Develop Reference

Why will my animation not work if I declare my variable locally?

I'm quite new to JS so please excuse my ignorance but I can't figure out why my animation if statement doesn't work if I declare my speed variable locally in the move() function.
If I don't declare the speed variable globally, the girl gets to the windowWidth and gets stuck moving a couple of pixels back and forth. Basically staying there rather than moving the other way.
let speed = 2;
class Girl {
constructor(x, y) {
this.x = x,
this.y = y
}
body() {
noStroke();
fill(239, 101, 233);
rect(this.x, this.y, 20, 40);
fill(249, 192, 155);
triangle(this.x, this.y, this.x + 20, this.y, this.x + 10, this.y + 15);
}
move() {
if (this.x > windowWidth + 50 || this.x < -50) {
speed = speed * -1;
}
this.x = this.x + speed;
}
}
I should mention I'm using the p5 library in case I'm using any funky functions. It works but I'm sure I could tidy this up a little bit. Any advice would be more than welcome.
Thanks in advance!

You should not declare it as a local variable inside the move method (as that would make it get re-initialised to 2 on every call), but you should make it a property of the instance that gets initialised in the constructor and modified in the move method (just like x and y).
class Girl {
constructor(x, y) {
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
this.speed = 2;
}
body() {
noStroke();
fill(239, 101, 233);
rect(this.x, this.y, 20, 40);
fill(249, 192, 155);
triangle(this.x, this.y, this.x + 20, this.y, this.x + 10, this.y + 15);
}
move() {
if (this.x > windowWidth + 50 || this.x < -50) {
this.speed = this.speed * -1;
}
this.x = this.x + this.speed;
}
}

Because the value of speed is shared across multiple calls to move. If you declare it inside move then it gets created for each call to move, thus any previous value of speed will be ignored.
If you don't want speed to be a global variable, then you can make it a property of the class Girl:
class Girl {
constructor(x, y) {
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
this.speed = 2; // make 'speed' a property of the class
}
/* ... */
// use 'this.speed' inside 'move' instead of just 'speed'
move() {
if (this.x > windowWidth + 50 || this.x < -50) {
this.speed = this.speed * -1;
}
this.x = this.x + this.speed;
}
}

Problem here is this.x > windowWidth + 50 || this.x < -50. Try to log this inside move() function and you will see that it is referring to move().x instead of Girl.x. So this.x is undefined and undefined > 10 + 50 is always false.
P.s. I dont know p5 so this is vanilla.
So to fix this you need to declare another variable to get Girl scope.
var Girl = function(){
var self = this;
//code goes here
function move(){
self.x = setValue;
console.log(this.x) //undefined
}
}

Not setting variable to rectangle in canvas

I am trying to get the rectangle to move when you click a button by adding 1 to the x/y pos of the rectangle but the speed variable keeps saying undefined.
// . . . //
function component(width, height, color, x, y) {
this.width = width;
this.height = height;
this.speedX = 0;
this.speedY = 0;
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
this.update = function(){
ctx = gameArea.context;
ctx.fillStyle = color;
ctx.fillRect(this.x, this.y, this.width, this.height);
}
this.newPos = function(){
this.x += this.speedX;
this.y += this.speedY;
}
}
function updateGameArea(){// Update games at 50fps
gameArea.clear();
bluePiece.newPos();
bluePiece.update();
}
function moveUp(piece){
piece.speedY -= 1;
console.log("UP "+piece+" S:"+piece.speedY);
}
function moveDown(piece){
piece.speedY += 1;
console.log("DOWN "+piece+" S:"+piece.speedY);
}
function moveLeft(piece){
piece.speedX -= 1;
console.log("LEFT "+piece+" S:"+piece.speedX);
}
function moveRight(piece){
piece.speedY += 1;
console.log("RIGHT "+piece+" S:"+piece.speedX);
}
Note: If you would like to see the full code to better understand what is going on, please go here and press ctrl+U to view full code.

you are passing a string to the function and after that accessing the property of String, which definitely will be undefined.
Try console.log(typeof piece);

Image does not translate when keys are pressed

Want to move an image across the screen. At the moment the image renders but does not translate the page when the specific keys are pressed. Can't see to get it to work - any suggestions?? I included the entire block of code as I believe it makes more sense.
var player;
var img;
function preload() {
img = loadImage("charcter.png");
}
function setup() {
background(255, 0, 0, 0.4);
createCanvas(1000, 600);
player = new Astro(0,0);
}
function draw() {
// clear();
player.show();
player.update();
}
function keyPressed() {
if (keyCode === UP_ARROW) {
player.dir(0, -10);
} else if (keyCode === DOWN_ARROW) {
player.dir(0, 10);
} else if (keyCode === RIGHT_ARROW) {
player.dir(10, 0);
} else if (keyCode === LEFT_ARROW) {
player.dir(-10, 0);
}
}
function Astro(x, y) {
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
this.xSpeed = 0;
this.ySpeed = 0;
this.img = img;
this.show = function() {
image(img, this.x, this.y);
};
this.update = function() {
this.x += this.xSpeed;
this.y += this.ySpeed;
if (this.x > width || this.x < 0) {
this.xSpeed = this.xSpeed * -1;
}
if (this.y > height || this.y < 0) {
this.ySpeed = this.ySpeed * -1;
}
};
this.dir = function(x, y) {
this.xspeed = x;
this.yspeed = y;
}
}

You need to take a step back and debug your program. For example, are you sure the keyPressed() function is firing? Are you sure the if statements are working the way you expected? Are you sure the player.dir() function is being called?
Use console.log() statements, or use the JavaScript debugger, to answer all of the above. Figure out exactly which line of code is behaving differently from what you expected, and then isolate that problem in a MCVE. (For example, don't include image loading code if the problem is not directly related to loading images. Use a basic rectangle instead.) Good luck.

Why isnt collision detection working? (p5 js frame work)

I created a collision detection between Snake and BasicEnemy. I created a for loop to make five different enemies but the collision detection doesn't get called on any of the enemies that were created from the for loop. The collision only works with the one BasicEnemy object. Why isn't collision function being called for all of the enemies inside the array? Thank you.
Sketch.js
var snake;
var food;
var basicEnemy;
var scl = 20;
var enemies = [];
function setup() {
createCanvas(600, 500);
snake = new Snake();
basicEnemy = new BasicEnemy();
//** CREATE FIVE ENEMIES **
for (var i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
enemies[i] = new BasicEnemy();
}
}
// **FUNCTION WHEN SNAKE HITS ENEMY**
function collision() {
console.log("hit!");
}
function draw() {
background(51);
//Draw snake
snake.update();
snake.show();
//Draw basicEnemy
basicEnemy.update();
basicEnemy.show();
//** LOOP THROUGH ENEMIES AND UPDATE AND SHOW **
for (var i = 0; i < enemies.length; i++) {
enemies[i].show();
enemies[i].update();
if (enemies[i].hits(snake)) {
collision();
}
}
}
function keyPressed() {
if (keyCode === UP_ARROW){
snake.dir(0, -1);
} else if (keyCode === DOWN_ARROW) {
snake.dir(0, 1);
} else if (keyCode === LEFT_ARROW) {
snake.dir(-1 , 0);
} else if (keyCode === RIGHT_ARROW) {
snake.dir(1 , 0);
}
}
BasicEnemy.js
function BasicEnemy() {
this.x = random(700);
this.y = random(700);
this.velX = 15;
this.velY = 15;
}
//** FUNCTION TO CHECK IF ENEMY AND SNAKE ARE IN THE SAME LOCATION **
this.hits = function (pos) {
var = d = dist(this.x, this.y, pos.x, pos.y);
if(d < 1) {
return true;
} else {
return false;
}
}
this.show = function () {
fill(255, 0, 100);
rect(this.x, this.y, scl, scl);
}
Snake.js
function Snake() {
this.x = 0;
this.y = 0;
this.xspeed = 1;
this.yspeed = 0;
this.update = function() {
this.x = this.x + this.xspeed * scl;
this.y = this.y + this.yspeed * scl;
this.x = constrain(this.x, 0, width - scl);
this.y = constrain(this.y, 0, height - scl);
}
this.show = function() {
fill(255);
rect(this.x, this.y, scl, scl);
}
this.dir = function (x , y) {
this.xspeed = x;
this.yspeed = y;
}
}

Because you're essentially checking for the distance between the top left corners of the snake and the enemy, this'll only return true, if they completely overlap.
Use an AABB collision detection instead:
return this.x + scl >= pos.x && this.x <= pos.x + scl && this.y + scl >= pos.y && this.y <= pos.y + scl;
This returns true, if the first rectangle contains the second rectangle.
MDN says:
One of the simpler forms of collision detection is between two rectangles that are axis aligned — meaning no rotation. The algorithm works by ensuring there is no gap between any of the 4 sides of the rectangles. Any gap means a collision does not exist.

Target Smooth Following [duplicate]

This question already has an answer here:
Comparing x/y of two positions on a canvas
(1 answer)
how to make a canvas element follow another canvas element smoothly at the same speed [duplicate]
Closed 6 years ago.
I'm wondering today how to make a canvas element follow another canvas element smoothly. For example, I'm trying to make a game where a canvas element continually follows the player (which can be moved using W, A, S, & D) smoothly. I had an idea to use the Pythagorean theorem to check for the closest & fastest way to move from Point A (the canvas element) to Point B (the player). However, I have no physical way to do this. Does anyone have any ideas or answers of how I could make a canvas element constantly follow a player as smoothly as possible so it reaches the player the fastest?
Here I have an example of a very bad way of following:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Target Following Test</title>
</head>
<body>
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-2.1.0.js"></script>
<center>
<canvas id="canvas" width="800" height="500"></canvas>
</center>
<script>
var canvas = document.getElementById("canvas");
var ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
var width = canvas.width;
var height = canvas.height;
var circle = function(x, y, radius, fillCircle, color) {
ctx.beginPath();
ctx.fillStyle = color;
ctx.arc(x, y, radius, 0, Math.PI * 2, false);
if (fillCircle) {
ctx.fill();
} else {
ctx.stroke();
}
};
var drawRect = function(x, y, color) {
ctx.fillStyle = color;
ctx.fillRect(x, y, 20, 20)
}
//Moving Obstacle
var Obstacle = function(x, y) {
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
this.vSpeed = 0;
this.hSpeed = 0;
}
Obstacle.prototype.drawOb = function(color) {
drawRect(this.x, this.y, "Red")
}
Obstacle.prototype.follow = function() {
this.y += this.vSpeed
this.x += this.hSpeed
if (this.x < ball.x - 9) {
this.hSpeed = 1;
}
if (this.x > ball.x - 10) {
this.hSpeed = -1;
}
if (this.y > ball.y - 10) {
this.vSpeed = -1;
}
if (this.y < ball.y - 9) {
this.vSpeed = 1;
}
}
Obstacle.prototype.checkCollision = function(direction) {
return (ball.x - ball.radius < this.x + 20) &&
(ball.x + ball.radius > this.x) &&
(ball.y - ball.radius < this.y + 20) &&
(ball.y + ball.radius > this.y);
}
// The Ball constructor
var Ball = function() {
this.x = 20
this.y = 20
this.xSpeed = 0;
this.ySpeed = 0;
this.radius = 10;
};
// Draw the ball at its current position
Ball.prototype.draw = function() {
circle(this.x, this.y, 10, true, "Black");
};
Ball.prototype.reposition = function(reX, reY) {
this.x = reX;
this.y = reY;
}
// Update the ball's position based on its speed
Ball.prototype.move = function() {
this.x += this.xSpeed;
this.y += this.ySpeed;
if (this.x < 11) {
this.x = 11;
} else if (this.x > width - 11) {
this.x = width - 11;
} else if (this.y < 11) {
this.y = 11;
} else if (this.y > height - 11) {
this.y = height - 11;
}
};
// Set the ball's direction based on a string
Ball.prototype.setDirection = function(direction) {
if (direction === "up") {
this.xSpeed = 0;
this.ySpeed = -2;
} else if (direction === "down") {
this.xSpeed = 0;
this.ySpeed = 2;
} else if (direction === "left") {
this.xSpeed = -2;
this.ySpeed = 0;
} else if (direction === "right") {
this.xSpeed = 2;
this.ySpeed = 0;
} else if (direction === "stop") {
this.xSpeed = 0;
this.ySpeed = 0;
}
};
function simulate() {
var prev_ball_x = ball.x;
var prev_ball_y = ball.y;
var prev_fol_x = follower.x;
var prev_fol_y = follower.y;
ball.move();
follower.follow()
if (follower.checkCollision()) {
ball.setDirection('stop');
follower.vSpeed = 0;
follower.hSpeed = 0;
follower.x = prev_fol_x;
follower.y = prev_fol_y;
ball.x = prev_ball_x;
ball.y = prev_ball_y;
}
}
function draw() {
ctx.clearRect(0, 0, width, height);
ball.draw();
follower.drawOb();
ctx.strokeRect(0, 0, width, height);
}
// An object to convert keycodes into action names
var keyActions = {
37: "left",
38: "up",
39: "right",
40: "down"
};
// The keydown handler that will be called for every keypress
$("body").keydown(function(event) {
var direction = keyActions[event.keyCode];
ball.setDirection(direction);
});
$("body").keyup(function(event) {
ball.setDirection('stop');
})
setInterval(function() {
// separate drawing and simulating phases
simulate();
draw();
}, 10);
// Create all the Objects!
var ball = new Ball();
var follower = new Obstacle(400, 100);
</script>
</body>
</html>

Note: i haven't really inspected your code...
But hopefully I understand your question correctly. And if I do, the solution could be pretty simple.
The most simple and fast way is to move the canvas element in a straight line to the player, without the help of mr Pythagoras. For that you need to know the player's position (x, y), which you do.
I took an easing function from an AS3 question, but it's the same for JS: AS 3 simple ease
On every update, ease the follower to the position of the player:
follower.x += (player.x - follower.x) / delay;
follower.y += (player.y - follower.y) / delay;
Example: Fiddle
It isn't a drop-in fix for your script, but hopefully it's helpful