Flipping negative and positive without conditions

[DeathmongerB]

Hello. I've been playing around with fusion and was wondering if anyone had a solution to this problem.

Let's say I have Alterable Value A, this can equal either -1, 0 or 1. I want to be able to flip this value to its positive/negative counterpart. Now normally I would use the following equation:

A = -A

In fusion however I have tried to use the following expressions, without much luck.

Set Alterable Value A = -Alterable Value A("Object")
Syntax Error

Set Alterable Value A = Val( "-" + Str$( Alterable Value A( "Object" ) ) )
-1 = 0 (should be 1)
0 = 0
1 = -1

Trying to add the additional - sign to an existing number doesn't seem possible, unless I am missing something glaringly obvious here. Val() appears to read --1 as 0, however the regular integer equation of --1 returns 1 as it should.

Like I said, I am trying to achieve this without the use of conditional statements as I am using timed loops using the ForEach object and I don't want things getting too kludged. The actual value of Alterable Value A is a randomly generated number to determine the direction of an NPC. So:

DISTANCE * Alterable Value A = Left or right for X axis depending on -1 or 1.

Appreciate any help you can give me

[happygreenfrog]

Let's say you want to invert Alterable Value A for an object called "Active":
0 - Alterable Value A("Active")

Does that work? I didn't test it to make sure, but in theory, it should work...

[DeathmongerB]

Glaringly obvious but 100% effective. Thanks so much, and really appreciate the quick response as well!

[happygreenfrog]

You're welcome! Glad I could help!

[SHINBAXTER]

i think the equation u were lookin for was...

A = A *-1

[DeathmongerB]

No, that equation converts A in to a negative value only. I am trying to dynamically convert a positive to a negative AND negative to a positive in the same line. So if A equals the following values then the corresponding values would be the output.

A = +1 THEN A = -+1 (or -1)
A = -1 THEN A = --1 (or +1)
A = 0 THEN A = -0 (or 0)

[danworth]

A = A *-1 doesn't convert to just a negative value. If you are using calc to test it may do that. but if you multiply any value by -1 in code it will toggle the sign.

Its a common calculation used in custom bouncing ball movements.

[DeathmongerB]

That's a useful tip actually. I've been programming for 20 years and didn't realise that. Thanks for the advice