A_Overlayex... A more simple version of A_Overlay

[DELTAtheDboi005]

Hey, so in my opinion A_Overlay is one of the more convoluted functions that the world of doom modding has to offer... Therefore I bring you this feature suggestion.

A_Overlayex Would be a significantly more easier to use version of A_Overlay, The syntax for it would probably go like this:

A_Overlayex(int layer, int x offset, int y offset, string state, flags)

The flags could be:

OEX_KEEPX (x parameter not used)
OEX_KEEPY (y parameter not used)
OEX_INTERPOLATE (makes the animation smooth)
OEX_TRUEOFFSETS (Uses the offsets used in the sprite instead of the x and y parameters)
OEX_FORCEOFFSETS (Forces the offsets for overlay, can be used in conjunction with OEX_TRUEOFFSETS)

This would be a pain to code, but if it ever sees the light of day it would theoretically make working with overlays significantly easier than what the standard A_Overlay function can do.

[kevansevans]

We've already got several separate functions that accomplish this, such as A_OverlayOffset that also takes similar flags as arguments. I don't think reducing two functions into one would solve any perceived difficulties with the overlay system.

[DELTAtheDboi005]

Maybe so, but it would be pretty handy to have a A_Overlay variant that condenses the other seperate functions into one...

[wildweasel]

But suppose you don't want to use all of them at once - we would run into HUDMessage-esque problems where we'd have to zero out or memorize the default values of the stuff that we don't want to change. Plus, you could always Anonymous Function your way through it:

Code: Select all

WOOP A 1
{
   A_Overlay(args...)
   A_OverlayScale(args...)
   A_OverlayOffset(args...)
}

And of course you can always change them independently as is needed without having to set the entire thing all over again.

[Graf Zahl]

I don't think it's good idea to make such a function.

[Matt]

Best to make a custom wrapper in ZScript for your specific needs. (I recently did this with A_SpawnParticle...)

[Major Cooke]

Yep. Just create your own wrapper function and call it a day.

Of course this would only be a concern if you don't run GZDoom on JIT since that can slow down performance, but at this point, is anyone?

[Graf Zahl]

If you have an ARM Mac the JIT won't be available.