float layers

ID:2129786
 
Aug 10 2016, 9:43 am
(See the best response by FKI.)


Problem description: Can anyone explain exactly how float layers work?

Aug 10 2016, 10:33 am
Best response
Aug 10 2016, 12:16 pm
thats good insight thank you! somes a touch confusing but i believe i understand it thanks
Aug 10 2016, 9:57 pm
In response to William1of89
To offer some contrast, let's say I did this:

obj
    item_appearance
        // By default, all /obj/item_appearance objects will
        // appear one layer above the default MOB_LAYER (which is 4)
        layer = MOB_LAYER + 1
        
        shirt
            icon = 'a_shirt.dmi'

mob
    verb/change_layer(l as num)
        layer = l

    verb/dress_up()
        overlays += /obj/item_appearance/shirt
    
    verb/dress_down()
        overlays -= /obj/item_appearance/shirt


In this example, the shirt object would appear above you by default. But if you were to use the change_layer() verb and input a number greater than MOB_LAYER (which is 4, remember?), then the shirt would appear below you. Your layer changes but the shirt remains appearing above the MOB_LAYER. FLOAT_LAYER remedies this.

Take this instead:

obj
    item_appearance
        // By default, all /obj/item_appearance objects will
        // "snap" to the player's layer.
        layer = FLOAT_LAYER
        
        shirt
            icon = 'a_shirt.dmi'
            layer = FLOAT_LAYER + 1


With this, the shirt would always appear above you, as it should.
Aug 10 2016, 10:07 pm
In response to FKI
"Float layers" is a behavior unique to all negative layers. FLOAT_LAYER is a constant defined as -1. Adding 1 to FLOAT_LAYER will result in a non-floating layer.

Lower float layers are still drawn below higher float layers, i.e. -1 is above -2, which is above -5, etc.