Detecting a Variable Pixel

This guide introduces you to the three stages of detecting a variable pixel within a game element such as an MMORPG fishing bobber:

• Specifying a Scan Area
• Taking a Snapshot
• Specifying a pixel colour

Before we start, the Pixel Detection window needs to be opened. To do this, perform the following actions:

1. Click the Process setting list box of a suitable Condition.
2. Click the Pixel Detection option.
3. Click the Settings button ().

Fig. Pixel Detection window

MORE: To find out more about the basics of configuring Chimpeon, refer to the Getting Started guide.

Specifying a Scan Area

A variable pixel can appear in multiple positions within the game window, such as a pixel within an MMORPG fishing bobber. It is therefore necessary to specify a Scan Area where the pixel can appear and where Chimpeon looks for it.

Fig. Example of a variable pixel in an MMORPG fishing bobber

To indicate the use of a variable pixel and to specify a Scan Area, perform the following actions:

1. Click the Position list box then click the Variable option

2. Move the cursor within the game window to the top left extremity of where the pixel can appear then press the Ctrl-T key combination

The Top and Left settings in the Pixel Detection window are set to indicate the coordinates (in pixels) of the top left of the Scan Area.

3. Move the cursor within the game window to the bottom right extremity of where the pixel can appear then press the Ctrl-B key combination

The Bottom and Right settings in the Pixel Detection window are set to indicate the coordinates (in pixels) of the bottom right of the Scan Area. The border of the Scan Area also appears in the game window.

Taking a Snapshot

The colour a pixel must be before Chimpeon considers it detected or not detected, is largely specified within a component of the Pixel Detection window called Snapshot. Snapshot, like the name suggests, is a snapshot (static image) of an area of the game window where the game element a pixel colour appears in. To take a snapshot of the game area, perform the following actions:

1. Move the cursor within the game window where the game element the pixel appears in is positioned

2. Press the Alt key

A live view of the game area is displayed in Live centered at the cursor.

3. Click the Take Snapshot button () or press Shift-S

A snapshot image is taken of Live and displayed in Snapshot.

Specifying a Pixel Colour

Now the Scan Area has been specified and a snapshot has been taken, the colour of the pixel to look for must be specified.

A variable pixel in a game element such as an MMORPG fishing bobber will normally be a range of colours due to in-game lighting effects. It will therefore be necessary to specify the left and right extremities of a colour range. Chimpeon then looks for a pixel that matches the colour of the two extremities and every colour in between.

Fig. Example of a pixel with a range of colours in an MMORPG fishing bobber

NOTE: If the pixel to look for is a fixed colour (i.e. the colour does not change due to lighting) then refer to the Detecting a Fixed Pixel guide.

To indicate the use of a colour range and to specify its extremities, perform the following actions:

1. Click the Colour list box then click the Range option

2. Move the cursor over the top of a pixel in Snapshot that will determine the left extremity of the colour range

3. Press the left mouse button

A crosshair appears in Snapshot and the colour of the pixel is displayed for the left extemity of the colour range.

4. Move the cursor over the top of a pixel in Snapshot that will determine the right extremity of the colour range

5. Press the right mouse button

A crosshair appears in Snapshot and the colour of the pixel is displayed for the right extemity of the colour range.

HINT: To make a pixel colour easier to select, zoom into Snapshot using the Mousewheel Up button and zoom out using the Mousewheel Down button when the cursor is over Snapshot.