LSL hover text script (and how to remove floating text)

Hover text is the floating text above signs, vendors, tip jars and gift boxes. This tiny script sets it in any colour and with as many lines as you need. It also answers a classic question: how do I get rid of floating text that stays after the script is gone?

lsl-hover-text-script.lsl · 18 lines Check this script

// Hover Text - free LSL script from WhatSL (https://whatsl.com/scripts/lsl-hover-text-script)
// Free to use, change and put in your own creations, also ones you sell.
//
// Shows floating text above the object. Use \n for a new line.
// The text stays on the prim even if you delete this script. To remove it, set HOVER_TEXT to ""
// and save the script once.

string HOVER_TEXT  = "Welcome!\nTouch the sign for a free gift";
vector TEXT_COLOR  = <1.0, 1.0, 1.0>;  // red, green, blue from 0.0 to 1.0 (white here)
float  TEXT_ALPHA  = 1.0;              // 1.0 = solid, 0.5 = half see-through

default
{
    state_entry()
    {
        llSetText(HOVER_TEXT, TEXT_COLOR, TEXT_ALPHA);
    }
}

Free to use, change and put in your own creations, also ones you sell.

How to set it up

Put the script in the object and change HOVER_TEXT to your words.
Use \n inside the text to start a new line.
Save. The text appears above the object.

Settings

HOVER_TEXT: your text. Keep it short; long text is hard to read from a distance.
TEXT_COLOR: red, green and blue values from 0.0 to 1.0. <1.0, 0.85, 0.3> is gold, <0.4, 0.8, 1.0> is light blue.
TEXT_ALPHA: 1.0 is solid, lower values make the text see-through.

How to remove floating text

Hover text is a setting of the prim, not of the script, so it stays when you delete the script. To remove it, set HOVER_TEXT to "" (two quotes with nothing between), save the script once, then delete the script.

Frequently asked questions

How far away can people see hover text?

Hover text is visible from a moderate distance and fades further away. Important information should also be on a texture or in a notecard.

Can I make the text change?

Yes. Call llSetText again with new text, for example from a timer or a touch event.

Does hover text cause lag?

No. It is one prim setting and costs almost nothing.

float OPEN_ANGLE = 90.0; // degrees to swing; use -90.0 to open the other way float AUTO_CLOSE = 10.0; // seconds before it closes by itself; 0.0 = stay open integer HINGE_SIDE = 1; // 1 = hinge on the +X edge, -1 = hinge on the -X edge string OPEN_SOUND = ""; // optional: a sound name in the door's Contents, or a sound UUID string CLOSE_SOUND = ""; integer gOpen = FALSE; vector gClosedPos; rotation gClosedRot; openDoor()

vector SIT_POS = <0.0, 0.0, 0.5>; // metres from the centre of the object (never use <0,0,0>) vector SIT_ROT = <0.0, 0.0, 0.0>; // degrees, for example <0.0, 0.0, 90.0> to turn the avatar string SIT_TEXT = "Sit"; // the word on the right-click menu integer HIDE_WHEN_USED = FALSE; // TRUE = the object turns invisible while someone sits (pose ball) key gSitter = NULL_KEY; string poseAnim() { return llGetInventoryName(INVENTORY_ANIMATION, 0); }

string THANK_YOU = "Thank you for the tip, %name%!"; // %name% becomes the tipper's name integer PUBLIC_THANKS = TRUE; // TRUE = say thanks in local chat, FALSE = only the tipper sees it integer DEFAULT_AMOUNT = 100; // the amount in the Pay window's box list QUICK_AMOUNTS = [50, 100, 250, 500]; // exactly four quick buttons, in L$ integer CLICK_TO_PAY = TRUE; // TRUE = a left click opens the Pay window vector TEXT_COLOR = <1.0, 0.85, 0.3>; integer gTotal = 0; string gLast = ""; string gOwnerName = "";