How to detect player proximity to an object?

I assume the best way to detect if a player is close to something (like a switch, close enough to touch it) is to use an invisible sprite that they come in contact with, something big enough to surround the object. When they do, the switch becomes clickable (and an outline is present).

Is there a better way before I get too ahead of myself? I will be using this quite a bit.

Thanks for any help.

Either one of these distances in an expression depending on your need.

https://lyfat.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/euclidean-vs-chebyshev-vs-manhattan-distance/

Thank you!

Why not just use the distance expression?

distance(sprite.x, sprite.y, player.x, player.y)

If you use the distance function then combine it with "switch Not outside layout" condition so the distance function only runs when switch is on screen, as it can be a cpu hog if doing it on lots of object (if you have lots of switches).

Why not just use the distance expression?

distance(sprite.x, sprite.y, player.x, player.y)

The distance function (euclidian) uses the dreaded square root. So it's better to use something else if the distance check is to be repeated many times.

Magistross

I just tried "On every tick > Repeat 1000 times > compare distance" and got 60 FPS and only about 5% increase on CPU utilization.

So unless OP wants to do this check tens of thousands times on every tick, he should be fine.

5% CPU increase is quite a lot for only 1000 operations. However, as you said, OP will probably not need that many checks.

It can become relevant when many objects compare there distance to many other objects, akin to collision testing.