two questions:

one, i want to c_trace to where the camera is facing, angles and everything, how would I code this?

c_trace((camera.x,camera.pan,camera.tilt),vector(forward?),IGNORE_ME | IGNORE_PASSABLE)??


two, I've been using a panel as crosshairs for a sniper whenever I zoom, it's been working fine but recently i added a model with the mtl_mirrorWater material attached and now the crosshair panel doesn't show up when i zoom. any ideas?
in order: water action, panel statement, panel action coding


action water()
{
my.material = mtl_mirrorWater;
}


BMAP* scope_jpg = "scopeshell.bmp";

PANEL* scope =
{
pos_x = 0;
pos_y = 0;
layer = 1;
bmap = scope_jpg;
flags = SHOW | OVERLAY | LIGHT | TRANSLUCENT;
}


if(zoom == 40)
{
scope.alpha = 100;
}
else
{
scope.alpha = 0;
}

well you set it transparent anytime the zoom is not precisely equal to 40, this is assuming "zoom" is the camera zoom.

it is, and i set the zoom to exactly 40 when the sniper is zoomed in. anyway, the point is the code for the zoom panel works perfectly unless there is any model with the "water" action attached. which makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever...

So I have narrowed my panel problem down to the OVERLAY flag. If it is set then the panel becomes invisible when a model has the realtime water reflection material attached. But I need it set so the entire window isn't used up by a single panel. Any ideas why this is happening? Otherwise, any ideas how to have parts of the panel invisible without using the OVERLAY flag?

Use a Bitmap with alphacannel, so you don`t need the OVERLAY flag.

good suggestion but I ended up figuring out the problem with the panel anyway. thanks though!

But as far as the c_trace problem goes I still have no idea how to trace directly in front of the camera, factoring in the angle of the camera. Does anyone have any ideas?

perfect! thanks a ton!