Unit won't render when model is special effect

[darwin]

I'm working on a custom spell. When the hero casts it, I generate about 10 units near the target point and each of those units casts a cluster rocket ability at the target point. Everything works fine with one exception:

the dummy unit that casts the cluster rocket ability won't render. I put as the unit-type's model the Impale special effect so it looks like dust being kicked up from the ground. This never shows up though.

I investigated. When I change the dummy unit from the Impale model to a unit model (like an Abomination), it renders fine. The Abom shows up, casts his ability, and then dies a few seconds later (the dummy unit has negative health regeneration). But when I change the model to a special effect of some kind, it just never appears and the rockets shoot out nothing.

I'm completely out of ideas. Does anyone know why a special effect wouldn't render? (Incidentally, if I manually place the unit in the editor, I can see it rendering while the editor is open).

 

[Marcos_M]

Personally, i always was able to use a SFX as model, even the ones with just one animation

How about you create a modelless unit and create the SFX in triggs?

 

[darwin]

Personally, i always was able to use a SFX as model, even the ones with just one animation

How about you create a modelless unit and create the SFX in triggs?

I've definitely used special effects as models before as well. I find this so baffling.

I think I can make the special effect manually, but I can't destroy it right away to prevent leaks. If I destroy the special effect it won't keep creating dust particles; so I'll have to wait and destroy it. That means making an array of special effects I suppose. I could do it if I have to I guess.

 

[Kaijyuu]

Simple trigger to destroy effects after a set amount of time:

• SE Cleanup
  • Events
  • Conditions
  • Actions
    • Custom script: local effect LocalEffect = bj_lastCreatedEffect
    • Wait 2.00 game-time seconds
    • Custom script: call DestroyEffect(LocalEffect)

Call with Trigger - Run Trigger (ignoring conditions). The wait action will not delay the main trigger.


With some jass you can make it a function instead, which would make it easier to wait different amounts of time (instead of having to make a separate trigger for different wait times).

 

[Dr Super Good]

Simple trigger to destroy effects after a set amount of time:

Too bad wait game time leaks a handle index due to the local declared local handle variable reference counter leak on return bug.

 

[Kaijyuu]

Probably not a big deal unless you're spamming special effects (possible, being special effects after all).

There's the other wait. Inaccurate, especially if there's lag, but a minor graphical glitch isn't a big deal either.

Timers and hashtables available for fancy magic that's accurate and no leaks.

 

[Dr Super Good]

There's the other wait. Inaccurate, especially if there's lag, but a minor graphical glitch isn't a big deal either.

You could also use a fixed version of the wait. One that nulls the local timer variable after destroying it before returning.

 

[ZiBitheWand3r3r]

Does anyone know why a special effect wouldn't render?

dummy unit's flying height negative ?

 

[Alethos]

I had this issue before. Many of the special effects models only have a birth and/or death animation and so they won't show up normally (unless you specify it in triggers: ie. play last created unit's birth animation).

As an alternative I suppose you can edit the model itself to rename or give it a stand animation, sfx models are generally low on file size.