Tool Script File Names: In most cases the tool files should be named with the initials of the creator and an underscore preceding the name of the script to differentiate them from the originally installed tools which are named with lm_ (Lost Marble).
So for instance all of Fazek's tools start with... fa_
in some cases though it can be simpler to just name the file the same as the default and replace it. You should however back up the original tool in case you need it.
For instance the select shape tool created by 7feet listed in the post above does not change the name of the tool. It has the same name as the original. I would recommend moving the original out of the tool folder so you have a backup before dropping the new one.
Utility scripts
Along with Fazek's tools is a utility script. The way tools work in AS is that they will make "calls" to the same "functions" over and over. For instance making a bone menu, or a bone choice menu or any number of things. These often used functions are kept inside a utility script. Any script in the utility script folder is automatically "loaded" by AS and those functions are available for use by any script.
Fazek has placed functions specific to his tools in his own utility script. This makes the tools easier to change and update. there is less repetitious code
When you unzip his tools you will also get a utility script that needs to be placed in:
Anime Studio Pro/scripts/utility/
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There should be 3 files associated with each tool.
Using Fazek's translate point tool as an example:
fa_translate_points.lua -- this is the actual tool itself
fa_translate_points_cursor.png -- this is the image used as the cursor
fa_translate_points.png -- this is the image that will appear in the tool palette.
You put all 3 tool files in the scripts/tools folder of your AS installation:
Anime Studio Pro/scripts/tool/
The next bit is required if you want to use a custom tool as the DEFAULT tool. It is a piece of cake. You open the file in the "scripts/tool" folder called:
_tool_list.txt
It will list the name of the tool and the keyboard shortcut.
Below is a small portion of that file from my own setup. As you can see I have changed many of the default tools to new custom tools. Some of the originals are still in use.
You can see that there are "spacers" and "groups" to break up the tool palette. By comparing this text file to your tool palette display in AS you can see how the tools are organized.
Once I added Fazek's new tools to my tool folder I made a back up of my _tool_list.txt file and edited the original by changing the names in the list so they become the defaults. I saved this file and the next time I open AS my tools will be updated.
Code: Select all
group Draw
color 204 220 232 255
tool fa_translate_points T
tool fa_select_points G
tool fa_freehand F
tool fa_bind_points ...
tool lm_scale_points S
tool lm_rotate_points R
tool lm_add_point A
tool lm_delete_edge D
tool lm_curvature C
tool lm_magnet X
tool lm_rectangle E
tool lm_oval L
tool lm_arrow ...
tool lm_shear_points_x ...
tool lm_shear_points_y ...
tool hv_perspective_points ...
tool lm_bend_points_h ...
tool lm_bend_points_v ...
tool lm_noise N
spacer
button lm_smooth M
button lm_peak P
button lm_flip_points_h ...
button lm_flip_points_v ...
button FA_reverse_points ...
group Fill
color 232 220 204 255
tool fa_select_shape Q
tool fa_create_shape U
tool lm_line_width W
tool lm_delete_shape ...
tool lm_hide_edge H
button lm_lower_shape ...
button lm_raise_shape ...
group Bone
color 204 220 232 255
tool hv_select_bone B --- my bone selection tool - w/scrolling list.
tool lm_translate_bone Y --- changed the shortcut
tool lm_scale_bone S
tool lm_rotate_bone R
tool lm_add_bone A
tool lm_reparent_bone P
tool lm_bone_strength ...
tool lm_manipulate_bones Z
tool lm_bind_layer ...
tool lm_bind_points I
tool lm_offset_bone ...
You can also create your own groups. You can reorganize the entire tool palette if you wish. You can change or add all the keyboard shortcuts for the tools as well.
For instance there is a slight conflict with the point translation and bone translation tools with Fazek's tools. The point select also works with bones so when pressing "T" to select a bone on a bone layer you get the point translation tool which works differently. You may prefer the original bone translation tool.
I just changed the keyboard shortcut for the bone translation tool to "Y". Now I have a choice when translating bones.
Editing the tool list text file is entirely optional. You could drop new tools into the tool folder and use them from the "Other" group. Of course using the tool keyboard shortcuts will not work for the new tools if you do this.
-vern
