Thread: Line Intersection

How would one go about finding if two 2D line segments intersect? I know how to do it on paper, but I'm totally baffled how to do it in code. Any suggestions?

Two lines of code can't intersect, it would drive the compiler nuts.

Are you talking about graphical programming or are you just asking how to code the equation to see if two lines intersect?

If you're talking about the latter, then simply write a program that accepts ( or figures out ) the slopes of both lines, and if they aren't parallel and they are both straight, then they intersect.

Yeah, I guess it would. I totally ran into that one.

Originally Posted by Prelude

Two lines of code can't intersect, it would drive the compiler nuts.

If this isn't a joke that I don't understand then I'd say you don't understand his question.

He's asking how to write code to figure out if two lines on a Cartesian plane intersect.

... atleast I think that's what he's asking.

>If this isn't a joke that I don't understand then I'd say you don't understand his question.
I guess it's a joke that you don't understand then.

Yeah, I figured that much from his reply.

By standard, the variables in slope-intercept is Y = mX + B.

I stumbled upon another way a while back. Its a good deal simpler, and it does indeed work.

Code:

struct vertex
{
	  float x,z;
};

bool intersect (vertex v1, vertex v2, vertex p1, vertex p2);
bool counter_clockwise(vertex p1, vertex p2, vertex p3);

/*Call this function with your four points
 *v1,v2 are vertices of one line
 *p1,p2 are vertices of the other
 */

bool intersect (vertex v1, vertex v2, vertex p1, vertex p2)
{
  if (counter_clockwise(p1,p2,v1)!=counter_clockwise(p1,p2,v2) && counter_clockwise(v1,v2,p1)!=counter_clockwise(v1,v2,p2))
  {
    return 1; //The lines of collided
  }
  else
  {
    return 0;
  }
}

bool counter_clockwise(vertex p1,vertex p2,vertex p3)
{
  return ((p2.z-p1.z)*(p3.x-p2.x)<(p3.z-p2.z)*(p2.x-p1.x));
}

I've modified this so that it is not dependent on my game.
It should work, and does compile correctly (assuming no Copy/Paste errors).

This code has been reformatted to fit your web browser

Maybe not. As you know, simple inproper uses of variables, be it used in comments, code, or what have you, have a tendency to drive obviously highly intelligent things like home PCs to insanity. Which is the reason that so many PCs have been murdering their end users in thie sleep, lately.

Originally Posted by CrazyNorman

This code has been reformatted to fit your web browser

It doesn't fit mine.

Be sure to use your right margin, it's a magical thing.

Well, I think I got something figured out. I have yet to test it and debug it, but I'll get around to it later. Anyways, heres the code.

Code:

   // Get the slope of the lines
   double slope1 = End.Y - Start.Y / End.X - Start.X;
   double slope2 = otherLine.End.Y - otherLine.Start.Y / otherLine.End.X - otherLine.Start.X;
   
   // Get the Y - intercepts of the line
   double yInt1 = slope1 * Start.X - Start.Y;
   double yInt2 = slope2 * otherLine.Start.X - otherLine.Start.Y;
   
   // Return false if the lines are paralell
   if (slope1 == slope2)
   {
      return false;
   }
   
   // Calculate the intersection point
   double intersectionX = (yInt2 - yInt1) / (slope1 - slope2);
   double intersectionY = slope1 * intersectionX + yInt1;
   
   // Check if the two line segments intersect
   if (intersectionX < Start.X || intersectionY > Start.Y || intersectionX > End.X || intersectionY < End.Y)
   {
      return false;   
   }
   else
   {
      return true;
   }

Originally Posted by Highland Laddie

Code:

   // Get the slope of the lines
   double slope1 = End.Y - Start.Y / End.X - Start.X;
   double slope2 = otherLine.End.Y - otherLine.Start.Y / otherLine.End.X - otherLine.Start.X;
// snip
   
   // Calculate the intersection point
   double intersectionX = (yInt2 - yInt1) / (slope1 - slope2);

you need to check these lines for division by zero