Easy Guide: What Does the `tags` Section Do?

What is the `tags` Section?

In mrc-cooking, the tags section is only used on factories (your cooking stations) in config.lua. It lets you control how things look and act when someone uses a cooking station. You can use it to set up camera angles, play animations, show props (objects), and add cool effects like steam or fire.

You put the tags table inside a factory in your config.lua.

What Can You Do With Tags?

Here are the main things you can set up:

1. Camera

Change where the player’s camera looks when using or crafting at a station.

['camera'] = {
    onUse = {
        offset = vector3(X, Y, Z),         -- Move the camera to this spot
        rotationOffset = vector3(X, Y, Z), -- Rotate the camera
    },
    onCraft = {
        offset = vector3(X, Y, Z),
        rotationOffset = vector3(X, Y, Z),
    },
}

2. Player Animation

Make the player’s character do an animation (like stirring, grilling, etc).

['player_animation'] = {
    onUse = {
        dict = 'animation_dictionary', -- Animation group name
        animation = 'animation_name',  -- Animation name
        flag = 1,                      -- Usually 1 (how the animation plays)
    },
    onCraft = {
        dict = 'animation_dictionary',
        animation = 'animation_name',
        flag = 1,
    },
}

3. Props

Show objects (like pots, pans, or tools) either on the table or in the player’s hand.

['props'] = {
    onUse = {
        {
            model = 'prop_model_name',      -- What object to show
            offset = vector3(X, Y, Z),     -- Where to put it
            rotationOffset = vector3(X, Y, Z),
        },
    },
    onCraft = {
        {
            model = 'prop_model_name',
            bone = 'IK_R_Hand',            -- Attach to player's hand (optional)
            offset = vector3(X, Y, Z),
            rotationOffset = vector3(X, Y, Z),
        },
    }
}

If you use bone, the prop sticks to the player. If not, it sits on the table.

4. Particles

Add effects like steam, fire, or smoke.

['particles'] = {
    onCraft = {
        {
            dict = "particle_dictionary",  -- Effect group name
            name = "effect_name",          -- Effect name
            scale = 1.0,                   -- Size of the effect
            color = vector3(R, G, B),      -- Color (optional)
            offset = vector3(X, Y, Z),     -- Where to show it
            rotationOffset = vector3(X, Y, Z),
            looped = true,                 -- Should it repeat?
        },
    },
}

How Do I Use It?

Copy the parts you want (camera, animation, props, particles) into the tags section of your factory.
Change the values to fit your setup (try different numbers to see what looks good).
You don’t have to use every section—just the ones you want.

Example

tags = {
    camera = {
        onUse = {
            offset = vector3(-1, -1, 2),
            rotationOffset = vector3(-45, 0, -45),
        },
    },
    player_animation = {
        onCraft = {
            dict = 'amb@prop_human_bbq@male@idle_a',
            animation = 'idle_b',
            flag = 1,
        },
    },
    props = {
        onCraft = {
            {
                model = 'prop_kitch_pot_lrg',
                offset = vector3(0, 0.75, 0),
                rotationOffset = vector3(0, 0, -30),
            },
        },
    },
    particles = {
        onCraft = {
            {
                dict = "core",
                name = "ent_amb_torch_fire",
                scale = 0.5,
                offset = vector3(0, 0.75, -0.15),
                rotationOffset = vector3(0, 0, 0),
                looped = true,
            },
        },
    },
}

Tip: Play around with the numbers and see what happens in-game. You can make your cooking stations look and feel unique!

Easy Guide: What Does the tags Section Do?

What is the tags Section?