> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://godot-essentials.gitbook.io/addons-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://godot-essentials.gitbook.io/addons-documentation/autoload/helpers.md).
# Helpers
This plugin provides a global singleton named Helpers to contain all the stuff that can be shared globally and can be useful in your game.
## Normalize vector
Normalize the vector only if it's not normalized. Returns the vector
`GodotEssentialsHelpers.normalize_vector(Vector2(30, -40))`
## Normalize diagonal vector
A diagonal vector requires additional treatment, which can be applied using this function.
`GodotEssentialsHelpers.normalize_diagonal_vector(Vector2(-0.7444, 0.7444))`
## Is diagonal direction
Performs a basic check and returns whether the direction passed as a parameter is diagonal. This function is used internally by the `normalize_diagonal_vector` function.
`GodotEssentialsHelpers.is_diagonal_direction(Vector2(1, -1))`
## Generate random direction
Simple random Vector2 direction generator, use this function if you need a random direction in some behaviour of your game. The result **is normalized**
## Generate random angle
Generate a random angle between a range provided, the unit is on degrees
```python
# Between 90º and 120º
GodotEssentialsHelpers.generate_random_angle(90, 120) # 117º
```
## Generate random directions from an origin Vector2
This function generate a `n` random directions in a `Array[Vector2]` format from an starting vector point defining the min and max angles:
# 5 Random directions from Vector down (0, 1) between 90º and 180º
GodotEssentialsHelpers.generate_random_directions_on_angle_range(Vector2.DOWN, 90, 180, 5)
# 25 random directions from the actual player global position between 0 and 360º
GodotEssentialsHelpers.generate_random_directions_on_angle_range(player.global_position, 0, 360, 25)
## :ice\_cream: Frame Freeze
To achieve a slow-motion effect you can use this function that receives the **time scale** *(as time goes by frame by frame)* and **the duration of the freeze** in seconds.
```python
# Time scale 0.05
# Duration 0.5 sec
GodotEssentialsHelpers.frame_freeze(0.05, 0.5)
```
Here you can see an example that trigger a frame freeze when a character jumps:
```python
func handle_jump():
if Input.is_action_just_pressed("jump"):
velocity_component_2d.jump()
GodotEssentialsHelpers.frame_freeze(0.05, 1)
```
Frame freeze example 1 sec
## Generate random string
You can use this function to generate a random string with a specified length and character list, which is set to its default value of `"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0123456789"`
For instance, you can utilize this function to create invitation codes for your multiplayer rooms:
```python
var invitation_code: String = GodotEssentialsHelpers.generate_random_string(4, "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0123456789") # YMZ2
```
### Validate an url
As the String class from Godot lack this validation you can use the following one:
```python
GodotEssentialsHelpers.is_valid_url("https://example.com") # true
```
### Signals
**frame\_freezed** signal is emitted when the effect starts in case you want to listen to it to perform other actions such as triggering animations.
Here you can see a basic example:
```python
func _ready():
GodotEssentialsHelpers.frame_freezed.connect(on_frame_freezed)
func on_frame_freezed():
animated_sprite.play("juicy_hurt")
...
```
