Unsolved Releasing Grabbed Nodes

Hello!

I'm trying to programmatically release nodes that were stuck together with the node grabber. For example, if I strap a mattress or recliner to the top of a car using the node grabber, I'm trying to dump the cargo with the push of a button. Here's the code of interest:

Code:

--Prep the module
local M = {}
M.type = "auxilliary"
M.relevantDevice = nil
M.defaultOrder = 1

--Release node-grabbed nodes
local function releaseNodes()
  
    --Get player vehicle ID
    local vid = be:getPlayerVehicleID(0)
    if vid ~= nil then
      
        --Release node-grabbed nodes
        be.nodeGrabber:clearVehicleFixedNodes(vid)
        log('I', "Node Release", "OK...")
    else
        log('I', "Node Release", "Uh-oh...")
    end
end

-- Public interface
M.releaseNodes = releaseNodes

-- Return the module
return M

I've progressed to the point where no errors or warnings pop up in the debug window, and I can see where "OK..." is output because the code reaches that point, but nothing seems to happen. The above code is in an "extension.lua" file, which is loaded with a "modScript.lua" file.

I think I read in another post that the function be.nodeGrabber:clearVehicleFixedNodes unsticks any nodes stuck to a vehicle using the node grabber. Am I using the function wrong, or maybe using the wrong function?

I'm actually testing this by spawning the D-series tow truck mod, using the node grabber to stick the tow hook to the front bumper of a Pidgeon, and towing it away. When I get to the scrapyard, I trigger the code above, and I see "OK..." appear in the debug window, but the tow hook doesn't detach from the Pidgeon's bumper.

Any help that can be provided is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.


P.S. -- I posted this in the wrong area earlier. Sorry for the extra post.

 

Sweeeeeeet! I'll give it a try. Thank you!

 

I tried the function again, and it releases grabbed nodes that are stuck in mid air, but it doesn't seem to release nodes that are stuck to other nodes.

Nodes-to-Nodes
For testing, I spawned the D-Series tow truck again, and tried to tow a Covet. I stuck the tow hook to the Covet's front bumper using the node grabber and towed it away. When I got to the repair shop, I tried to release the tow hook from the bumper using the code listed above. I saw the "OK..." message in the debug console, but the tow hook didn't release the Covet bumper. I also noticed that I couldn't manually release the nodes using the middle mouse button.

Nodes in Air
I remembered being able to manually release nodes using the middle mouse button when I hung them in mid air. I verified this by resetting the tow truck, hanging its hook in mid air, and releasing the hook with the middle button. I then hung the hook in mid air again, and successfully released it using the node release code above.

Maybe there's a subtle difference between nodes hung in mid air vs. nodes stuck to other nodes?

 

Doh, I was afraid of that. Thanks for checking it out.

I still have a question though: Is there a way that I can use the mouse to unstick nodes stuck to other nodes using the node grabber? I can use the middle mouse button to unstick nodes hung in mid-air, but that doesn't seem to work with nodes stuck to other nodes. I'm probably doing it wrong.

I had the tow truck in mind, which has a coupler on the hook, but not all vehicles have a corresponding coupler on a bumper. For most cars, I have to stick the hook to the bumper with the node grabber. I was hoping for a convenient function that drops all grabbed nodes on-command. I have a work around that involves a small octahedron (breakable link) that's inserted between the tow hook and the towed vehicle's bumper. On-command, the octahedron breaks all of its beams, releasing the car being towed.