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Best way to make these tree iterations? Arrays? tags? nested etc
Hi there, i am learning nested functions in javascript and Unity3d.
I am stuck on this task: rotate a root object 3 times, add 10 cubes in a line to the root object, mark the 10th cube as a new root object, rotate the new root object 3 times, add 30 cubes to the new root object same as before.
I am very stuck on this task: how to i mark the 3 new cubes at the end of each branch as a sub root, seeing as they wont have existed before the rotate function was made in the first place? do i tag them and find them at the end of the first run of lines? Should i make an array with "newroot [1,2,3]" where do i place the nested elements of the function?
here is the code for the 3 branches.: #pragma strict
@script RequireComponent(AudioSource)
var cubePrefab : GameObject ;//set cube for model
var startObj : GameObject ;
startObj = gameObject ;//set root object of function
private var rot : Quaternion; //set empty rotation var
rot.eulerAngles = Vector3(0, 0, 0);
function Start()//running this triggers all sub functions
{
Rotate (startObj,rot);
}
function Rotate (ting:GameObject,trot:Quaternion)//rotate the root object 3 times
{
for (var x = 0; x < 3; x++)
{
trot.eulerAngles = Vector3(0,120,0);
ting.transform.rotation = ting.transform.rotation * trot;//take base point and add TROT degrees every loop
Lines( ting, 1.0 , 10.0);//add 10 cubes in a line to the root object
}
}
function Lines( iter:GameObject, ratio:float , depth:float)//add line of cubes
{
var cube = Instantiate(cubePrefab,Vector3(0, 0, 0),rot);
var turn = Vector3(0, 4, 3);
rot.eulerAngles = turn;
cube.transform.position = iter.transform.TransformPoint(Vector3(1, 0, 0));//places new cube on top of last one's relative position
cube.transform.localScale = Vector3(2,2,2);
cube.transform.localScale *= ratio;
//cube.transform.localScale *=.90;//sets size of old cube to new one
cube.transform.rotation = iter.transform.rotation * rot;
//print (iter.transform.rotation);
if(depth > 0)
{
Lines( cube, ratio *.98 , depth -1 );
}
}
Answer by Owen-Reynolds · Oct 01, 2012 at 02:47 PM
If this is an exercise given to you, it's probably about recursion. If you look, your Lines function is calling itself again, with `depth-1`. So, it's really using "tail recursion" (a useless form used only to give students practice) to loop 10 times.
There's usually about an hour explanation of the "basis step(s)" and how the "induction step" has multiple variables where each call is closer to being finished, and a tree-like picture of the call stack. The concept takes a long time to be comfortable with, and many successful programmers never learn it.
For your problem, think about the Rotate loop. Right at the end, you can say "if this branch isn't long enough, run Rotate three more times. Use the end of the line you just made as the new root, rotated sideways and 0, 120 and 240." It might help to know this is pretty much fractals (because everyone knows fractals are hard.)
Thanks Owen! I was convinced that recursion meant that i could program a loop within a loop and magically use the right words so it would call back on itself in the intended form. So i have to at least do an overall routine, prior to figuring out how it would work in an ad infinitum loop. i am just learning from home, and so you pointed me towards reading some course material, i didnt realise all the types of recursion existed. thanks!!!
in 2 $$anonymous$$utes of reading your answer it was rolling.
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