Normally you would animate this using a 3D package then using the DB commands to use your animations at will, but you can do it this way.
You need a bit of maths like SIN & COS to work out a general X,Y pos for rotating an object round a point.
So... It works a little like this:
A hand made rotation works like this (from BBC BASIC (2D only))
X=10:Y=10 ` The radius of X & Y
For D=0 to 359
raw X*SIN(D),Y*COS(D):NEXT D ` This will draw a circle.
Ok, next thing is to work out what two axies to use for this rotation.
I'll assume you have designed your object from facing the side, so you'll use the X & Y axis for rotation of the sword. Leave Z axis alone.
We'll say 0,0,0 is the point of origin, The Point Of Origin is important to work out from which point the sword will swing.
So XO is X Point Of Origin,
YO is Y Point Of origin, both =0. Z will always=0 for ease of use.
R is the Radius from XO & YO.(You can have an X & Y Radius for an oval type swing)
DS is degree start (from BBC BASIC, 0 degrees SIN & COS start at the top of a circle, so I'll assume the same for this but be aware it may be different.)
DE is degree end. DS=90 DE=270
So:
FOR D=DS to DE
OSITION OBJECT <sword>,XO#+(R#*SIN(D)),YO#+(R#*COS(D)),ZO#:NEXT D
This will make the object move round a semi circle, but will not rotate it so a varible is needed to know if the sword is swinging forwwards or backwards therefore:
IF direction=forwards Then Pitch Object Up <sword>,1
IF direction=backwards Then Pitch Object Down <sword>,1
Last thing is to OFFSET the object at the correct position.
Ok, so the sword is limbed to the box so no matter what oreintation that the box is at, the sword will behave like its in its original position - if you know what I mean - and will swing.
You'll have to work out how you are going to code this, but the basics are there.
Hope this of use - anyfurther Q's I'll be happy to try and answer them.
Lee
