How can I attach multiple models to an entity in Garry's Mod?

Question

I want to make a scripted entity that looks like the left side of this picture, combining several models together: the equipment rack, computer screen, keyboard, battery, etc.

I want to do this with Lua scripting, not by using Blender to merge all these models together into one.

How can I do this?

Answer 1

If you have two distinct models :

• models/machine/machime.mdl
• models/rack/rack.mdl

You can then create two entities :

1. The machine entity

   1.1 lua/entities/machine/init.lua

AddCSLuaFile( "cl_init.lua" )
AddCSLuaFile( "shared.lua" )

include('shared.lua')

function ENT:Initialize()
   self:SetModel("models/machime/machime.mdl")
   self:PhysicsInit(SOLID_VPHYSICS)
   self:SetMoveType(MOVETYPE_VPHYSICS)
   self:SetSolid(SOLID_VPHYSICS)

   local phys = self:GetPhysicsObject()

   if phys:IsValid() then
      phys:Wake()
   end
end

1.2 lua/entities/machine/cl_init.lua

include('shared.lua')

function ENT:Draw()
  self:DrawModel()
end

1.3 lua/entities/machine/shared.lua

ENT.Type = "anim"
ENT.Base = "base_gmodentity"

ENT.AdminOnly   = false
ENT.Spawnable   = true
ENT.PrintName   = "My machine"
ENT.Purpose     = "This is a really good machine"

2. The rack entity

   2.1 lua/entities/rack/init.lua

AddCSLuaFile( "cl_init.lua" )
AddCSLuaFile( "shared.lua" )

include('shared.lua')

function ENT:Initialize()
   self:SetModel("models/rack/rack.mdl")
   self:PhysicsInit(SOLID_VPHYSICS)
   self:SetMoveType(MOVETYPE_VPHYSICS)
   self:SetSolid(SOLID_VPHYSICS)

   local phys = self:GetPhysicsObject()

   if phys:IsValid() then
      phys:Wake()
   end
end

2.2 lua/entities/rack/cl_init.lua

include('shared.lua')

function ENT:Draw()
  self:DrawModel()
end

2.3 lua/entities/rack/shared.lua

ENT.Type = "anim"
ENT.Base = "base_gmodentity"

ENT.AdminOnly   = false
ENT.Spawnable   = true
ENT.PrintName   = "My rack"
ENT.Purpose     = "To rack them all"

Finally to put the rack in the machine you can use ENT:SetParent :

local machine = ents.Create("machine") -- create a new machine entity
machine:SetPos(THE_POSITION) -- change the position of spawn
machine:Spawn() -- spawn it

local rack = ents.Create("rack") -- create a rack entity
rack:SetParent(machine) -- set the parent to machine
rack:SetLocalPos(THE_LOCAL_POS) -- where the rack is relative to the machine
rack:Spawn() -- spawn it

Note : In the last part the example spawn and put the rack in the machine. You could also use the ShouldCollide hook to put the rack in the machine when they'r about to collide !