[n00b]Character/enemy movement synchronization

[Nigrev]

It's pretty hard to find a specific question using the surtshenjin. So I resort to posting.

I'm at a predicament, which most of you pros probably have been through when the almighty said " PROCESSES ARE THE DEVIL h4xx0rz !!!11".

You will see here, with incomplete comments:

code:

%================== %Movement test program 001 %By:Nigrev %================== %importing external modules/setscreen/odd var declaration import ("BSprite.tu") %external Bacchus Sprites module.  Thnx to Bacchus of Compsci!!! setscreen ("graphics:800;600, nobuttonbar, offscreenonly,title:movetest") var background, speedboots, sbhave, sbx, sby, num : int background := Pic.FileNew ("grass.bmp") Pic.Draw (background, 1, 1, picMerge) %================================% %Creation of the type sprite (Sprt) and composite data of sprite type Sprt :     record         pic, x, y, rlmovesp1, rlmovesp2, udmovesp, movesp : int     end record %=================================% %Creation of paladin var paladin : Sprt paladin.x := 100 %intitialize x position at 100 paladin.y := 100 %intitialize y position at 100 paladin.pic := BSprite.New (paladin.x, paladin.y, "pally1.bmp") %initialize sprite picture paladin.rlmovesp1 := 10 %\ paladin.rlmovesp2 := 5 % > movement speed modifications paladin.udmovesp := 15 %/ %=================================% %Creation of the extra sprites var enemy1 : Sprt enemy1.x := 500 enemy1.y := 100 enemy1.pic := BSprite.New (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, "summoner2.bmp") enemy1.movesp := 30 %=================================% var chars : array char of boolean sbx := 500 sby := 400 sbhave := 0 speedboots := BSprite.New (sbx, sby, "speedboots.bmp") View.Update procedure pallymove     Input.KeyDown (chars)     if chars (KEY_UP_ARROW) then         BSprite.Change ("pally6.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 10             paladin.y := paladin.y + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.udmovesp)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally6-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 10             paladin.y := paladin.y + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.udmovesp)             View.Update         end for     elsif chars (KEY_DOWN_ARROW) then         BSprite.Change ("pally5.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 10             paladin.y := paladin.y - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.udmovesp)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally5-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 10             paladin.y := paladin.y - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.udmovesp)             View.Update         end for     elsif chars (KEY_RIGHT_ARROW) then         BSprite.Change ("pally3-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp1)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally7-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp2)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally2-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp1)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally7-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp2)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally1-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         View.Update     elsif chars (KEY_LEFT_ARROW) then         BSprite.Change ("pally3.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp1)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally7.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp2)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp1)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally7.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp2)             View.Update         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally1.bmp", paladin.pic)         View.Update     end if     if paladin.x = sbx and paladin.y = sby then         sbhave := 1         BSprite.Change ("emptysprite.bmp", speedboots)     end if     if sbhave = 1 then         paladin.udmovesp := 3         paladin.rlmovesp1 := 2         paladin.rlmovesp2 := 3     end if end pallymove procedure enemymove1     if num = 1 then         for i : 1 .. 20             enemy1.x += 1             BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)             Time.Delay (enemy1.movesp)             View.Update         end for     end if     if num = 2 then         for i : 1 .. 20             enemy1.x -= 1             BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)             Time.Delay (enemy1.movesp)             View.Update         end for     end if     if num = 3 then         for i : 1 .. 20             enemy1.y += 1             BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)             Time.Delay (enemy1.movesp)             View.Update         end for     end if     if num = 4 then         for i : 1 .. 20             enemy1.y -= 1             BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)             Time.Delay (enemy1.movesp)             View.Update         end for     end if end enemymove1 loop     randint (num, 1, 4)     enemymove1     pallymove     if paladin.x >= maxx then         paladin.x := 0     elsif paladin.x <= 0 then         paladin.x := maxx     end if     if paladin.y >= maxy then         paladin.y := 0     elsif paladin.y <= 0 then         paladin.y := maxy     end if end loop

Monster of a code, innit?
Sorry about the pictures, modify it a bit so you can run it without messing with the movement mechanism.

As you can see, it plays like a damn board game . You gotta wait for the enemy to move before the paladin can go another space . How do you (un)synchronize both the movements without the use of processes, and (hopefully) no palllymove/enemy1move procedure fusion? I need a workaround based on my skill level, unless it is impossible. Then tell me the books to read.

This is for an assignment, so plx no code rewriting. And plx no "LEARN CLASSES, [s]n00b[/s] " or whatnot, because it's due January; I have limited time to learn now (i wish this was not so ).
I'm on basically pre-pre-pre-pre-alphastage.

Thnx.

[ericfourfour]

Don't worry, most people won't recommend classes to someone who has trouble spelling search engine.

What you basically need is a variable that keeps track of each characters movement. Every frame update that variable for each character. You should also disable the character's ability to change directions while it is moving.

Say you want to move 16 pixels at 1 pixel/frame (it will take 16 frames to complete the character's movement). You would create a variable to store the character's movement and a flag that prevents the character from changing directions.

A bit of code to work with.

code:

var movement : array 1 .. amount_of_characters of int %Make this a real if you get good at it. var max_movement : int %This can be an array if the characters travel different distances var controls_disabled : array 1 .. amount_of_characters of boolean %Disables the characters controls var moving : array 1 .. amount_of_characters of boolean %True if the character is moving loop     if not controls_disabled (character)         check controls             if a moving control was used                 movement (current_character) := 0                 controls_disabled (current_character) := true      if moving (current_character)          movement (current_character) += 1          if movement (current_character) > max_movement              moving (current_character) := false              controls_disabled (current_character) := false end loop

If you look closely you will notice that moving is always the same as controls_disabled so you only really need one.

[Nigrev]

This helps how? Disable why? I don't get the code...

The character does not change directions while moving anyway(which one are you talking about?)

So.. okay, i keep track of the movements, then disable the control if it goes to far?

This is what I have so far

code:

%importing external modules/setscreen/odd var declaration import ("BSprite.tu") %external Bacchus Sprites module.  Thnx to Bacchus of Compsci!!! setscreen ("graphics:800;600, nobuttonbar, offscreenonly,title:movetest") var background, speedboots, sbhave, sbx, sby, num : int background := Pic.FileNew ("grass.bmp") Pic.Draw (background, 1, 1, picMerge) %============================ %Some guy on compsci told me to use this, still testing what it does var movement : array 1 .. 3 of int var max_movement : int var disable_controls : array 1 .. 3 of boolean var moving : array 1 .. 3 of boolean max_movement := 20 movement (1) := 0 movement (2) := 0 disable_controls(1):=false %================================% %Creation of the type sprite (Sprt) and composite data of sprite type Sprt :     record         pic, x, y, rlmovesp1, rlmovesp2, udmovesp, movesp : int     end record %=================================% %Creation of paladin var paladin : Sprt paladin.x := 100 %intitialize x position at 100 paladin.y := 100 %intitialize y position at 100 paladin.pic := BSprite.New (paladin.x, paladin.y, "pally1.bmp") %initialize sprite picture paladin.rlmovesp1 := 10 %\ paladin.rlmovesp2 := 5  % > movement speed modifications paladin.udmovesp := 15  %/ %=================================% %Creation of the extra sprites var enemy1 : Sprt enemy1.x := 500 enemy1.y := 300 enemy1.pic := BSprite.New (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, "summoner2.bmp") enemy1.movesp := 30 %=================================% var chars : array char of boolean sbx := 500 sby := 400 sbhave := 0 speedboots := BSprite.New (sbx, sby, "speedboots.bmp") View.Update procedure pallymove     Input.KeyDown (chars)     if chars (KEY_UP_ARROW) then         moving (1):= true         BSprite.Change ("pally6.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 10             paladin.y := paladin.y + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.udmovesp)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally6-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 10             paladin.y := paladin.y + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.udmovesp)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for     elsif chars (KEY_DOWN_ARROW) then         moving (1):= true         BSprite.Change ("pally5.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 10             paladin.y := paladin.y - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.udmovesp)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally5-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 10             paladin.y := paladin.y - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.udmovesp)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for     elsif chars (KEY_RIGHT_ARROW) then         moving (1):= true         BSprite.Change ("pally3-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp1)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally7-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp2)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally2-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp1)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally7-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x + 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp2)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally1-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         View.Update     elsif chars (KEY_LEFT_ARROW) then         moving (1):= true         BSprite.Change ("pally3.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp1)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally7.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp2)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally2.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp1)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally7.bmp", paladin.pic)         for i : 1 .. 5             paladin.x := paladin.x - 1             BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)             Time.Delay (paladin.rlmovesp2)             View.Update             movement (1) += 1         end for         BSprite.Change ("pally1.bmp", paladin.pic)         View.Update     end if     moving := false     if paladin.x = sbx and paladin.y = sby then         sbhave := 1         BSprite.Change ("emptysprite.bmp", speedboots)     end if     if sbhave = 1 then         paladin.udmovesp := 3         paladin.rlmovesp1 := 2         paladin.rlmovesp2 := 3     end if end pallymove procedure enemymove1     if num = 1 then     moving (2):=true        for i : 1 .. 20             enemy1.x += 1             BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)             Time.Delay (enemy1.movesp)             View.Update         movement (2) += 1             end for     end if     if num = 2 then         moving (2):=true     for i : 1 .. 20             enemy1.x -= 1             BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)             Time.Delay (enemy1.movesp)             View.Update         movement (2) += 1             end for     end if     if num = 3 then         moving (2):=true     for i : 1 .. 20             enemy1.y += 1             BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)             Time.Delay (enemy1.movesp)             View.Update             movement (2) += 1         end for     end if     if num = 4 then         moving (2):=true     for i : 1 .. 20             enemy1.y -= 1             BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)             Time.Delay (enemy1.movesp)             View.Update             movement (2) += 1         end for     end if end enemymove1 loop     randint (num, 1, 4)     enemymove1     pallymove     if paladin.x >= maxx then         paladin.x := 0     elsif paladin.x <= 0 then         paladin.x := maxx     end if     if paladin.y >= maxy then         paladin.y := 0     elsif paladin.y <= 0 then         paladin.y := maxy     end if end loop

[ericfourfour]

This is how you should try to solve this problem. Think of a way that does not require for loops. The way I suggest is to instead of using for loops, update the characters position every iteration of the main loop. This means you will need to keep track of every characters position. The position I'm referring to is the movement that is happening in the for loops.

[Nigrev]

how do I get my character to go a full 20 pixels if i do not have a for loop?
also, my character changes sprites every 10 or 5 pixels to immitate walking steps. I don't want to move the sprite every ten or five pixels, I want it updated every 1 pixel for smooth animation, that's why i used the for loops.

[Nigrev]

This sucks, i can't edit my post. anyway, how is controls_disabled supposed to work? y:=y?

[ericfourfour]

Instead of moving them in a for loop move them in the main loop. It requires a bit more logical thinking but is more flexible. If you look at the for loop you will see that you declare a variable that either increases or decreases. Think of the main loop as a giant for loop except you have to make actual variables that increase or decrease for every character. Do you follow me yet?

And don't worry about disabling the character's controls yet. You will understand why you need it when you get the first part working.

[Nigrev]

i hear ya.

code:

%importing external modules/setscreen/odd var declaration import ("BSprite.tu") %external Bacchus Sprites module.  Thnx to Bacchus of Compsci!!! setscreen ("graphics:800;600, nobuttonbar, offscreenonly,title:movetest") var background, speedboots, sbhave, sbx, sby, num : int background := Pic.FileNew ("grass.bmp") Pic.Draw (background, 1, 1, picMerge) %============================ %Some guy on compsci told me to use this, still testing what it does var disable_controls : array 1 .. 3 of boolean var moving : array 1 .. 3 of boolean disable_controls (1) := false disable_controls (2) := false %================================% %Creation of the type sprite (Sprt) and composite data of sprite type Sprt :     record         pic, x, y, movesp, movement : int         up, down, left, right : boolean     end record %=================================% %Creation of paladin var paladin : Sprt paladin.x := 100 %intitialize x position at 100 paladin.y := 100 %intitialize y position at 100 paladin.pic := BSprite.New (paladin.x, paladin.y, "pally1.bmp") %initialize sprite picture paladin.movesp := 1 paladin.up := false paladin.down := false paladin.right := false paladin.left := false paladin.movement := 0 %=================================% %Creation of the extra sprites var enemy1 : Sprt enemy1.x := 500 enemy1.y := 300 enemy1.pic := BSprite.New (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, "summoner2.bmp") enemy1.movesp := 1 enemy1.movement := 0 randint (num, 1, 4) %=================================% var chars : array char of boolean sbx := 500 sby := 400 sbhave := 0 speedboots := BSprite.New (sbx, sby, "speedboots.bmp") View.Update procedure pallymove     if paladin.up = true then         if paladin.movement <= 10 then             BSprite.Change ("pally6.bmp", paladin.pic)         elsif paladin.movement > 10 then             BSprite.Change ("pally6-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         end if         paladin.y += paladin.movesp         paladin.movement += paladin.movesp         BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)         View.Update     elsif paladin.down = true then         if paladin.movement <= 10 then             BSprite.Change ("pally5.bmp", paladin.pic)         elsif paladin.movement > 10 then             BSprite.Change ("pally5-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         end if         paladin.y -= paladin.movesp         BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)         View.Update         paladin.movement += paladin.movesp     elsif paladin.right = true then         if paladin.movement <= 5 then             BSprite.Change ("pally3-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         elsif paladin.movement > 5 and paladin.movement < 11 then             BSprite.Change ("pally7-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         elsif paladin.movement > 10 and paladin.movement < 16 then             BSprite.Change ("pally2-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         elsif paladin.movement > 15 and paladin.movement < 21 then             BSprite.Change ("pally7-2.bmp", paladin.pic)         end if         paladin.x += paladin.movesp         BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)         View.Update         paladin.movement += paladin.movesp     elsif paladin.left = true then         if paladin.movement <= 5 then             BSprite.Change ("pally3.bmp", paladin.pic)         elsif paladin.movement > 5 and paladin.movement <= 10 then             BSprite.Change ("pally7.bmp", paladin.pic)         elsif paladin.movement > 10 and paladin.movement <= 15 then             BSprite.Change ("pally2.bmp", paladin.pic)         elsif paladin.movement > 15 and paladin.movement <= 20 then             BSprite.Change ("pally7.bmp", paladin.pic)         end if         paladin.x := paladin.x - paladin.movesp         BSprite.Move (paladin.x, paladin.y, paladin.pic)         View.Update         paladin.movement += paladin.movesp         View.Update     end if     Input.KeyDown (chars)     if chars (KEY_UP_ARROW) and disable_controls (1) = false then         paladin.up := true         disable_controls (1) := true     elsif chars (KEY_DOWN_ARROW) and disable_controls (1) = false then         paladin.down := true         disable_controls (1) := true     elsif chars (KEY_RIGHT_ARROW) and disable_controls (1) = false then         paladin.right := true         disable_controls (1) := true     elsif chars (KEY_LEFT_ARROW) and disable_controls (1) = false then         paladin.left := true         disable_controls (1) := true     end if     if paladin.movement >= 20 then         disable_controls (1) := false         paladin.movement := 0     end if end pallymove procedure enemymove1     if num = 1 and disable_controls (2) = false then         enemy1.x += enemy1.movesp         BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)         View.Update         enemy1.movement += enemy1.movesp     elsif num = 2 and disable_controls (2) = false then         enemy1.x -= enemy1.movesp         BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)         View.Update         enemy1.movement += enemy1.movesp     elsif num = 3 and disable_controls (2) = false then         enemy1.y += 1         BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)         View.Update         enemy1.movement += 1     elsif num = 4 and disable_controls (2) = false then         enemy1.y -= enemy1.movesp         BSprite.Move (enemy1.x, enemy1.y, enemy1.pic)         View.Update         enemy1.movement += enemy1.movesp     end if     if enemy1.movement >= 20 then         disable_controls (2) := true         enemy1.movement := 0     end if     if enemy1.movement = 0 then         randint (num, 1, 4)     end if end enemymove1 loop     disable_controls (1) := false     disable_controls (2) := false     enemymove1     pallymove     if paladin.x >= maxx then         paladin.x := 0     elsif paladin.x <= 0 then         paladin.x := maxx     end if     if paladin.y >= maxy then         paladin.y := 0     elsif paladin.y <= 0 then         paladin.y := maxy     end if     if paladin.x > (sbx - 20) and paladin.x < (sbx + 20) and paladin.y > (sby - 20) and paladin.y < (sby + 20) then         sbhave := 1         BSprite.Change ("emptysprite.bmp", speedboots)     end if     if sbhave = 1 then         paladin.movesp := 2     end if end loop

but now if the controllable character is at a standstill, the other sprites move faster than wanted. do i have to put an extra piece of coding in on the players part to give an extra delay when not moving?

[ericfourfour]

Just one suggestion before you continue. Make it so you only have 1 View.Update, 1 cls (or Draw.FillBox over the screen), and one delay in the program. Make sure those go in the main loop.

The order I always use is:

code:

update variables draw everything View.Update Time.Delay (1000 / fps) cls

About the characters going faster. With the above implemented into your code all your characters will need is a speed variable which is how many pixels they move per frame.

If you get that implemented then you may want to make the characters speed a real number. That way they can move at a more precise speed. You would need to use the round () function though (it rounds a real number to an integer number).

[Nigrev]

i don't use cls, hehe