Help with 8-Directional Movement with Sprites

[RAREMIND ARTWORKS]

I'm looking to have my object move in 8 directions but with each direction I want him to change sprites face the direction he's going.

For example he's my code:

//Movement
if keyboard_check(vk_up) && place_free(x,y-5) {y-=5}
if keyboard_check(vk_down) && place_free(x,y+5) {y+=5}
if keyboard_check(vk_right) && place_free(x+5,y-5) {x+=5}
if keyboard_check(vk_left) && place_free(x-5,y) {x-=5}

//Set Sprite
switch(direction){
case 0: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Right_; break;
case 45: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Up_Right_; break;
case 90: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Up_ break;
case 135: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Up_Left_ break;
case 180: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Left_; break;
case 225: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Down_Left_; break;
case 270: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Down_; break;
case 315: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Down_Right_l; break;
}


I've gotten him to move in the 8 directions but his sprite isn't changing while doing so. Please help.

[The Winter Bud]

teh reason why your code is not getting teh correct sprite to line up is because moving an object by it's x and y doesn't update it's direction. You'll have to do that before you change your sprites.

direction=point_direction(xprevious,yprevious,x,y);
//Set Sprite
switch(direction){
  case 0: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Right_; break;
  case 45: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Up_Right_; break;
  case 90: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Up_ break;
  case 135: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Up_Left_ break;
  case 180: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Left_; break;
  case 225: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Down_Left_; break;
  case 270: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Down_; break;
  case 315: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Down_Right_l; break;
}

[RAREMIND ARTWORKS]

Thanks that worked.

When I release the keys (in choosen directions) What code would I use to have my player stop moving and be facing in most recent direction?
Rather than go back to the starting direction.

[Zappy]

Originally posted by jmise5:

- When I release the keys (in choosen directions) What code would I use to have my player stop moving and be facing in most recent direction? -

The same as your current sprite-switching code, just put it between...

if x!=xprevious or y!=yprevious //If the player has moved this frame
{

...and a "}" (without quotes).

[The Winter Bud]

Just in case Zappy's concept is unclear, I think this is what they mean

if (x!=xprevious or y!=yprevious) //If the player has moved this frame
{
  direction=point_direction(xprevious,yprevious,x,y); // update direction
  //Set Sprite
  switch(direction){
    case 0: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Right_; break;
    case 45: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Up_Right_; break;
    case 90: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Up_ break;
    case 135: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Up_Left_ break;
    case 180: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Left_; break;
    case 225: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Down_Left_; break;
    case 270: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Down_; break;
    case 315: sprite_index = sprite_Run_Down_Right_l; break;
  }
}