invisible prop_

OK, I made my first test map, and it is looking good by the way:), but some of the props I have placed in my map are invisible, they are in the map as I can jump on them, and when I shoot the computer for instance, the gib is visible. I tried using props_physics, props_physics_mulitplayer, and props_static and none seem to make them visible. I know which of the above types you use effects some of the objects you can place such as the vending maching is the cs_office model directory, just trying to find some logic behind it. Any help would be appreciated!!

The problem here is probably because you need to ensure you use the
correct prop_ entity for the correct models. For example, a light
fitting won't appear if you place it as a prop_physics, while a barrel
won't appear as a prop_static. In this case you have tried the obvious
prop entity types, but you are using a complex prop. The computer is
made up of various components that move together and split apart, and
these more complex models need to be inserted using either prop_ragdoll
or prop_dynamic, depending on the model in question. I think the
computer would be inserted using a prop_dynamic, but I guess the only
way to be sure would be to test it out :smile:

Hope this cleared things up a bit.

Thanks for the reply, I will test out the dynamic and ragdoll to see how they work out. I have read on a few other forums that some of the models do not work once you compile the game, not too sure if I believe this or not. Have you had any problems with broken models? Or just wrong prop_ entity:) Thx again;)

All of the models should be functional save for some of the ones used for animating the player and hostages - the trickery with the prop entities is what's not causing them to appear.

Ok, I finally got it, chalk it up to new release bugs maybe, I placed it as prop_physics like I have done...uuhhhh...30 times before, and it worked:( Thanks for the help!!

prop_ragdolls are for placing corpses as props, methinks. It seems most likely. If you want your computer to be shootable and such, a physics or dynamic should suffice.

I'm having an issue with this as well, but I didn't think it worth posting my own topic.

I compiled a box-room with a single paint can with a prop_phys_multi. That worked fine, but as soon as I added more props, they all disappeared. I added a pallet, several more paint cans, and some pottery. Only the pallet is visable. They are all prop_phys_multi ents.

Did you play around (on purpose or otherwise) with the circles you can
drag out from the origins of prop entities? I'm not sure what they are
for, but I accidentally did so once and it stopped the models appearing
in game. Might be down to that, but otherwise I've no idea.

Hmm.. Yes I did have some trouble with accidentally fiddling with them. I'll give that a try. Thanks.

Edit/ You were right Reno. Thanks again.

I'm having problems too!

Entity: prop_static
Model: models/props_c17/fence01a.mdl

Now I dragged those circles (guessing they are for visual fields) all the way out, to cover the whole floor space but I still can't see them! Is it anything to do with using the Hammer Run thing? Surely not. What about the properties? Everything is default except I changed fade scale to 0, hoping it'd work. No such luck though. Someone please help or tell me if I'm using the wrong type of prop (and which one to use!).

If you check the status bar when you stretch the origins you see fademindist...so it affects those.

Typically you want Start Fade Distance to be -1 and End Fade Distance to be 0.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Nanodeath</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>If you check the status bar when you stretch the origins you see fademindist...so it affects those.

Typically you want Start Fade Distance to be -1 and End Fade Distance to be 0.

</DIV></DIV>
Still not working! Could it be the angles? I doubt that. Or possibly I'm using the wrong prop_ entity?

Angles seem unlikely...wrong prop entity is possible. Usually there's a compile error somewhere if that's the case.

I'm also having problems. Many times the probs exist, i can pick them up - throw them - but cant actually see them. Sometimes ive used the wrong entity (A good tip is look in the list of code after its compiled, it tells you if you have used a wrong entity, and which one to use). But what happens that annoyes me, I've got a room witha bunch of chairs... and its like they all have identicle properties - but one or two of them just dont show up. I think it has something to do with copying and pasting them - so I am going to fiddle about and let you know if i fix anything.

Solo.

Are you sure they have the exact same properties? Make sure all
of them have "start fade value" at -1 and "end fade value" at 0.

Well I've just solved all the invible errors on my map.

The main thing i had to do, was edit the visible field thing. The circle that u can edit while resizing props. its the StartFadeDistance or something like that. Find and select all props which have a little cirlce while selected - and check properties and change the 'minfadedistance' to 0. that basically gets rid of any of the circle shapes you see when selecting a prop! fantastic

As discussed, the other time a prop wont be visible will be when you are using the wrong entity. My advice is to look in the compiling code thingy (lol), and look for lines beggingin with 'Error -'. They will inform you of errors obviously, but will tell you what model, what type it should have, and that it has been deleted as the wrong type has been used.

I hope this helps some of you - will make me a lot happier making my map now i dont have to worry 'hmm, will this be an invisible table though?'

Solo.

lol reno, wrote my heroic little reply before reading what you said! sorry!

I think that a tut should be made explaining models it would save people alot of time.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting speedball.txt</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>materialPath: C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\renegatus\half-life 2 deathmatch\hl2mp\materials
Loading C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\renegatus\half-life 2 deathmatch\hl2mp\maps\Speedball.vmf
Detected multiplayer map, building linux dedicated server data
fixing up env_cubemap materials on brush sides...
0 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . . 5 . . . 6 . . . 7 . . . 8 . . . 9 . . . 10 **** leaked ****
Entity prop_static (-192.00 0.00 119.00) leaked!
Processing areas... done (0)
Building Faces... done (1)
FixTjuncs...
PruneNodes...
WriteBSP...
done (0)
Creating default cubemaps for env_cubemap using skybox sky_wasteland02...
Run buildcubemaps in the engine to get the correct cube maps.
Finding displacement neighbors...
Finding lightmap sample positions...
Displacement Alpha : 0 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . . 5 . . . 6 . . . 7 . . . 8 . . . 9 . . . 10
Building Physics collision data...
done (0) (560 bytes)
Building Physics collision data...
done (0) (560 bytes)
Static prop models/props_c17/fence01a.mdl outside the map (192.00, 0.00, 119.00)
Static prop models/props_c17/fence01a.mdl outside the map (-192.00, 0.00, 119.00)
Placing detail props : 0 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . . 5 . . . 6 . . . 7 . . . 8 . . . 9 . . . 10
Writing C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\renegatus\half-life 2 deathmatch\hl2mp\maps\Speedball.bsp
10 seconds elapsed</DIV></DIV>
That's the info from my latest compile - I think the bold, red bits show my problems?

Yeah..you have a leak in your map because of two Static prop models...cough cough

You'd think the fact you highlighted these things for us in your log would mean you already knew about them :rolleyes:

Actually...doesn't the compiler highlight them for you? At least it does with mine...perhaps it's just a Batch Compiler thing tho? I forget shrug

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting ReNo</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>You'd think the fact you highlighted these things for us in your log would mean you already knew about them :rolleyes: </DIV></DIV>
I didn't know what to do about them though! I'll play around and reply with an answer.

[Edit: tried a prop_detail but all I got ingame was a large flashing ERROR image. What now?! I think it's to do with leaks so I'll seal it all up, tight.]

um, well, prob easier said than done - but make sure that your "fence01a.mdl" is out of the map. like its going through a wall, which is causing the leak. check all the props with that material, and make sure they are safely within the walls and floors. Thats my guess.

Solo.

Hi all

Well, I'm new to mapping, so I can't really comment, but I'm having a similar prop problem in the very first room of my first map.

I inserted one of the closet props from the props_wasteland folder as a 'prop_static' entity and when I compiled the map I received an error to the effect of: "ERROR - use entity type prop_dynamic."

So, I changed the entity type of the closet to 'prop_dynamic' and recompiled the map. But the closet still doesn't show up. I've checked the min/max fade distance settings and they are set as stated above, but the object remains invisible.

Can anyone think of anything else that might be amiss?

Thanks,

Deux

Try a prop_physics, and are you sure you didn't fiddle with the helper circle?

---

Dark_Kilauea
DVS Administration
http://www.dvstudio-production.com/

Thanks for the suggestion Dark... I'll try it tonight when I get home and let you know if I get a result.

And to confirm, no I've definitely not dragged out the circle - although I can also confirm that it's very easy to do by mistake! :smile:

**Update**

Yep, you were right Dark, prop_physics was the right entity and the prop is working just fine in the map now.

Cheers!

**

Deux