Fundamental Scripting Guide
Author - Dragofer
This is a (work in progress) resource written primarily for mappers with no background in scripting or coding, though also more experienced scripters may find practical guidance in adapting to TDM's scripting system. This is the large majority of what I've picked up over the years through experimentation, looking at existing scripts and interacting with other forum members.
My aim is for the tutorial to be both comprehensive and down to earth, using many examples and avoiding unnecessary technical terms. There will be some overlap with existing wiki articles, since this aims to have everything in one place out of one hand.
The concept will be to start with teaching some basic script literacy, then introduce scripting principles one after another. Towards the end, practical examples
Contents
Anatomy of a script
Basic terms
Script functions
Rudimentary script: message to console
Basic script: simple cutscene
*More scripting basics
General
TDM Script Reference
Troubleshooting (i.e. closeup texture after mistake)
Setting up script files
Map scripts
General scripts
*How to call scripts
From other scripts
Target_callscriptfunction
Triggers
Stim/response
Frob_action_script
Objective system
Variables
Data types
Creating new variables
Example usage: puzzle with max 3 attempts
Scripts with input variables
Example useage: multiple func_movers and buttons, movement in various directions
"Get"ting information from the map
Getting spawnargs
Example usage: checking current health of an AI for an objective
Conditionals
Comparisons
Checking true or false
Multiple conditions
Chains of conditions
Looping/repeating scripts
Looping with thread
Looping with while()
Repeating with for()
Repeating with do + while()
*Scriptobjects
Applications
Setup
Entity defs
*Special methods
Going through all targets of an entity
Sounds
Trigger_touch
AI variables
Spline movers
*Practical examples
