How do you stop a script executing mid-function?

Archived Forums Questions & Answers
1

I have a trigger which uses OnTriggerEnter to start a function in another script. This function starts a countdown using iTween which looks like this:

function Countdown()
{
    iTween.ColorTo(gameObject, Color.red, 0.1);
    GetComponent(TextMesh).text = "3";
    iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 1, 0.5);
    yield WaitForSeconds(1);
    iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 0, 0.5);
    yield WaitForSeconds(1);
    GetComponent(TextMesh).text = "2";
    iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 1, 0.5);
    yield WaitForSeconds(1);
    iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 0, 0.5);
    yield WaitForSeconds(1);
    GetComponent(TextMesh).text = "1";
    iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 1, 0.5);
    yield WaitForSeconds(1);
    iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 0, 0.5);
    yield WaitForSeconds(1);
}

However, when I exit the trigger I want the countdown to stop and reset. So I have a reset function which resets the counter:

function ResetCount()
{
    iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 0, 0.1);
    GetComponent(TextMesh).text = "3";
}

Now the problem I have is that I need this ResetCount() to "interrupt" the countdown so that when I exit the trigger the countdown stops. However, currently the Countdown() function continues even after the trigger has been exited. I have tried the following in my exit trigger but to no ammends:

function OnTriggerExit(other : Collider)
{   
    GameObject.Find("Countdown").GetComponent(Countdown).enabled = false;
    GameObject.Find("Countdown").GetComponent(Countdown).enabled = true;
    iTween.ColorTo(gameObject, Color.black, 0.8);
}

Any ideas on how I can get the Countdown function to stop when the trigger is exited - even if it is in the middle of running?

That was just for the next trigger enter - however even when removing that line to make it true again the behaviour is the same. Thanks for the link. I'll take a look although I would like to figure this out too :D

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4 Answers

4
2

Maybe a daft question but have you tried ontrigger stay?or putting a boolean at the beginning of countdown which turns off when ontrigger exit is called. And this may also be a daft question but I cant understand why you're getting components in the ontrigger exit function? surely it would be in the same script and you could then easily disable it? eg

function OnTriggerEnter()
{
   Countdown();
}

function OnTriggerExit()
{
   ResetCount();
}

function Countdown ()
{
   if (CountdownHasBeenCalled == false)
   {
       //itween stuff
   }
}

function ResetCount()
{
   CountdownHasBeenCalled = true;
}

The problem is even if I do the above the iTween stuff gets called in its entirity since the if check is only called at the start of the code. The same happens if I use a boolean with the OnTriggerStay function. I have a decent workaround now which I'll post as an answer for people to re-use if they wish. It's a little messy but it get's the job done!

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Good for you. Yes please post it as an answer and mark it as correct, helps the community! :)

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3

I have a slightly messy workaround but saying that it does get the job done!

if (counting == true)
{
iTween.ColorTo(gameObject, Color.red, 0.1);
GetComponent(TextMesh).text = "3";
iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 1, 0.5);
yield WaitForSeconds(1);
iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 0, 0.5);
}
if (counting == true)
{
yield WaitForSeconds(1);
GetComponent(TextMesh).text = "2";
iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 1, 0.5);
yield WaitForSeconds(1);
iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 0, 0.5);
}
if (counting == true)
{
yield WaitForSeconds(1);
GetComponent(TextMesh).text = "1";
iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 1, 0.5);
yield WaitForSeconds(1);
iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 0, 0.5);
yield WaitForSeconds(1);
}

The variable "counting" is set to true in the TriggerEnter and false in the TriggerExit (I could use the TriggerStay but this also works). So basically I:

  1. Set the number
  2. Fade it in
  3. Fade it out
  4. Check if we are still counting
  5. If we are then do the same for the next number - if not then we break out of the code (I also reset the counter in the trigger exit)
4 
function OnTriggerEnter() {
    StartCoroutine("Countdown");
}

function OnTriggerExit() {
    StopCoroutine("Countdown");
    // Alternatively: 
    // StopAllCoroutines();
    ResetCount();
}
5 
function Countdown()
{

var countDown : int = 3;
iTween.ColorTo(gameObject, Color.red, 0.1);

while (countDown>=0)
{
GetComponent(TextMesh).text = countDown;
iTween.FadeTo(gameObject, 1, 0.5);
yield WaitForSeconds(1);
countDown--;
}
}