Virtual Worlds – Final Report

Date: 25th April 2014

Group Number: 15

Group Members:• Eoin O' Sullivan (13133063)• Kamil Pantlinowski (13137255)• Andrew Ware (13139568)• Mark White (13148427)

Project Title: Vending Machine

Project Aim: Create an interactible vending machine, that has a number of items (mineral cans) available for purchase.

Initial Plan: When we first set out to work on this project we had a number of ideas in mind regarding the vending machine, how it would function and what items it would have. The plan was to have a 3x3 grid, thus have 3 rows and 3 columns with an item in each slot. Each slot would be numbered and a 9-button keypad on the right of the machine would allow the user to make thier selection. Once selected a script within the button would send a message to a stopping block (located at the front of each slot to stop items falling out) and a pushing block (located at the back and would push items forwards).

Kamil and Andrew created a protype model of a vending machine and some drinks cans. Meanwhile Eoin and Mark created some basic scripts for the buttons and the blocks inside the machine. This went well, the model looked good and the scripts seemed to function. We began to have some difficulty with OpenSim's physics. When we tried pushing an item out from the tray/shelf, depending on where force was applied, eg the top/bottom/middle of the can, a number of things happened. If the pushing block applied force on the top of the can, the can would simly go underneath the block and vice versa when force was applied on the bottom. When we tried applying force on the middle of the can, or if we used a block the size of the can, it would simply get stuck, glitch out or react violently inside the machine. We tried tilting the trays but the items wouldn't stand most of the time.

From here we decided we would instead rez the desired object inside the machine instead of trying to physically push the object. We also chose to replace the 9-digit key pad with a selection of 7 buttons with textures for each different product which looks much better and is easier for the user to see and make a decision. The scritps inside the machine were altered to accomodate the change.

Functionality:1. The user pushes one of the 7 buttons on the right side vending machine.

2. A custom script is contained inside each button. Once the button is pushed the script sends a link message in the form of a string to a control script in the front panel of the machine. The button also moves back for a short period. (Please note the below scripts are only short sections of the actual scripts, the proper ones contain more detail)

3. The control script recieves the message and based on the string it will decide which item to dispense. A series of if's and else if's are used to check the contents of the string.

4. The item is rezzed inside the machine, and falls down onto a small ramp where it will fall into the collection area.

5. Each item contains a script within it. When the user clicks on the object the script will place a copy of the can into the user's inventory after which it will delete the can in the world.

Work Division:

• Andrew – Worked mainly with the modelling of the vending machine and cans. Helped with some of the scripting.• Kamil – Also worked in creating the vending machine and cans, along with some of the texturing.• Eoin – Focused on the creation of the scripts within the vending machine, buttons and cans.• Mark – Also focused on creating the scripts for the buttons, vending machine and cans

The work was divided fairly evenly amongst the team. There was a large degree of crossover with everyone helping others with problems they had with their particular area.

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