HUD Text Appearing Then Disappearing

[EFEX03]

Hello, I am trying to make text appear when a player gains experience then disappear after a few seconds or so. I know how to detect a player EXP gain, but I was wondering what's the method for doing it. Should I create a timer, set the color alpha so it's visible then after a few seconds set the alpha to invisible? If there is an easier way please tell me or if this is the best way to do it. Thanks!

[find me]

I create my own element. Then spawn it when necessary, maybe this will help you.

[lua]
    local Error = {}

    function Error:Init()
        timer.Simple(2, function() if IsValid(self) then self:Remove() end end)
    end

    function Error:Paint( w, h )
        draw.RoundedBox( 0, 0, 0, w, h, Color(40, 40, 40, 200) )
        surface.SetFont("TheDefaultSettingsBig")
        local width, height = surface.GetTextSize( self.Msg )
        draw.SimpleTextOutlined( self.Msg, "TheDefaultSettingsBig", (self:GetWide()*0.5)-(width*0.5), (self:GetTall()*0.5)-(height*0.5), Color(200, 200, 200, 255), TEXT_ALIGN_LEFT, TEXT_ALIGN_TOP, 1, Color(40, 40, 40, 255))
    end

    function Error:OnMousePressed()
        self:Remove()
    end

    function Error:OnMouseReleased()
    end

    vgui.Register( "rts_error", Error, "Panel" )

if SERVER then
    util.AddNetworkString("Error_Message")

    function SendError(client, error, bool)
        net.Start("Error_Message")
            net.WriteString(error)
            if bool == 2 then
                net.WriteFloat(2)
            end
        net.Send(client)
    end

else

    net.Receive("Error_Message", function(len, pl)
        local msg = net.ReadString()
        local Bool = net.ReadFloat()
        Display_Error(msg)
        if Bool == 2 then
            if IsValid(Teams_Menu) then
                Teams_Menu:Remove()
                gui.EnableScreenClicker( false )
            end
        end
    end)

    function Display_Error(msg)
        surface.SetFont("TheDefaultSettingsBig")
        local width, height = surface.GetTextSize( msg )
        if IsValid(err) then
            err:Remove()
        end

        err = vgui.Create( "rts_error" )
        err.Msg = msg
        err:SetSize(width+16, height+16)
        err:SetPos((ScrW()*0.5)-(err:GetWide()*0.5), (ScrH()*0.5)-(err:GetTall()*0.5))
        err:SetVisible( true )
    end

end
[/lua]

[EFEX03]

Interesting method, thank you

[_Fancy_]

If you want something simpler that requires the use of a single function and fades away instead of just disappearing:
local XP = {}

XP.alpha = 0

XP.XPnotification = function(gain)
    XP.alpha = 595
    XP.gain = gain
    hook.Add("HUDPaint", "draw_xp_gain", XP.drawXPnotification)
end

XP.drawXPnotification = function()
    if not (XP.alpha > 0) then hook.Remove("HUDPaint", "draw_xp_gain") return end
    draw.SimpleText("+" .. XP.gain, "ChatFont", 20, 20, Color(230, 230, 230, XP.alpha))
    XP.alpha = XP.alpha - 15 * FrameTime() * 10
end

[EFEX03]

Wow that's easier! Thanks man!