Wait suspends command processing for the given number of wait_frames or, when no argument is supplied, until commands that execute over multiple frames have finished. Thus, wait can be used to enforce the ordered rather than simultaneous execution of commands in scripts and demos. For example, in the following:
roll y 3 120; waitthe wait command prevents the rock from starting until the roll has finished.
rock x 2 68
Wait is also useful for generating duplicate image frames. Stretches of duplicate frames correspond to periods of time where objects remain static. If motion occurs in the last few frames of a movie, due to the encoding process it may appear to end on a blur. This effect can be avoided by including a few wait frames (wait 5 or similar) at the end of scripted movie content.
When a script is executed, a single-frame display update (implicit wait 1) will be added at the end of each line that: (a) contains one or more commands that could change the display, and (b) does not already end with an explicit wait of any length. (Exception: display updates are not added when a script is executed with read.)
See also: sleep, pause, movie-related commands