b3dPickedTime

Returns distance along ray to pick hit point from last pick operation (0.0 if no hit). Takes no parameters. Returns distance (Double) from g_lastPickResult.time. Reads result from last b3dCameraPick, b3dEntityPick, or b3dLinePick call. Distance from ray origin to intersection point in world units.

This function retrieves hit distance. Pick sequence: (1) Call b3dCameraPick/EntityPick/LinePick to perform ray-cast, (2) Call b3dPickedTime to get distance to hit. Distance interpretation: for b3dEntityPick, distance from entity position to hit point, for b3dLinePick, distance from ray origin to hit point, for b3dCameraPick, distance from camera near plane to hit point. Use cases: (1) Depth sorting (sort multiple hits by distance, closest first), (2) Range checks (check if hit within weapon range), (3) Impact timing (calculate projectile travel time = distance / velocity), (4) LOD selection (choose detail level based on hit distance), (5) Debug visualization (show hit distance as text). Common pattern: if b3dPickedEntity() > 0 then distance=b3dPickedTime(), if distance < weaponRange then valid hit. Typical usage: retrieve hit distance after successful pick (entity > 0), use for range validation or timing calculations. Distance calculation: distance = t value from ray equation (rayOrigin + t * rayDirection = hitPoint), t is scalar multiplier along ray direction. No hit: returns 0.0 if no entity picked (check b3dPickedEntity first), distance is undefined if pick missed. Result storage: g_lastPickResult.time populated by pick functions with t value (distance along ray). Performance: O(1) read (simple global variable access, instant). Related: b3dPickedEntity checks if hit occurred, b3dPickedX/Y/Z retrieve hit position (can calculate distance manually from origin), b3dCameraPick/EntityPick/LinePick perform picking.