Help with BTS Vactubes
Alright, I've been hacking away at this for a while now and it just won't work.
I'm trying to create a relatively simple vactube system to add a bit of interest to my map, but there's problems:
At first I tried using trigger_pushes and entity_makers, templates, and so on, but that didn't really work and was very clunky and uncomfortable to create.
Then I tried using a more preferable method, using a track and func_tracktrains, with a prop_dynamic override parented to the tracktrain. A timer would tell a point_template to spawn the tracktrain+model at random intervals. I chose this method after seeing that it was used in a decompiled Wibi!Data map.
Both times, nothing would happen. The first method, nothing even spawned, the second, I have a feeling hundreds of cubes got stuck in each other at the spawn point because it got really laggy if I went near. There was also one floating outside the map.
I realize this is probably a pretty simple thing and there's an equally simple solution, but I'm stumped. Any help, or even documentation on how you personally create vactubes, is much appreciated. I can upload the .vmf if need be.
For tuberides do not parent the physical cube to the vac - you should be using a dynamic model to go through the pipes and then spawn the real cube once it reaches its' destination.
OnPass -> cubespawner -> ForceSpawn
You'd also want to tell the path_track at the end to also OnPass -> !activator -) Kill to delete that track and model once it gets to the end. Do you also have the timer trigger it to StartForward? You might want to check the flags "Preserve entity names" in the template.
[spoiler]- BEE2 Addons | (BEE2)
- Hammer Addons
Maps:
- Crushed Gel
- Gel is Not Always Helpful[/spoiler]
For testing it, before you are completely sure on what you are going to do in your map, I would create a new map and test your vactubes in an area that you can see each step easily, rather than letting errors build up before you have the chance to take a good look at it, or worse, having what you are testing behind a wall so you can't see what works and what doesn't.
I have an instance, that does all of the spawning of random cubes for you, and sends them to a path track. Its very possible Doug used it in Wibi. At the end of the path you have to add some logic to kill the cubes, super easy stuff.
If I remember I'll upload the instance
Oh god... 
I can't believe I've done this. It works now, though I've made mistakes on the angles, etc. so it isn't going the right way.
Gee, this has got to be one of the stupidest mistakes in my mapping career.
Either way, thanks for the suggestions guys. Ben, that instance is probably worth posting anyway, might help others out down the track.
The second method (path_tracks, tracktrains and such) is easier to set up in Hammer, although it has the downside that the movement is unrealistically smooth, it looks like the cube is just sailing through the air without wobbling or anything at all.
The second method (path_tracks, tracktrains and such) is easier to set up in Hammer, although it has the downside that the movement is unrealistically smooth, it looks like the cube is just sailing through the air without wobbling or anything at all.
How about a Point_Push with -200 Magnitude, parented to the train. And the cube spawns when then push spawns. I tryed that months ago, worked, but in near of the tube should be another objects 
But the cube wobbles ^^
Alright, so I'm faced with another problem - I think this relates to what ChickenMobile said. The first cube goes through fine, as does the second, but every subsequent cube goes flying out of the map. I have a strong feeling that I've butchered the logic of it, though I don't really know where. I don't suppose someone could take a look and help me sort it out?
.vmf attatched