 0.1
      Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) + 0.1
   endif
   if mousey() > 475
      Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) - 0.1
      Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) - 0.1
   endif
endfunction

+ Code Snippet

make matrix 1, 10, 10, 10, 10

dim Camera#(2)
Camera#(1) = 5

sync on
do

Camera()

sync
loop

function Camera()
   Zoom()
   Scroll()
   position camera Camera#(0), Camera#(1), Camera#(2)
   rotate camera 45, 45, 0
endfunction

function Zoom()
      zMouseMove# = mousemovez()
      Movement#   = zMouseMove# / 500

      if Camera#(1) > 3 or zMouseMove# < 0
         if Camera#(1) < 15 or zMouseMove# > 0
            Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) + Movement#
            Camera#(1) = Camera#(1) - Movement#
            Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) + Movement#
         endif
      endif

endfunction

function Scroll()
   if mousex() < 5
      Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) - 0.1
      Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) + 0.1
   endif
   if mousex() > 635
      Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) + 0.1
      Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) - 0.1
   endif
   if mousey() < 5
      Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) + 0.1
      Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) + 0.1
   endif
   if mousey() > 475
      Camera#(0) = Camera#(0) - 0.1
      Camera#(2) = Camera#(2) - 0.1
   endif
endfunction

Just put the functions in another file, then include it and just call Camera() every loop.

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Major Payn

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Posted: 24th Dec 2004 02:17 Edited at: 24th Dec 2004 02:19

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Ok, but how do I include and call it?

sorry, I'm new to external functions like this.

Oh, and can anybody figure out why the code I gave in my last post, doesn't let you move the camera around? It stopped working as soon as I added zooming.

Guns arn't the problem, people are the problem, shoot all the people and guns arn't a problem anymore.

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Chris K

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Posted: 24th Dec 2004 02:29

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You don't need to have them in a separate file, it's just a bit cleaner.

Just C + P the example it posted.

As you can see you just need to say Camera every loop. It really couldn't be easier.

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Major Payn

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Posted: 24th Dec 2004 03:35

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Hmm, I'm afraid that it isn't doing what I had hoped. Is there anyway to fix my original code, to make that work? Because as I had it, it zoomed, but would not move the camera with the arrow keys.

Thanks anyway though.

Guns arn't the problem, people are the problem, shoot all the people and guns arn't a problem anymore.

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