Ok, so I am a complete newb at scripting. I can world build, and make things look pretty with whats available in the ck. I could prolly manage a small quest. What I do not know how to do is script. Thus my problem below...

I am making a mod that will have a valve (DwePipeValve01) It is an activator device. So when placed in game you can click it and it turns. Obviously this needs to be linked to an item. Is there a way to link it to something (in this case a waterfall) and have that object turn on or off without a script? If so, whats the best way. If not....

Also, does anyone have any good resources for trying to learn scripting (just some basics). I know its a huge learning curve and process (hence why it requires a college degree), but I would still like to start learning.

That's nonsense, you don't need a college degree to script. Yes it's a bit harder than world building, but anyone with a healthy brain and enough motivation can learn scripting.

Check out the Papyrus tutorials, start here:

http://www.creationkit.com/Bethesda_Tutorial_Papyrus_Hello_World

thanks for the link, i have already looked at that, and it does cover some basics but i was more hoping for some videos, i am a more visual person, hard for me to learn something so complex by just reading a webpage and trying to apply it.

I think you won't find many scripting video tutorials, especially because it's relatively complex it's easier to teach through text. You very often need to go back and look something up, and from a video you can't copy/paste examples.

Did you do the tutorial that comes after as well?

yeah, part of the problem for me i think will be finding enough content even though text form to really be able to grasp it. I am having trbl trying to get a new script even made, much less coded.

I was the same way after looking at the hello world tutorial. It is like any programming hello world tut....It doesn't say much. Even though you won't be using everything in all of the tutorials it is a good idea to follow it through start to finish. Start with the basic lvl design and I gaurantee you will pick up some really good info along the way. There is an order to do them as each one relies on knowledge from the previous one. It takes some time but it is well worth it.

There is also some videos listed under "Comunity Tutorials" but they are for paticular tasks mostly, like making a mannequin.

Yeah, ive watched all the tutorial videos (save the ones that have to do with like mesh importing and such). I understand the basic principle of how to make a new script and I am sure with enough searching I could manage to put one together (in fact i think I may have one already)

I just cant figure out HOW to make the PROPER script. IE: would my needed script be an objectreference? if so why cant i select the item I want as my property (in this case a waterfall that ive given a ref ID)? It is stuff like this that is what is so frustrating, there is no info on how to fix errors, or things you dont do right.

I'm kinda new myself but maybe I can help with the concept your looking at.

Yes you need an ObjectReference script. It will respond to events related to the object it is attached to. As apposed to an actor script that deals with events as related to an actor.

To set the property to another object just create a new property and be sure it is an ObjectReference Property. Once you do that click "Edit Value". You should see a button that will allow you to select the object in the render window. Double click the object and the property will be set. For instance if you name the property "MyWaterfall" you can then reference it in the script like:

	Event OnActivate(ObjectReference AkActionRef)	   MyWaterfall.Enable()	EndEvent

Hope it helps

thanks for the help I have been able to get the first half of the script working, which is to enable the waterfall, to turn it off using the same button/lever/etc again, what would the second half of the script need to look like?


well, it was working, now when i load my cell the valve im using as my activator isnt clickable lol... worked the first time i loaded it now it went poof. I double checked the script and nothing has changed...hmmmmm

Try this and see if it works: Notice there is a new Property defined. An Integer to determine if it is On(1) or Off(0). It will begin Off.

Int WaterOn = 0 AutoEvent OnActivate(ObjectReference AkActionRef)  If WaterOn = 0		  	 MyWaterfall.Enable()	 WaterOn = 1  ElseIf WaterOn = 1	 MyWaterFall.Disable()	 WaterOn = 0  EndIfEndEvent

Int WaterOn = 0 Auto

Is not a Property, but a plain variable. It's the right way to go though. Just saying, to avoid any confusion.

DOH!

Right there you are but Papryus lets you set it in the Properties screen so I just called it a property. It can also be declared and have a value set during the event can it not?

got an error when saving that script.

Without telling me the error you got I know what it is. Try the script below. I corrects my mistakes. It needs to be ==0 instead of =0. My bad. Also remove the "Auto" after the integer declaration.

Int WaterOn = 0Event OnActivate(ObjectReference AkActionRef)  If WaterOn == 0						 MyWaterfall.Enable()		 WaterOn = 1  ElseIf WaterOn == 1		 MyWaterFall.Disable()		 WaterOn = 0  EndIfEndEvent

Regular variables can't be set in the Properties screen. Variables are local and Properties are not, so it's pretty important for new scripters to understand the difference. That's why I said it, not to be a smart ass.

No I didn't take it as a smark ass remark and it also clarifies for me as well. Good thing you chimed in. Appreciated.

Kinda used to VB so I always type "If MyVariable = 0" instead of "If MyVariable == 0". I do it every single time

Did you declare the actual script?

Scriptname waterfallonoff extends ObjectReference conditional

Not sure if "conditional" will work but try it with and without.

Be sure that "waterfallonof" is whatever the name of the script as you saved it.

"Conditional" should only be used if you have any variables or auto properties as "conditional" as well. This is only used when you want to expose a variable to the Conditions system with the function GetVMScriptVariable.

FYI, if you want a non-auto Property to be conditional, you should simply mark the variable used to store the value of the Property as "conditional".

You're right.

I had forgotten that the script I am using that I gleaned that from has a bool property that's set to conditional.

I'm still learnin Pap too

So am I, my first few scripts just happened to be about the techniques discussed in this thread. I too have plenty to learn.

For a bool like that, try:

Bool bWaterOnEvent OnActivate(ObjectReference AkActionRef)	bWaterOn = !bWaterOn ; Set bool to whatever it is not	If bWaterOn		GetLinkedREF().Enable()	Else		GetLinkedREF().Disable()	EndIfEndEvent

If MyWaterfall is linked, you'll not need a property for it.

"bWaterOn = !bWaterOn"

I get that this is setting the variable to "NOT"bwateron (true or false)

But does Papyrus use more esoteric boolean stuff?

Like Xor, NAND etc?

Not that I'm aware of, at least not until SKSE. One of SKSE's new Math functions is LogicalXor()...

Thanks for all the replies! Much appreciated.

One thing I cant figure out is that I placed a Dwemer Valve early on in the process, but now its not clickable/no activator, and any new ones i place arent usable either! Dunno what happened?! (fyi the base dwemer valve script that controls the valve animation is still there and appears to be unchanged, i just cant use it/them)

anyone have any ideas on the valve problem? id like to be able to use them as levers dont really fit well with my setting. (script is currently working fine with a lever but still cant get valves to be clickable, which includes newly placed valves with no new scripts attached)