Zone-Based Systems in FiveM

Zone detection is at the heart of many gameplay mechanics in FiveM, whether it be safe zones, job areas or restricted areas.

Basic method: GetDistanceBetweenCoords

local zoneCenter = vector3(100.0, 200.0, 30.0)
local zoneRadius = 50.0

Citizen.CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local playerCoords = GetEntityCoords(PlayerPedId())
        local distance = GetDistanceBetweenCoords(playerCoords, zoneCenter, true)
        
        if distance <= zoneRadius then
            DrawText3D(zoneCenter.x, zoneCenter.y, zoneCenter.z + 1.0, "~y~Safe Zone")
        end
        
        Citizen.Wait(500)
    end
end)

M2.SafeZone Configuration

Config.Zones = {
    {
        name = "Legion Square Safe Zone",
        coords = vector3(195.17, -933.77, 30.69),
        radius = 100.0,
        blip = {
            sprite = 1,
            color = 2,
            scale = 0.8,
            label = "Safe Zone"
        }
    },
    {
        name = "Hospital Safe Zone",
        coords = vector3(1839.56, 3672.87, 34.28),
        radius = 80.0,
        blip = { sprite = 61, color = 49, scale = 0.9, label = "Hospital" }
    }
}

ESX.Point — Zone at Smart

local point = ESX.Points.add(
    vector3(441.7, -986.8, 30.7),
    5.0,
    function() -- onEnter
        exports['M2.Notify']:Notify('info', 'Press E to execute', 5000)
    end,
    function() -- onExit
        exports['M2.Notify']:Notify('info', 'Exit workspace', 3000)
    end,
    function() -- onTick
        DrawText3D(441.7, -986.8, 31.7, "[E] - Start")
        if IsControlJustReleased(0, 38) then
            TriggerServerEvent('myJob:startWork')
        end
    end
)

Performance Tip

-- Don't use Wait(0) if not necessary.
-- Use dynamic wait instead.
Citizen.CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local coords = GetEntityCoords(PlayerPedId())
        local nearZone = IsNearAnyZone(coords)
        Citizen.Wait(nearZone and 100 or 1000) -- Near the zone, check frequently, far away, check for a long time.
    end
end)

Summary

Zone-based systems are the building blocks of FiveM gameplay, starting with radius-based detection, using ESX.Points for interaction, and M2.SafeZone for safe areas.