How to make a project move Sin like?

08-09-2009, 09:50 PM	#1
Flame_Phoenix	Hi guys, I am making another sample for my newest system CMS and I want to demonstrate how a user can easily create his/her own movement method for the projectile. For this case I want to make a fire bolt move in a Sin like pattern. I tried studying Anitarf's submission on a spell contest but my map gives a fatal error and dies ... Can anyone please help me with this movement formula?

08-09-2009, 11:33 PM	#2
chobibo	Wait, I'm still testing if my formula works. EDIT: nope it doesn't lol.

08-09-2009, 11:48 PM

Zerzax

I'll tell you everything, lemme just edit the post:

Okay, so you want to move a projectile in the pattern of a sin wave. The first object is to move linearly between your start and end point (or in the direction of the end point). The easiest way I know of that works with the sin wave is using polar projections. This way, once you've reached a certain point on this line, you can then add or subtract 90 from the projected angle and then project by your distance. If you look at a sin graph, it will show you that the height of the wave is equal to the amplitude of the wave times the sine of the angle. This angle at any time can be determined by dividing your accumulated distance along the line by the wavelength of the wave, then multiplying this value as a factor by 2pi or 360. Once you have the distance, you just add that times the sin / cos of your angle + 90.

Here is a formula :

JASS:

set linearx = currentx + dist * cos(theta)
set lineary = currenty + dist * sin(theta)

set sinx = linearx + sin((current_distance / wavelength) * 2*bj_PI) * amplitude * cos(theta + bj_PI/2)
set siny = lineary + sin((current_distance / wavelength) * 2*bj_PI) * amplitude * sin(theta + bj_PI/2)

08-10-2009, 09:58 AM

Flame_Phoenix

Zerzax, about your formula:

JASS:

set linearx = currentx + dist * cos(theta)

dist = total distance that needs to be done? Or speed of the projectile?

The amplitude is is Radians right?

EDIT EDIT EDIT

Ok, I used your formula, the result is better (the map doesn't crash any longer) but the movement is at least ... disturbing ...
Here is the code of the method:

JASS:

//this demonstrates how you can make your own move method!
        method costumMoveMissile takes nothing returns nothing
            local real x = GetUnitX(.currentTarget)-.missile.x
            local real y = GetUnitY(.currentTarget)-.missile.y
            local real distance = SquareRoot(x*x + y*y)
            local real angle1 = Atan2(y, x)
            
            local real linearX = .missile.x + .speed * Cos(angle1)
            local real linearY = .missile.y + .speed * Sin(angle1)
            local real sinX = linearX + Sin((.missileCurrentDist / .targetDistance) * 2*bj_PI) * 25 * Cos(angle1 + bj_PI/2)
            local real sinY = linearY + Sin((.missileCurrentDist / .targetDistance) * 2*bj_PI) * 25 * Sin(angle1 + bj_PI/2)
            
            set .missileCurrentDist = .missileCurrentDist + distance
            
            set .missile.xyangle = angle1
            set .missile.x = sinX
            set .missile.y = sinY 
        endmethod

If you need to know more, here is the code of the spell:

JASS:

scope CrazyFire initializer Init
//===========================================================================
//=============================SETUP START===================================
//===========================================================================
    globals
        private constant integer AID = 'A001'
        private constant string FXPATH = "Abilities\\Weapons\\FireBallMissile\\FireBallMissile.mdl" //the path of the missile model
        private constant string EXP_PATH = "Abilities\\Spells\\Demon\\DemonBoltImpact\\DemonBoltImpact.mdl" //path of the explosion
        private constant attacktype ATTACK_TYPE = ATTACK_TYPE_MAGIC //the attack type the fire will cause
        private constant damagetype DAMAGE_TYPE = DAMAGE_TYPE_UNIVERSAL     //the damage type the fire will do
    endglobals
    
    private constant function Range takes integer level returns real
    //the range of the missile. The missile will look for new targets inside this range only
        return 600.
    endfunction
    
    private constant function Damage takes integer level returns real
    //the damage the missile will cause to the victims 
        return 50.*level
    endfunction
    
     private constant function JumpNumber takes integer level returns integer
    //the number of times the fire will jump
        return 12
    endfunction
    
    private constant function GrenadeHeight takes integer level returns real
        return 600.
    endfunction
    
    private function Targets takes unit caster, unit target returns boolean
    //the targets the fire will affect
        return (GetWidgetLife(target) > .405) and IsUnitEnemy(target, GetOwningPlayer(caster)) and IsUnitType(target, UNIT_TYPE_GROUND)
    endfunction
//===========================================================================
//=============================SETUP END=====================================
//===========================================================================
    globals 
        private unit tmpCaster
        private boolexpr chooseTargets
        private group targets
    endglobals
//===========================================================================    
    private function PickTargets takes nothing returns boolean
        return Targets(tmpCaster, GetFilterUnit())
    endfunction
//===========================================================================  
    private struct CrazyFire extends ChainMissile
        unit caster
        integer level
        unit currentTarget
        real missileCurrentDist
        real targetDistance
        
        //this demonstrates how you can make your own move method!
        method costumMoveMissile takes nothing returns nothing
            local real x = GetUnitX(.currentTarget)-.missile.x
            local real y = GetUnitY(.currentTarget)-.missile.y
            local real distance = SquareRoot(x*x + y*y)
            local real angle1 = Atan2(y, x)
            
            local real linearX = .missile.x + .speed * Cos(angle1)
            local real linearY = .missile.y + .speed * Sin(angle1)
            local real sinX = linearX + Sin((.missileCurrentDist / .targetDistance) * 2*bj_PI) * 25 * Cos(angle1 + bj_PI/2)
            local real sinY = linearY + Sin((.missileCurrentDist / .targetDistance) * 2*bj_PI) * 25 * Sin(angle1 + bj_PI/2)
            
            set .missileCurrentDist = .missileCurrentDist + distance
            
            set .missile.xyangle = angle1
            set .missile.x = sinX
            set .missile.y = sinY 
        endmethod
        
        method searchTarget takes unit currentTarget returns unit
            local unit f = null
            local unit ret = null
            
            //the position of the current target
            local real cX = GetUnitX(currentTarget)
            local real cY = GetUnitY(currentTarget)
            
            //the position of our new target
            local real nX
            local real nY
            
            //by saving the minimal distance, this will help us choose
            //the closest new target to our current target
            //note we start it with the biggest value possible, so
            //we can find the minimum after
            //Also note that I am calculating minDist^2 so I can avoid
            //the use of a squareroot which will save speed. Know that if
            //minDist <, >, <=, >= d then minDis^2 <, >, <=, >= d^2 and vice-versa
            local real minDist = Range(.level)*Range(.level)
            
            local real d //this will be a temporary variable for the distances we will calculate
            
            //here we pick all units near the current target
            set tmpCaster = .caster
            call GroupEnumUnitsInRange(targets, cX, cY, Range(.level), chooseTargets)
            
            loop
                set f = FirstOfGroup(targets)
                exitwhen(f == null)
                call GroupRemoveUnit(targets, f)
                
                if (IsUnitInGroup(f, .pickedUnits) == false) then
                    set nX = GetUnitX(f)
                    set nY = GetUnitY(f)
                    
                    //now we calculate the distance between f and our current target
                    //note that: d^2 = (x2-x1)^2 + (y2-y1)^2
                    //I avoid using a square to make this faster
                    set d = (nX - cX)*(nX - cX) + (nY - cY)*(nY - cY)
                    
                    //if this new distance is the smallest, then we update our target
                    if (d < minDist) then
                        set minDist = d
                        set ret = f
                    endif
                endif
            endloop
            
            //we need to know our current target in order to move the missile towards him!
            set .currentTarget = ret
            
            //here we clear the picked units group, so we can hit our first target again!
            //NOTE: we will only hit the 1st unit again ONLY if that unit is the closest one!
            call GroupClear(.pickedUnits) 
            
            return ret
        endmethod
        
        method onTarget takes unit target returns nothing
            //this is what we are going to do to the target!
            //we will blow him up!
            call UnitDamageTarget(.caster, target, Damage(.level), true, false, ATTACK_TYPE, DAMAGE_TYPE, null)
            
            //the BOOOM effect
            call DestroyEffect(AddSpecialEffect(EXP_PATH, GetUnitX(target), GetUnitY(target)))
        endmethod
        
//        static method create takes unit aCaster, unit aTarget returns CrazyFire
        static method create takes unit aCaster, unit aTarget, real angle returns thistype
            local CrazyFire this = CrazyFire.allocate(FXPATH, aCaster, aTarget, JumpNumber(GetUnitAbilityLevel(aCaster, AID)), true)
            
            local real x = GetUnitX(aTarget)- GetUnitX(aCaster)
            local real y = GetUnitY(aTarget)- GetUnitY(aCaster)
            local real distance = SquareRoot(x*x + y*y)
            //in this case I don't set any variables, so I will use the default values
            
            //and now we set the other stuff
            set .caster = aCaster
            set .level = GetUnitAbilityLevel(.caster, AID)
            set .currentTarget = aTarget
            set .missileCurrentDist = 0.
            set .targetDistance = distance
            
            //we need to know our current target in order to move the missile towards him!
            return this
        endmethod
    endstruct
//===========================================================================    
    private function Conditions takes nothing returns boolean
        local unit caster
        local unit target
        
        if GetSpellAbilityId() == AID then
            set caster = GetTriggerUnit()
            set target = GetSpellTargetUnit()
            call CrazyFire.create(caster, target, Atan2(GetUnitY(target) - GetUnitY(caster), GetUnitX(target) - GetUnitX(caster)))
        endif
        
        set caster = null
        set target = null
        
        return false
    endfunction
//===========================================================================
    private function Init takes nothing returns nothing
        local trigger CrazyFireTrg = CreateTrigger(  )
        call TriggerRegisterAnyUnitEventBJ(CrazyFireTrg, EVENT_PLAYER_UNIT_SPELL_EFFECT )
        call TriggerAddCondition(CrazyFireTrg, Condition(function Conditions))
        
        //setting our globals
        set targets = CreateGroup()
        set chooseTargets = Condition(function PickTargets)
        
        //Preloading our effects
        call Preload(EXP_PATH)
    endfunction
endscope

Can some one please tell me what I am doing wrong ?

08-10-2009, 12:58 PM

Tot

can you post a screenshot when it's moving

Quote:

disturbing

?

cause I had a similiar problem in the first version of my contest spell

08-10-2009, 03:26 PM

Mr_Saturn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flame_Phoenix

Can some one please tell me what I am doing wrong?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zerzax

The first object is to move linearly between your start and end point (or in the direction of the end point).... This way, once you've reached a certain point on this line, you can then add or subtract 90 from the projected angle and then project by your distance.

Also,

JASS:

set .missileCurrentDist = .missileCurrentDist + distance

wtf

08-10-2009, 03:31 PM	#7
Vexorian	The mystery here is, if you want it to know like Sin function, how about you use Sin ?

08-10-2009, 07:19 PM

Flame_Phoenix

Saturn:
1 - So first I need set missile.x = linearX and then missile.x = sinX?
2 - I don't get it, why is it wrong? That is the current distance between the target and the missile ...Mmmm, I will think about it

Quote:

The mystery here is, if you want it to know like Sin function, how about you use Sin ?

Wermmm, I am using Sin ...

08-10-2009, 07:26 PM

Pyrogasm

...and you're retarded.

JASS:

set data.dist = data.dist+data.inc
set data.x = data.startx + data.dist*data.cos
set data.y = data.starty + data.dist*data.sin

set data.sindist = Sin(data.dist/data.period)*data.amp

set data.x = data.x + data.sindist*data.vertcos
set data.y = data.y + data.sindist*data.vertsin

.period affects the wavelength of the sine waves, and .amp affects the height; store all the static Cos() and Sin() computations before you start and you'll save a lot of function calls.

You could even condense it further:

JASS:

set data.dist = data.dist+data.inc
set data.sindist = Sin(data.dist/data.period)*data.amp
set data.x = data.startx + data.dist*data.cos + data.sindist*data.vertcos
set data.y = data.starty + data.dist*data.sin + data.sindist*data.vertsin

08-10-2009, 09:17 PM

#10

Flame_Phoenix

Hi Pyro, I want you to meet my friend Mr.Nice:

Quote:

Flame_Phoenix(FP): Hi there Mr.Nice, what's up?
Mr.Nice(MN): hey there flame, today I am here to talk about Pyro... did you read his last comment?
FP: ya ... not much nice ..
MN: the topic I will teach him is "Good manners" or "how to talk to people nicely"
FP: I think that is exaggerating... he is nice, he is just really pissed at me because I never can understand the Sin formulas and many people already tried to help me
MN: people are different, therefore they have different problems and understand different things with different levels of difficulty. That is not a reason to act like a moron or like an idiot.
FP: True, but he can't understand that ...
MN: Obviously he doesn't understand and by his comments he doesn't want to understand... everyone in wc3c knows that you have problems with maths ... see that Plane spell ? or that new system CMSomething?
FP: ... the Vjass Bomber ... I bugged Anitarf so much I believe he got tired of me for all eternity ... poor guy ... and it is Chain Missile System not something ... ya I know where you are getting, chobibo did all the 3d maths, I only did the 2d and then they were crap in the end ...
MN: If not by chobo I bet you wouldn't make CMS ...
FP: It is chobibo chobo means "noob" is sc2 language ... and yes, you are probably right ...
MN: and now with 2D3S formulas ...
FP: I am getting those ... I just have problems with the xefx module, Anitarf seems to have ideas but he makes very few posts for me to understand them...
MN: anyway back to business, that Pyro guy had lots of chances to understand you have problems with maths ... if doesn't see that then he sure is blind or something...
FP: ... my guess is that he doesn't care ...
MN: Well, he should care, because he is being a bastard by insulting you with your own problems. I would like to see his face if you could make fun of one of his personal problems ... I would like to see how he would feel...
FP: People at wc3c aren't good with feelings, they simply ignore them ... see Girffen, per example, could you talk to him?
MN: Hey hey hey, what do I look like? Mr.Jesus ? I don't think so. Everyone knows that guy is lost, I am not wasting my time with him neither would Jesus not madre Theresa nor Gandhi nor whatever, they would just probably kick his ass and so would I.
FP: Jesus ... that's not very nice ...
MN: Hey, it's just a nickname OK? I said I am not Jesus ffs ...
FP: Anyway, you think you can talk to Pyro?
MN: I am sure that if he is reading this then he already got the main idea ... if not, then he is as lost as Griffen.
FP: will you come back?
MN: Dunno ... I wonder if I should talk to Tot or to someone else ... maybe I will see you again ...
FP: Hope not ... I only post your quotes when people behave badly to me, I hope this doesn't become a habit ...
MN: Makes 2 ... now if you excuse, it's time for Hitler's lesson ...
FP: lol !?
MN: Saddam is here too ...
FP: WTF !?
MN: you would be amazed with the number of jerks this world has ...
FP: seems so ... cya
MN: cya..

Anyway, thx for the post ...

I think I got it ...

JASS:

//this demonstrates how you can make your own move method!
        method costumMoveMissile takes nothing returns nothing
            local real x = GetUnitX(.currentTarget)-.missile.x
            local real y = GetUnitY(.currentTarget)-.missile.y
            local real distance = SquareRoot(x*x + y*y)
            local real angle1 = Atan2(y, x)
            
            local real linearX = .missile.x + .speed * Cos(angle1)
            local real linearY = .missile.y + .speed * Sin(angle1)
            local real sinX = linearX + Sin((.missileCurrentDist / .targetDistance) * 2*bj_PI) * .amplitude * Cos(angle1 + bj_PI/2)
            local real sinY = linearY + Sin((.missileCurrentDist / .targetDistance) * 2*bj_PI) * .amplitude * Sin(angle1 + bj_PI/2)
            
            set .missileCurrentDist = .missileCurrentDist + .speed
            
            set .missile.xyangle = angle1
            set .missile.x = sinX
            set .missile.y = sinY 
        endmethod

Spell:

JASS:

scope CrazyFire initializer Init
//===========================================================================
//=============================SETUP START===================================
//===========================================================================
    globals
        private constant integer AID = 'A001'
        private constant string FXPATH = "Abilities\\Weapons\\FireBallMissile\\FireBallMissile.mdl" //the path of the missile model
        private constant string EXP_PATH = "Abilities\\Spells\\Demon\\DemonBoltImpact\\DemonBoltImpact.mdl" //path of the explosion
        private constant attacktype ATTACK_TYPE = ATTACK_TYPE_MAGIC //the attack type the fire will cause
        private constant damagetype DAMAGE_TYPE = DAMAGE_TYPE_UNIVERSAL     //the damage type the fire will do
    endglobals
    
    private constant function Range takes integer level returns real
    //the range of the missile. The missile will look for new targets inside this range only
        return 600.
    endfunction
    
    private constant function Damage takes integer level returns real
    //the damage the missile will cause to the victims 
        return 50.*level
    endfunction
    
     private constant function JumpNumber takes integer level returns integer
    //the number of times the fire will jump
        return 12
    endfunction
    
    private constant function GrenadeHeight takes integer level returns real
        return 600.
    endfunction
    
    private function Targets takes unit caster, unit target returns boolean
    //the targets the fire will affect
        return (GetWidgetLife(target) > .405) and IsUnitEnemy(target, GetOwningPlayer(caster)) and IsUnitType(target, UNIT_TYPE_GROUND)
    endfunction
//===========================================================================
//=============================SETUP END=====================================
//===========================================================================
    globals 
        private unit tmpCaster
        private boolexpr chooseTargets
        private group targets
    endglobals
//===========================================================================    
    private function PickTargets takes nothing returns boolean
        return Targets(tmpCaster, GetFilterUnit())
    endfunction
//===========================================================================  
    private struct CrazyFire extends ChainMissile
        unit caster
        integer level
        unit currentTarget
        real missileCurrentDist
        real targetDistance
        real amplitude 
        
        //this demonstrates how you can make your own move method!
        method costumMoveMissile takes nothing returns nothing
            local real x = GetUnitX(.currentTarget)-.missile.x
            local real y = GetUnitY(.currentTarget)-.missile.y
            local real distance = SquareRoot(x*x + y*y)
            local real angle1 = Atan2(y, x)
            
            local real linearX = .missile.x + .speed * Cos(angle1)
            local real linearY = .missile.y + .speed * Sin(angle1)
            local real sinX = linearX + Sin((.missileCurrentDist / .targetDistance) * 2*bj_PI) * .amplitude * Cos(angle1 + bj_PI/2)
            local real sinY = linearY + Sin((.missileCurrentDist / .targetDistance) * 2*bj_PI) * .amplitude * Sin(angle1 + bj_PI/2)
            
            set .missileCurrentDist = .missileCurrentDist + .speed
            
            set .missile.xyangle = angle1
            set .missile.x = sinX
            set .missile.y = sinY 
        endmethod
        
        method searchTarget takes unit currentTarget returns unit
            local unit f = null
            local unit ret = null
            
            //the position of the current target
            local real cX = GetUnitX(currentTarget)
            local real cY = GetUnitY(currentTarget)
            
            //the position of our new target
            local real nX
            local real nY
            
            //by saving the minimal distance, this will help us choose
            //the closest new target to our current target
            //note we start it with the biggest value possible, so
            //we can find the minimum after
            //Also note that I am calculating minDist^2 so I can avoid
            //the use of a squareroot which will save speed. Know that if
            //minDist <, >, <=, >= d then minDis^2 <, >, <=, >= d^2 and vice-versa
            local real minDist = Range(.level)*Range(.level)
            
            local real d //this will be a temporary variable for the distances we will calculate
            
            //here we pick all units near the current target
            set tmpCaster = .caster
            call GroupEnumUnitsInRange(targets, cX, cY, Range(.level), chooseTargets)
            
            loop
                set f = FirstOfGroup(targets)
                exitwhen(f == null)
                call GroupRemoveUnit(targets, f)
                
                if (IsUnitInGroup(f, .pickedUnits) == false) then
                    set nX = GetUnitX(f)
                    set nY = GetUnitY(f)
                    
                    //now we calculate the distance between f and our current target
                    //note that: d^2 = (x2-x1)^2 + (y2-y1)^2
                    //I avoid using a square to make this faster
                    set d = (nX - cX)*(nX - cX) + (nY - cY)*(nY - cY)
                    
                    //if this new distance is the smallest, then we update our target
                    if (d < minDist) then
                        set minDist = d
                        set ret = f
                    endif
                endif
            endloop
            
            //we need to know our current target in order to move the missile towards him!
            set .currentTarget = ret
            set .targetDistance = d
            
            //here we clear the picked units group, so we can hit our first target again!
            //NOTE: we will only hit the 1st unit again ONLY if that unit is the closest one!
            call GroupClear(.pickedUnits) 
            
            return ret
        endmethod
        
        method onTarget takes unit target returns nothing
            //this is what we are going to do to the target!
            //we will blow him up!
            call UnitDamageTarget(.caster, target, Damage(.level), true, false, ATTACK_TYPE, DAMAGE_TYPE, null)
            
            //the BOOOM effect
            call DestroyEffect(AddSpecialEffect(EXP_PATH, GetUnitX(target), GetUnitY(target)))
        endmethod
        
//        static method create takes unit aCaster, unit aTarget returns CrazyFire
        static method create takes unit aCaster, unit aTarget, real angle returns thistype
            local CrazyFire this = CrazyFire.allocate(FXPATH, aCaster, aTarget, JumpNumber(GetUnitAbilityLevel(aCaster, AID)), true)
            
            local real x = GetUnitX(aTarget)- GetUnitX(aCaster)
            local real y = GetUnitY(aTarget)- GetUnitY(aCaster)
            local real distance = SquareRoot(x*x + y*y)
            //in this case I don't set any variables, so I will use the default values
            
            //and now we set the other stuff
            set .caster = aCaster
            set .level = GetUnitAbilityLevel(.caster, AID)
            set .currentTarget = aTarget
            set .missileCurrentDist = 0.
            set .targetDistance = distance
            set .amplitude = 7 //amplitude of Sin wave
            
            //we need to know our current target in order to move the missile towards him!
            return this
        endmethod
    endstruct
//===========================================================================    
    private function Conditions takes nothing returns boolean
        local unit caster
        local unit target
        
        if GetSpellAbilityId() == AID then
            set caster = GetTriggerUnit()
            set target = GetSpellTargetUnit()
            call CrazyFire.create(caster, target, Atan2(GetUnitY(target) - GetUnitY(caster), GetUnitX(target) - GetUnitX(caster)))
        endif
        
        set caster = null
        set target = null
        
        return false
    endfunction
//===========================================================================
    private function Init takes nothing returns nothing
        local trigger CrazyFireTrg = CreateTrigger(  )
        call TriggerRegisterAnyUnitEventBJ(CrazyFireTrg, EVENT_PLAYER_UNIT_SPELL_EFFECT )
        call TriggerAddCondition(CrazyFireTrg, Condition(function Conditions))
        
        //setting our globals
        set targets = CreateGroup()
        set chooseTargets = Condition(function PickTargets)
        
        //Preloading our effects
        call Preload(EXP_PATH)
    endfunction
endscope

I can also post testmap is you are curious =D

08-10-2009, 09:35 PM	#11
Zerzax	Instead of targetDistance I would use the wave period. Sorry I didn't post further, I've been in class all day. EDIT: I guess the distance you divide by depends on the frequency or period of the wave. Pyro's code block looks fine.

08-10-2009, 11:25 PM	#12
chobibo	I'm chobo, the sc2 noob lol.

08-11-2009, 08:32 AM

#13

Flame_Phoenix

Quote:

EDIT: I guess the distance you divide by depends on the frequency or period of the wave. Pyro's code block looks fi

I see... I guess I will now try Pyros's formula. I just don't get what vertcos and vertsin are ...
and I believe the theta I should use us the original angle between targets ? I think so.
I will give a try today.

Quote:

I'm chobo, the sc2 noob lol.

Quote:

It is chobibo

08-11-2009, 12:24 PM

#14

Pyrogasm

Sine and Cosine of the vertical angle...

Really, if you understood what it was you were doing you'd understand why the code is what it is and what exactly each part does.

The easiest way to do this is with a double-projection approach where you project the position of the object once first along a line towards the target point, and then use the value of the Sin() function to tell you a vertical distance away from that line.

08-11-2009, 12:52 PM

#15

Rising_Dusk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flame_Phoenix

Hi Pyro, I want you to meet my friend Mr.Nice:

I'm going to give you a hard lesson in life. You're like a puppy; we don't kick the puppy because it is a puppy, but we still feel obliged to yell at the puppy when it forgets how to breathe.

Your problem is not that you don't understand. No, that is the least of your problems. Your problem, Phoenix, is that you are virtually immune to education. One can spend entire threads explaining something to you and yet you can retain conviction that their explanation is somehow wrong or incorrect or flawed. There are examples all over the forums, so I refuse to spend time finding them.

WC3C has a reputation of being the best at helping people; however, that reputation comes at a price. First, you must be able to help yourself. If you cannot help yourself, then God only knows what you expect us to do for you. This question that you ask has been solved thousands of times over the course of WC3C's existence in so many ways that even you can find one that makes sense to you. That this thread exists and that it still hasn't sunk in how to do it are examples of your willingness to waste our time and your lack of desire to learn anything on your own, but rather only learn by having it spoon-fed to you.

And that is the last I'm going to hear of your Mr. Nice crap. If what I just said doesn't make sense to you, angers you, saddens you, or you just don't care about it, then tough luck. Don't act persecuted, because the only one at fault for how you are treated is yourself.