Interact with Entities using an Expression Gate (Like pressing E)

[Rybec]

If you give it some sort of prop protection, it kind of defeats the purpose. You wouldn't be able to hit map buttons, because you don't own them.
Perhaps, as a limiting factor, give it some sort of timer? You can only use the function, say, three/four times per second?
That, or add some sort of distance restraint, so it can only use entities within a certain distance of either the chip, or a prop you own?
E:use() - Simulates a "use" on E if E is within 500 units of the expression gate.
E:use(E2) - Simulates a "use" on E if E is within 500 units of E2. E2 must be owned by the chip's owner in order to work.
Returns 1 if successful, 0 if not?

This could be gotten around by applyforcing a prop next to the buttons you wanna hit, but that can be done with the current user too.

[Matthias]

That Prop Protection isn't really sensefull is true.

The Range-Thing:
I'm very new to LUA-Programming (but not to programming...), and i dont know, how i can access the entity of the expression gate, that is calling the function...
Than It would be able to check, if it is in range.


The time-limit:
Is - i think - harder to implement, because you need to store, when it was last called.

I also thought about giving the function a "cost" (whatever it is) or delay depending on the range of the targetting entity.

Also:
we have to think about, if it isnt allready limited by itself, because the gate needs to have the entity.
(Dont know, if the find-functions are limited)

[Matthias]

So i added the Restriction in Range(500) and the ability to provide another Entity, which might be more near to the targetentity.
Also I changed the Player-Entity, that is supplied with the "Use" to be the Owner of the Expression Gate Calling the function.

Moar suggestions? Is it "Ok" like that?

local function use_entity_from_e2(self,this,otherent)
	local ent = self.entity
	if  not this then 
		return 0 
	end
	if  not this:IsValid() then 
		return 0 
	end
	if (this.IsWorld()) then 
		return 0
	end	
	if otherent then
		if not otherent:IsValid() then 
			return 0 
		end
		if otherent:IsWorld() then
			return 0
		end
		if not (E2Lib.getOwner(self,otherent)==self.entity:GetPlayer()) then
			return 0
		end	
		ent=otherent
	end
	-- range calculation stolen from vector.lua
	local rv1, rv2 = ent:GetPos(), this:GetPos()
	local rvd1, rvd2, rvd3 = rv1[1] - rv2[1], rv1[2] - rv2[2], rv1[3] - rv2[3]
	local range = ((rvd1 * rvd1 + rvd2 * rvd2 + rvd3 * rvd3) ^ 0.5)
	if(range > 500) then
		return 0
	end
	if this.Use and this.GetPlayer then
		hook.Call("PlayerUse") -- because sk89q said so
		this:Use(self.entity:GetPlayer())
		return 1
	end
end
e2function normal entity:use()
	return use_entity_from_e2(self,this)
end
e2function normal entity:use(entity otherent)
	return use_entity_from_e2(self,this,otherent)
end

[sk89q]

hook.Call() this before letting people use entities:
Gamemode.PlayerUse - GMod Wiki

[Matthias]

Do you want me to check for the returnvalue of Gamemod.PlayerUse or do you want me to call the hook?

Btw: are there any small chances, that this will go to public branch?

[sk89q]

Call the hook and check its value to see if the player should be able to use that entity.

[Matthias]

Hi,

Calling The Hook is easy:

hook.Call("PlayerUse")

But how to check its value?
This is only returning several nil's.

(Sorry for not answering so long - was not at home)

Greetings

EDIT: Edited the code above

[Matthias]

local function use_entity_from_e2(self,this,otherent)
	local ent = self.entity
	if  not this then -- called on an nil-entity: return 0
		return 0 
	end
	if  not this:IsValid() then --called on an nonvalid-entity: return 0
		return 0 
	end
	if (this.IsWorld()) then --called on world: return 0
		return 0
	end	
	if(this:IsPlayer( )) then --yuu cant use a player - huh? (this is also catched by this.Use ...)
		return 0
	end
	if otherent then -- if otherent is provided and not nil
		if not otherent:IsValid() then 
			return 0 
		end
		if otherent:IsWorld() then
			return 0
		end
		if not (E2Lib.getOwner(self,otherent)==self.entity:GetPlayer()) then
			return 0
		end	
		ent=otherent --use otherent to check range
	end
	-- range calculation stolen from vector.lua
	local rv1, rv2 = ent:GetPos(), this:GetPos()
	local rvd1, rvd2, rvd3 = rv1[1] - rv2[1], rv1[2] - rv2[2], rv1[3] - rv2[3]
	local range = ((rvd1 * rvd1 + rvd2 * rvd2 + rvd3 * rvd3) ^ 0.5)
	if(range > 500) then
		return 0
	end
	if this.Use and this.GetPlayer then
		hook.Call("PlayerUse") -- because sk89q said so
		this:Use(self.entity:GetPlayer())
		return 1
	end
	return 0
end
e2function normal entity:use()
	return use_entity_from_e2(self,this)
end
e2function normal entity:use(entity otherent)
	return use_entity_from_e2(self,this,otherent)
end

Well... i have added some comments and a check for isPlayer().
Think its ready now.

Would be great, if it would go to public branch - or give arguments, why it shouldn't