set coordinates outside stge random

[iluvAS]

im making a defender game and i want it in a way that when i create the enemy its coordinates is set at random OUTSIDE the stage not within the players sight. How do i go about doing this?

[Xeptic]

Use negative values? Or values larger than the stage's boundaries?

[iluvAS]

erm kay larger values liek if my stage width is 1000 and height 600

enemy[i].x=-50+Math.random()*1100
enemy[i].y=-50+Math.random()*700

//50 pixel tolerance each side

this will get the chance of it appearing ofscreen but theres also chance it appears within the stage.... so like... how do i spawn it out of screen??!

[Xeptic]

Ah like so... Hmm, you could randomize the values: So when (for example) Math.random is smaller than 0.5 you pick a negative x value, when it is higher you pick a positive x value. And you do the same for the y. But I'm sure there are smarter ways to do this.

[Yambanshee]

enemy[i].x=-50+Math.random()*1100
enemy[i].y=-50+Math.random()*700

//50 pixel tolerance each side

really? think about it. Lets only work on the x axis and you will soon see your mistake.
Math.random forms a number between 0 and 1. there for Math.random*1100 means it lowest number is 0, and highest 1100, and unless your stage width is a negative value, it will apear on screen. how about this (assuming your stage is 1000 pix wide)

(Math.random*1000)+1000

will spawn a x position between 1000 (on your stage tip) and 2000 (far from stage tip)

[iluvAS]

well okay i get ur point there but using that code i will only get xcoordinates on the right of the screen..
and im trying to make the enemies come from all corners and sides so im really confused on doing that. the only possible solution i think is... (Width 1000, Height 600)

do{
enemy[i].x=(Math.random()*1100)-50
enemy[i].y=(Math.random()*700)-50
while((enemy[i].x>0&&enemy[i].x<1000)||(enemy[i].y>0&&enemy[i].y<600));

//but i think this might cause some lagg issues with alot of mobs =(

[Yambanshee]

if(Math.random>.5){
_x = -_width
} else {
_x = 1000+_width
}
if(Math.random>.5){
_y = -_height
} else {
_y = 800+height
}

[iluvAS]

o_O im not quite sure how that works... the width is the stages width or the mobs width? im using AS3 btw... i tried ur code but refrenced the width and height as the mobs width and height and i kept on getting it spawned off screen but on the corners and never appeared on the edges.... thankz for the help though

[UnknownFury]

There's probably a better way than this, but this is certainly better than your do.. while loop:

Math.random()*-50 + (stage.stageWidth+50)*Math.round(Math.random())

[Yambanshee]

At 9/27/09 03:31 AM, iluvAS wrote: im using AS3 btw...

umm, try this?

if(Math.random>.5){
MC.x = -MC.width
} else {
MC.x = 1000+MC.width
}
if(Math.random>.5){
MC.y = -MC.height
} else {
MC.y = 800+MC.height
}

[iluvAS]

thankz aot for the help but i think me method was most effective

enemy.x=(Math.random()*1100)-50
enemy.y=(Math.random()*700)-50
while(enemy.x>-15&&enemy.x<1015&&enemy.y>-15&&enemy.y<615){
	enemy.x=(Math.random()*1100)-50
	enemy.y=(Math.random()*700)-50
}//set Position

i checked out another defender tutorial and it did somewhat the same thing.
http://www.internaldrive.com/2009/02/25/
video-tutorial-creating-a-defender-flash -game/

thankz though

[Yambanshee]

whatever works for u