I want to create a continuous fade in and out.
I'd like to have some function F(time) that returns values increasing from 0 to 255, then from 255 back down to -255, and repeats, as time progresses.
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1\$\begingroup\$ Rephrase your question, so we can make better answers. \$\endgroup\$– Gustavo MacielCommented Mar 20, 2012 at 5:09
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\$\begingroup\$ Rephrased the question. : ) \$\endgroup\$– 2600thCommented Mar 20, 2012 at 5:20
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1\$\begingroup\$ This isn't really related to game dev and has a certain lack of details. \$\endgroup\$– user14170Commented Mar 20, 2012 at 9:51
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3 Answers
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I know the question has been answered but just for old times sake here is the optimized classic way (works only with fixed steps but takes only 2 bytes ;-) )
//init:
unsigned char value=0;
unsigned char d=1;
//in loop:
value+=d;
if((value==0) || (value==255))
d=-d;
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\$\begingroup\$ I'm sorry if I'm completely missing something, but wouldn't d=-d; result in an unsigned underflow? I'd understand if d were a (signed) char. \$\endgroup\$– KoarlCommented Mar 21, 2012 at 10:57
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1\$\begingroup\$ Well, it would be simpler to read but no difference actually except the need for extra conversions... Adding the underflowed d (which for '-1' has a value of 255) will act as a -1 to the value 'value'. \$\endgroup\$– ValmondCommented Mar 21, 2012 at 12:59
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\$\begingroup\$ I see, of course value will also wrap around and end up one less than before if you just add 255. Thanks for the clarification! \$\endgroup\$– KoarlCommented Mar 21, 2012 at 13:02
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What you're looking for is a periodic function like Sine. Here's how you can use Sine to achieve what you're looking for:
Create a loop counter
Begin your fade loop
Increment your loop counter
fade_amount = 255 * sin(loop_counter)
It's as simple as that. Since sin(loop_counter) will cycle from -1.0 through 0 to 1.0 and back again, you just multiply it by the maximum value you want.
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\$\begingroup\$ What about loop_counter won't it overflow? \$\endgroup\$– 2600thCommented Mar 20, 2012 at 5:35
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4\$\begingroup\$ @Beast The sine function repeats every 2π radians or 360 degrees, so you could always add something like
while(loop_counter >= twoPi) loopCounter -= twoPiat the end to wrap it back and prevent an eventual overflow. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 20, 2012 at 5:46 -
3\$\begingroup\$ In addition to Davids comment: If you want your values to go through
-1and1exactly, then you get best results if you use fractions of π as yourloop_counter. Eg.loop_counter += PI * 0.1. The smaller the fraction, the slower the fade in-out. \$\endgroup\$– bummzackCommented Mar 20, 2012 at 7:48
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You can also use a tweening library to smoothly fade in and out such as cpptweener.
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1\$\begingroup\$ -1 for very poor quality C++. I would not recommend this library; it can't even get basic arithmetic correct. \$\endgroup\$– user744Commented Mar 20, 2012 at 14:15