Timers, Timers, TIMERS!

[Sastraxi]

I really hate the built-in VB timers. I'm doing some games in VB, and the timers really don't work that well. Even if I put in 20, it acts the same as if I had put in 50! (in the INTERVAL). So, does anybody know where I could get a high-resolution timer (one that reads EVERY second?)

[Sastraxi]

While we're still on the topic of timers, I need to ask:

If I were to use this code, would it work for every 10 milliseconds?
(I am using this because of DDraw):

Sub BLAHBLAHBLAH()
Dim D as Integer
Dim OldD as Integer
Dim Started as Boolean
...
...
Do
   If Started = True then   
      OldD = D
      D = GetTickCount()
      Do While D < (OldD + 1)
         D = D + 10
         If D > OldD Then
            Exit Loop
         Else
            MoveAllUnits
         End If
      Loop
   Else
      Started = True
      D = GetTickCount()
   End If

   BlitScreen
   
Loop

That would make up for any movement loss due to bad FPS, right? (I mean call to the MoveAllUnits subroutine). It would fire every 10 milliseconds, wouldn't it?

[djbobby]

The timer would seem to act the same if u just put in 20 or 50 cos thats in miliseconds so you probably wouldnt notice the difference.

If u want a delay of a second just type in a 1000!

Timer controls are only accurate to about plus/minus 6ms (assuming no other processing is going on.

You think VB is a good chioce for writing games?

[parksie]

sastraxi, I've just emailed you a hi res timer...see what you think of it.

[SteveCRM]

Hey parksie, can you send that thing over here to? I want a look at it. Thanks

Use GetTickCount for accuracy up to 1ms. Make a Form with 2 CommandButtons (cmdStart and cmdStop) and put the following code into your Form.

Private Declare Function GetTickCount Lib "kernel32" () As Long
Dim ContTime As Boolean

Sub TimerEx(Interval As Long)

    Do While ContTime = True
        Start = GetTickCount
        
        Do While GetTickCount < Start + Interval
            DoEvents
        Loop
        
        '<--Place code here-->
        Print "Hello"
    Loop
    
End Sub

Private Sub cmdStart_Click()
    ContTime = True
    TimerEx (1000)
End Sub

Private Sub cmdStop_Click()
    ContTime = False
End Sub

[Sastraxi]

Thanks, Parksie! The timer would be great...if I could use it. Thanks anyway, though! Actually, I might use it in other programs, but not in this one.

Does anybody know if that Do....Loop code I inserted as a reply works? Because that may be what I'm using for my RTS. Actually, I think I need to make a few changes to the code:

Sub BLAHBLAHBLAH()
Dim D As Integer
Dim OldD As Integer
Dim Started As Boolean
Dim UseD As Integer
...
...
Do
   If Started = True then   
      OldD = D
      D = GetTickCount()
      UseD = OldD
      If D + 10 < UseD + 1 Then
        Do While D < (OldD + 1)
            D = D + 10
            If D > OldD Then
               Exit Loop
            Else
               MoveAllUnits
            End If
         Loop
         UseD = OldD
      Else
         UseD = UseD - (D - OldD)
      End If
   Else
      Started = True
      D = GetTickCount()
   End If

   BlitScreen
   
Loop
End Sub

[Sastraxi]

Oh, and to answer WOSSNAME's post, Yes. I do think VB is powerful. And if you don't think it's powerful enough to do 3D, think about this.... I got a VB Runtime error in Unreal Tournament, so THAT is a good game made in VB!

[V(ery) Basic]

I believe that there was a VB runtime error and all that, but I'm pretty sure that they would have made it in C++ and maybe added a VB DLL or something.

(PS: Great example that the thing made in VB had a runtime error )

[Pentax]

What happens if the timer event doesn't have time to finish before the interval is over?
Is the timer unabled untill it's free, or will it stack up events and do them after the timer is unabled?
Pentax

[Tomexx]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the timing function Megatron. Works great (in the cmdStart_Click it should read (1000) not (100 0)). However, can you explain what happens here:

-----------------------------------------
Start = GetTickCount

Do While GetTickCount < Start + Interval
DoEvents
Loop
-----------------------------------------

I'm a beginner and I don't get this code.
As always.....

Thanks

[Sastraxi]

To Pentax: If you were talking to me, about the timer thing:

I don't think mine will work, because I forgot a DoEvents(duh!)!

Anyway, I'd like to know more about that Unreal Tournament thing. I'll try and recreate the error.

[parksie]

Tomexx - ? "1000 not 1000" ?

This is a known problem here, where numbers get split up...you probably noticed it with your post which now makes no sense .

You could also use the SSubTimer from http://www.vbaccelerator.com

[michelle]

Hello Sastraxi,

I do understand you are hating built in timers.
Try this:

Copy this code into the declarations section of the project.

Declare Sub Sleep Lib "kernel32" (ByVal dwMilliseconds As Long)

Use

To delay the program for 1 second, use this code:

Call Sleep(1000)

Good luck,

Michelle.

[Sastraxi]

Not on the topic, or anything, but how many posts to become a Lively Member?

[parksie]

Well, Pentax is a lively member on 102 posts...

[Sastraxi]

It's not on the topic, but I just got my 79th post (this one) and now am a lively memeber!!!

[crispin]

http://www.mvps.org/ccrp/controls/ccrpcontrols.htm

loads of cool replacement controls - check it out, they're free too

Tomexx:

'Start is setting an "Start time" for us
Start = GetTickCount 

'This loop pauses execution until the given amount of seconds pass by. (Start + Interval is the amount of milliseconds to pause)
Do While GetTickCount < Start + Interval 
'DoEvents lets the OS do othr tasks so our App does not freeze
DoEvents 
Loop

Sastraxi, it's 64 posts for a Lively Member. See this page for a list of all the titles.