Probably a simple problem but... I need help.
 

I have a product which forms a variable in a plugin using the postbit_display_start hook:
Then, I echo this string in my "postbit" using $someVar in the template.

This works completely fine and it echos and works properly.

However, when it comes to viewing a private message, it screws up. For some reason, when postbit_display_start executes, it ends up using the user id of the person VIEWING the PM, not of the person who the PM is from...

What I need is to basically have a string (for both viewing posts/threads AND for viewing PMs) which has the poster's/sender's user ID in it.

Can't you just put this in the template itself?

No because I'm using the userid to create an image path in the plugin.

For example:
I just don't get why when the postbit hook is used for a post, $post[userid] is the poster's ID but when you use the hook for private messages, $post[userid] ends up being the currently logged in user viewing the PM.

I'm not sure why that would occur. Does
Work? Or:
As a last resort check the PHP code in the file located around the hook it may give you clues as to which variable to use.

is what i'm using and it only works for posts.

would probably work but only for PMs.

I suppose if there's a way to determine whether a PM or Post is being viewed in the plugin, I could assign the proper variable.

BUT still: why is vBulletin using MY userid for $post['userid'] in the plugin and only for PMs? It doesn't really make any sense.

This is still an issue... can anyone help?

$post['fromuserid'] would not be set in a thread so use a conditional checking if a value is set for $post['fromuserid'] and use that id if it is and an else clause using the other if it is not set

I really doubt vBulletin would load your UserID into the $post['userid'], are you sure you not viewing a PM you sent to yourself or something? (Look at the variable vBulletin uses when it links your username to the profile. It uses $post['userid'], maybe if you tried moving the hook to postbit_display_complete and used $this->post['userid'] ?).

If it still doesn't work post the full code you are using.