Godot's built-in Timer node is a powerful tool for creating timed events in your games. This guide will walk you through starting, stopping, and resetting timers, providing clear examples and best practices. Whether you're building a simple countdown or complex game mechanics, understanding timers is crucial.
Understanding the Timer Node
The Timer node in Godot is incredibly straightforward. It has a single, crucial property: wait_time. This property dictates the length of time (in seconds) the timer will wait before emitting its timeout signal. Once the wait_time has elapsed, the timeout signal is emitted, triggering any connected functions.
Starting the Timer
Starting the timer is simple. You have two main ways to activate it:
start(): This method begins the countdown. The timer will count down fromwait_timeto zero, emitting thetimeoutsignal upon completion.
# In your script, assuming you have a Timer node named "Timer":
$Timer.start()
- Autostart: You can also enable the timer to automatically start when the scene enters the active state. Simply check the "Autostart" checkbox in the Timer node's Inspector panel in the Godot editor.
Stopping the Timer
To halt the timer before it reaches zero, use the stop() method:
$Timer.stop()
This prevents the timeout signal from being emitted. The timer's internal counter will be paused at its current value. You can restart it later using start() from where it left off.
Resetting the Timer
Resetting the timer brings it back to its initial state, ready to begin a new countdown. The stop() method is implicitly called before the wait_time is reset. Use the following code to reset your timer:
$Timer.stop()
$Timer.wait_time = 2 #Set your desired wait time here
This ensures the timer is stopped before setting a new wait_time value. Starting the timer again with start() will initiate a fresh countdown based on the updated wait_time.
Important Note: You must stop the timer before resetting the wait_time property. Otherwise, changing wait_time while the timer is running will lead to unexpected behavior.
Connecting Signals: Reacting to the Timeout
The real power of the Timer node lies in its timeout signal. Connect this signal to a function in your script to execute code when the timer finishes:
func _ready():
$Timer.wait_time = 5 # Set wait time to 5 seconds
$Timer.connect("timeout", self, "_on_Timer_timeout")
func _on_Timer_timeout():
print("Timer finished!")
# Add your code to execute when the timer times out here.
# For example, change a scene, trigger an animation, etc.
This code connects the timeout signal of the Timer node to the _on_Timer_timeout function. When the timer finishes its countdown, this function will execute, printing "Timer finished!" to the console. Replace this with your desired game logic.
Advanced Timer Usage: One-Shot vs. Auto-Repeat
By default, a Godot Timer is a one-shot timer meaning it emits the timeout signal only once after its wait_time. However, you can make the timer repeat by checking the "One Shot" checkbox in the Inspector. When "One Shot" is unchecked, the timer repeatedly emits the timeout signal every wait_time seconds until explicitly stopped with stop().
Conclusion
Godot's Timer node offers a simple yet versatile solution for implementing timed events in your games. By understanding how to start, stop, and reset timers and by effectively connecting to its timeout signal, you can create dynamic and engaging gameplay. Remember to always stop the timer before resetting its wait_time to prevent unexpected results. Now go forth and create amazing timed experiences in your Godot projects!
