C++ Collision Detection doesn't work on last check? - c++

Question

Over the last few days I have been trying to implement simple collision detection of objects drawn using OpenGL.
With the aid of the Pearson, Computer Graphics with OpenGL I have managed to write the following function:
void move(){
if(check_collision(sprite,platform1) || check_collision(sprite,platform2)){ //if colliding...
if (downKeyPressed ){ y_Vel += speed; downKeyPressed = false;} //going down
else if(upKeyPressed ){ y_Vel -= speed; upKeyPressed = false;} //going up
else if(rightKeyPressed){ x_Vel -= speed; rightKeyPressed = false;} //going right
else if(leftKeyPressed ){ x_Vel += speed; leftKeyPressed = false;} //going left
} // always glitches on whatever is last else if above?!?!
else{ glTranslatef(sprite.x+x_Vel, sprite.y+y_Vel, 0.0); }
}
My sprite moves in accordance to keyboard inputs (the arrow keys). If it collides with a stationary object it stops moving and stays in its position.
So far, it works when colliding with the top, left side and bottom of the stationary object. Unfortunately (even though I use the same logic) the right hand side doesn't work and upon a collision the sprite is redrawn at its original x/y coordinates. I'm baffled.
As it turns out, which-ever is the last check in the move() function (the last else-if) is the one that doesn't work... I have swapped the left with the right and sure enough when left is then the last one and the one that plays up :(
Any advice or ideas on how I can improve this and stop it glitching?
Please excuse my naivety and amateur coding. I'm merely a self-taught beginning. Thanks.

Answer 1

You should not use an else if. There is a possibility that it is hitting a side and the top or the bottom in the same frame. Trying changing those to all ifs because you want to check each one. or at the least change it to this.
if( /* check top */)
{
}
else if( /* check bot */)
{
}
if( /* check right */ )
{
}
else if( /* check left */)
{
}
Also, you should avoid declaring global variables like Y_VEL and X_VEL as this creates confusion. You may just be doing this to get your feet wet but I would avoid it. Create a class for each object and then have the velocities as members of that class.

Answer 2

Well, it seems to me that you have an issue when it comes to translating the actual object.
Your move code states
if(there is a collision)
{
//do stuff
}
else
{
glTranslateF( );
}
SO, whenever there is a collision, the translate function never gets called.
My opinion is that you should pull the glTranslateF() call out of the else {...}, just have it get called every time. However, it seems you're using the exact same 'draw' function for every rectangle, not just the player sprite. You'll probably have to ind a way to distinguish between regular rectangles (such as the platforms) and the player rectangle. Perhaps the simplest way for you to implement this, would be to have two different drawSprite functions: one for regular platforms, and the other for the player. Only call the move() function from within the player's draw function (perhaps called drawPlayer()?)
I don't quite have the time to look over all of your code to make a more educated and specific suggestion at the moment; however, I'll be free later this evening if this question is still open and needing help.

Answer 3

As you've already figured out, the problem is related to glTranslate(). Since you operate on both sprite's position and velocity, you should repeatedly update the positions using the velocities. That is:
sprite.x += x_vel;
sprite.y += y_vel;
and do it simply all the time (i.e. by some timer or every frame, if the scne is redrawn repeatedly). A collision then is equivalent to changing the velocity vector (x_vel, y_vel) in some way to simulate the collision effect: either zero it to stop any movement at all, or change the velocity component sign (x_vel = -x_vel) to make it rebound in an absolutely elastic manner, or do something else that fits.
What happens now with glTranslate() is that x_vel, y_vel actually hold offsets from the starting position, but not velocities of movement.