From Fantastic Wiki

Triggers allow a contraption to 'activate' given a condition occurring at a later time. While the game has no built-in buttons, timers, or programming, triggers can be entirely mechanical. For example, at the end of a track may be a obstruction that would push a lever on a vehicle that would open a gate, allowing goal objects to drop from a container.

Contents 1 Timers 2 Building a Trigger 2.1 Target 2.2 Delay mechanism 2.3 Triggering mechanism 3 Related links 3.1 Examples

[edit] Timers

Timers are the use of a trigger to time an event. There are several ways of creating a mechanical contraption that will activate at a later time:

• Using a wheel that will slowly roll (and fall) onto a set of platforms until it reaches the triggering mechanism
• Using a vehicle that will travel a distance before reaching a triggering mechanism
• Using a heavyweight (for example wooden sticks) and making a rope to fall off a cliff

Ex.[1] Simple (by thebrain*) Ex.[2] More Complicated (by nurket)

For levels where timing is an integral part, timers serve to provide the required delay.

[edit] Building a Trigger

The three elements of a trigger are:

1. The target object/contraption that is being delayed (the "target")
2. The delay mechanism (the "delayer")
3. The triggering mechanism (the "trigger")

[edit] Target

The target must be a contraption or object that will launch by itself when it is released. In the example in the picture, the powered wheels are pushing against the ground, causing it move horizontally to the right. In this example, powered wheels are used, but gravity could be utilized as well. The contraption in this example is being blocked by the delay mechanism from advancing.

[edit] Delay mechanism

Designing the delay mechanism is the hardest part of building a triggered system. In order for the delay mechanism to work, it must be designed with the forces pushing against the delay mechanism in consideration.

In the above image, #1 is the door that is directly blocking the blue target from advancing. #2 is the second part of the delay mechanism that is applying an opposite force against the blue target's forward force. Because of #2 (and the water rods that #2 is connected to), the target is not able to push the door open. This is because the forces needed to open the door and trigger the delay mechanism are in a different directions. For the door to be opened, #2 must be pulled upwards. The target is pushing #2 to the right. (And gravity isn't much to worry about in this particular example.)

[edit] Triggering mechanism

As mentioned in the last paragraph, for the delay mechanism to be triggered to open the door, #2 must be pulled upwards. When the red door is pushed against towards the right (watch the animation at the top of this page), the blue rods will move in a way that will pull #2 upwards.

[edit] Related links

[edit] Examples

• An example of a switch in action

• Triggers galore!