Finding the root object

[juur]

This is probably a dumb question, but how can I search for a random entity by name when I don't know it's parent?

 

Is there a way to do root:FindChild() ? If so, how do I get the 'root' entity?

 

On the documentation page for World it has

• std::list<Entity*> entities
  

 

But I can't figure out how to access this from Lua.

 

I have a number of different cameras, as childs to different entities, and I need to find the Camera entity so I can switch cameras. The cameras are not created in code so I have no handle.

[Averice]

Set the camera as a variable on the entity? That way you can just lookup the entities own camera from the entity itself.

[juur]

But how can I find that entity? How can I find arbitrary entities in code ...

[AggrorJorn]

Perhaps you find this useful:

http://leadwerks.wikidot.com/wiki:entityindexer

[juur]

Thanks Aggror, that looks useful. I'm surprised that the core World class doesn't support ":getRoot()" or :FindChild(), seems to be a gap in the API.

[Rick]

I wouldn't use multiple cameras as who knows what a pain will happen there. I'd use pivots as location/rotation markers and just move your 1 camera around to those pivots. I think an "unsupported" way is world:FindEntity(""). Not sure what it'll do if the same name exists with more than 1.

[juur]

Thanks Rick, that does the trick and I agree multiple cameras is probably a bad thing.

 

There also doesn't seem to be an API for the current camera either, the App.camera field indicated here isn't populated, are all the C++ style members in the documentation invalid for Lua?

[MarkusR]

maybe this help you

 

World.ForEachEntityInAABBDo

[AggrorJorn]

It is there under entities: http://www.leadwerks.com/werkspace/page/documentation/_/command-reference/camera/

[juur]

It is there under entities: http://www.leadwerks.com/werkspace/page/documentation/_/command-reference/camera/

Not sure I follow? I can't see anything about entities on the page for the Camera class.

maybe this help you

 

World.ForEachEntityInAABBDo

A bit of a hack but could work. Doesn't feel right to be (ab)using that sort of feature for such a basic 'global search' feature.

[AggrorJorn]

[shadmar]

You can also do this (not supported tho) :

 

-- Get world

self.world=World:GetCurrent()

 

--Find camera by looping over every entity in self.world:

if self.camera==nil then

for i=0,self.world:CountEntities()-1 do --CountEntities is not a supported command

if self.world:GetEntity(i):GetClass()==Object.CameraClass then

self.camera=self.world:GetEntity(i) --GetEntity is not a supported command

tolua.cast(self.camera,"Camera")

System:Print(self.world:GetEntity(i):GetClassName())

break

end

end

end

[juur]

<snip>

I still have no idea what you're getting at, sorry. I know how to open the page on Camera, and I know Camera is derived from Entity, but how does that help?

 

I still have no idea what you're getting at, sorry. I know how to open the page on Camera, and I know Camera is derived from Entity, but how does that help?

Ahh, I meant there is no way (or i can't find one) of *getting the current camera* not *the camera isn't documented*

[MarkusR]

recursive GetParent should also bring you to root item from any entity, but i not tested myself.