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too...many...scripts....

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:29 am
by synthsin75
Last night I actually dreamed about scripting. I kept thinking that it was pointless, as this work wasn't getting 'written down' anywhere real. But then it lulled me into believing it was.

I think I need some help. I've got at least three scripts that I am working on at pretty much the same time. I'm having some trouble prioritizing and focusing on finishing just one of them. So I figured I'd post a summary of each and see what you guys think is most needed.

1) The new 'select layer' script. This one's a bear, but coming along very well. It will allow for layer selection by visible vector or bone element throughout the entire document. If you can see it, you can select that layer by clicking it.

2) Easy switch layer button. A simple button script that would assign the currently selected layer as 'active' in the switch no matter how far it may be buried in nested switch, group, or bone layers. It'll make every necessary switch active, all the way up the parent layer chain.

3) Hotkeys script. This one is highly experimental at this point, but it could vastly expand the number of available shortcuts in AS. You would use the normal, unmodified shortcuts to select a 'tool group' (draw, fill, etc), and then a modified key (ALT+) to select the actual tools.


Or you can just let me know that you're not going to enable my procrastination, and I should just get them all done. :wink:

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:49 am
by heyvern
1 and 3. 1 first then 3.
3 is important for OTHER scripters as well. Sounds like a great idea.
2 doesn't excite me all that much since I hardly use switches and never use nested switches.

I don't want to stifle inspiration but I've become a tad nervous doing anything that changes the interface radically (like key commands or selecting layers) since there may be some (hopefully) new features and scripting features in any upcoming version. Just a thought.

-vern

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:00 am
by DK
Number 1 sounds EXTREMELY usefull sythnsin75.

BTW
I love your short desriptive tag
If you can see it, you can select that layer by clicking it.
These are descriptions are sooo needed with these scripts. I don't know how many scripts I've looked with a glaze wondering what the heck it was for or how it can be implemented in AS.
Just my two cents ;)

Cheers
D.K

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:17 am
by synthsin75
Thanks guys, that helps. Got ... to ..focus.... :roll:

Yeah Vern, 2 is just a simple one. Probably the easiest to finish, but yeah, not thrilling. That sounds good. 1 and then 3 with 2 as a long 3rd.

I've had some doubts about how much of this work may be 'undone' by version 6, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that MC will do his best to retain backwards compatibility.

Although I often wonder if he raids our scripting for ideas. :wink:

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:44 am
by heyvern
synthsin75 wrote:
Although I often wonder if he raids our scripting for ideas. :wink:
Oh dear GOD I hope so! ;)

-vern

Re: too...many...scripts....

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:50 am
by rylleman
synthsin75 wrote:...
2) Easy switch layer button. A simple button script that would assign the currently selected layer as 'active' in the switch no matter how far it may be buried in nested switch, group, or bone layers. It'll make every necessary switch active, all the way up the parent layer chain.
...
I've already created a script doing exactly this.
viewtopic.php?t=11712&highlight=switch

or do you mean select the current active switch? Did one for that as well.
viewtopic.php?t=11718&highlight=switch

To go back up to the parent layer from a selected switch child use my select layer tool.
viewtopic.php?t=3720&highlight=switch

Oh, reading your post again I see you mean for this to work as a chain. I think it should be fairly easy to add this feature to my first script. I'll see if I can get some time to do it.

We really need a script repository...

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:36 pm
by synthsin75
Yeah, I meant to ask if something like that one already existed. Like I said, it should be pretty easy. :wink: