I recently found Newton, but was unable (manual only tells you basics) to do some of the things. So I was wondering how to do the following:

Work out the pan and tilt of a Newton entity (does it change the pan?)

Add forces to Newton entities, eg to mov it with bullets by adding forces (since I'm not using templates)

Turn the limited collision of Newton entities with non-newton entities off.

I was wondering how you did the above three things, so could anyone tell me? Thanks in advance.

This is how I made ball movement. It was mostly taken from the example (although I had to work most of it out myself):

Code:

---

var force[3];
function movement_forces(body) 
{
	var bodyMass;
	bodyMass = NewtonGetBodyMass(body);
	NewtonBodyAddForce(body, 0, 0, bodyMass * (newtonGravity + force.z));
	NewtonBodyAddTorque(body, bodyMass * my.move_vec_x, bodyMass * my.move_vec_y, bodyMass * my.move_vec_z);
}
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Player Initialization
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
define move_vec_x, skill98;
define move_vec_y, skill99;
define move_vec_z, skill100;
action initialize_player
{
	player = my;

	var body;
	my.collision_sph_box = on; // sphere?
	my.mass = 10;
	my.linear_drag = 0.1;
	my.angular_drag_x = 0.1;
	my.angular_drag_y = 0.1;
	my.angular_drag_z = 0.1;
	my.start_active = on;
	my.shape_factor = 0.9; // density
	NewtonCreateGravityEntity(ivory_material);
	dll_handle = newtonHandle;

	body = NewtonGetBody(my);
	NewtonSetBodyAutoActiveState(body, 0);
	NewtonSetBodyActiveState(body, 1);
	// asign a special force event to the rover
	NewtonSetBodyForceAndTorque(body, movement_forces);

	while(1)
	{
		vec_set(my.move_vec_x, nullvector);
		vec_set(force, nullvector);
		my.move_vec_x = key_cur - key_cul;
		my.move_vec_y = key_cuu - key_cud;
		if(key_space)
		{
			force.z = 1000;
		}
		//vec_rotate(my.move_vec_x, vector(camera.pan, 0, 0));
		vec_normalize(my.move_vec_x, 100);
		wait(1);
	}
}

---

Thanks a lot. Unfortunately, I don't know enough to understand it.
eg:
Code:

---

 
NewtonBodyAddForce(body, 0, 0, bodyMass * (newtonGravity + force.z));
NewtonBodyAddTorque(body, bodyMass * my.move_vec_x, bodyMass * my.move_vec_y, bodyMass * my.move_vec_z);
 

---

I don't really know what the parameters between the brackets mean... if you could help me out by explaining to me the useful functions for newton I'd be greatful. Thanks.

Well, I don't know but here’s my guess:

This is meant to be the direction of gravity, the first argument is the object, and then the last three are the xyz vector stuff. You can add wind blowing it off a ledge with this.
Code:

---

NewtonBodyAddForce(body, 0, 0, bodyMass * (newtonGravity + force.z));

---

The same applies with this, but this is the movement of the object. It uses user-defined skill vectors, 'move_vec_x', 'move_vec_y' and 'move_vec_x' for the direction relitive to the object. Its maths is simple, BodyMass * move_vec, so it’s weight can effect its movement speed.
Code:

---

NewtonBodyAddTorque(body, bodyMass * my.move_vec_x, bodyMass * my.move_vec_y, bodyMass * my.move_vec_z);

---

This is just what I think it is, I may be wrong. But it appears to make sense. I hope that was of some help to you...?

Thanks, a lot, that got me started... I looked through the newton script and found that what I wanted was impulse... problem is, the script was too ambiguous to tell me how to use it, and I still need to turn off collision with non newton entities... anyone got info? thanks in advance

Turn of Newton collision for one object? Err... I'm not sure, but I will work on it.