Plugs and Plugholder

Okay.. When i first saw the plug in HL² i thought: hey, you must have that. And i think you want to have them also!
So here is the Tutorial.
I assume you already know how to make a map. So i directly start over.

Ingedients:

filter_activator_name

func_physbox

info_target

2x keyframe_rope

phys_lengthconstraint

prop_dynamic

trigger_teleport

for some eyecandy:

prop_static

Let's start with the Eyecandy. I choosed a prop_static with props_lab/tpplugholder.mdl as world model.

Then we're going to add one of the keyframe_rope entities. In this case i placed it on the first of the two plugs.
Configure like this:

Name: plug_rope_1

At next we're going to place our third plug. the one we can plug in.
place the prop_dynamic near these plugs. then you need to configure it:

Parent: plug_physbox

World Model props_lab/tpplug.mdl

Name: plug_plug

Collisions: Not solid

Start Fade Dist: -1

at next we're placing the second keyframe_rope at the end of the plug. just like in the game. it also needs some configurations to work proper:

name: plug_rope_2

parent: plug_physbox

Next Keyframe: plug_rope_1

Slack: 25 (or whatever you want)

Now we have a plug connected through a wire with another plug. but how to move both?
and what is that "plug_physbox"-entity?
now the answer: make a black brush (tools/toolsblack; 1x5x5 units) and place it direct in front of our plug. dont make it too big.
Tie it to an entity: func_physbox
This is our main entity. So far i know it controlls almost everything you can do with the plug. So some settings are necessary:

Name: plug_physbox

Prop Data: Metal.Small

Material Type: Metal

RenderMode: Color

FX Amount: 0

Not solid to world: Solid to World

Not affected by rotor wash
generate output on use

Now you should have something similar to this:

The black block we added in front will be, due to our settings, invisible ingame.

Now to the next entity we're going to add: phys_lengthconstraint.
This one will hold our plug together. place it near the plug and click on the little circle. Move it to the end where the keyframe_rope is.

Guess you know what's next. right. Setting up the phys_lengthconstraint:

Name: plug_constraint

Entity 1: plug_physbox

Change mass to keep stable attachment to world

That was it! for now.
you should have now a plug on a rope you can carry around.
but how to put it into the plugholder? for that we need the three left entites: filter_activator_name, trigger_teleport and info_target
Place the filter_activator_name somewhere in your map and set it up:

Name: plug_filter

Filter Mode: Allow entities that match criteria

Filter Name: plug_physbox

so far so good. this is to make sure that ONLY the func_physbox we attached to our plug can activate the teleporter.
Let's place the last two entities:
Place the teleporter-brush (1x10x10) a bit in the plugholder. i used the prop_dynamic plug to adjust it.
then place the info_target at the end of the prop_dynamic (delete the prop_dynamic after setting up the teleporter!):

Now the last settings:
prop_dynamic

Name: plug_dest

trigger_teleport

Name: plug_teleporter

Filter Name: plug_filter

Remote Destination: plug_dest

Physics Objects

Now we're setting up the outputs. All are "OnEndTouch":

Target Entity	Target Input	Delay
plug_teleporter	Disable	0.10
plug_teleporter	Enable	10.00
plug_physbox	DisableMotion	0.10
plug_physbox	ForceDrop	9.99
plug_physbox	EnableMotion	10

This disables the teleporter when the plug is in (for 10 seconds here). after the time is up the plug gets thrown out.

~ finished ~