Is there a way to spawn something with random width?

Dasavur

I am trying to spawn a block that will have a random width between 20-45. I have attempted to do this both through the spawner and the block itself by using a timer and change attribute (it will be on screen for about 5 seconds and it spawns a second one before the first one has disappeared). I would like every time that the block spawns for the width to be randomized but I can't seem to figure out how to do it. (Think flappy bird but with obstacles that change in width).

BBEnk

use the change attribute behavior in the actor thats being spawned like so change attribute self.size width to Random(20,45) and it will do this once spawned.

jamie_c

As the first behavior of your spawned actor, use:

Change Attribute: self.Size.Width to random(20,45)

tatiang

New users of GameSalad often struggle with how to get something to change without using a Rule to do so. When an actor first loads on a scene, it starts running through its rule list from top to bottom. If the first item in the rule list is a rule, it will begin to evaluate it. If the first item in the rule list is a behavior, it will immediately execute it.

So the advice above is correct as far as adding a Change Attribute behavior. Just make sure it's not inside of a rule. The change will occur instantly so you shouldn't even notice it happening; it will just look like it was always that (new) width.

Dasavur

@tatiang said:
New users of GameSalad often struggle with how to get something to change without using a Rule to do so. When an actor first loads on a scene, it starts running through its rule list from top to bottom. If the first item in the rule list is a rule, it will begin to evaluate it. If the first item in the rule list is a behavior, it will immediately execute it.

So the advice above is correct as far as adding a Change Attribute behavior. Just make sure it's not inside of a rule. The change will occur instantly so you shouldn't even notice it happening; it will just look like it was always that (new) width.

So I followed these instructions and put the "Change Attribute: self.size.width to random(20,45)" as the very first thing of the actor that I am wanting to spawn but now it doesn't spawn at all. When I remove the change attribute it starts spawning again though. What am I doing wrong that is making it not spawn the actor if it has the random width connected to it?

I connected a picture of the rules for the actor I want to spawn.

Well here it is. imgur.com/s1MME0q

jamie_c

Did you type in "random(20,45)" by hand or use the expression editor to create it?

You should use the expression editor.

Dasavur

@jamie_c said:
Did you type in "random(20,45)" by hand or use the expression editor to create it?

You should use the expression editor.

That was why, I was typing it by hand. Thank you very much. I've literally been trying to figure this out for a couple of hours. I will make sure to always use the expression editor from now on!

jamie_c

Glad you got it!