More scripting features...

[heyvern]

I was just thinking that there are a TON of new features that we the users could create using the scripting available in ASP.

A couple of additions:

More access to the interface
Like changing or modifying the time line, layer palette or style palette.

Storage for script settings in the file
A way to save file specific settings for scripts. If a script modifies a bones behavior or animation properties that are unique for each file the only way to save that info is to write to an external text file and then read it back in. It would be very useful to have a way of storing this info INSIDE the file itself. When the file is loaded those variables or settings could be read into the script variables.

For instance the physics layer scripts I am working on. If I could store these values in the file there would be no need for special naming of bones or using other bones to change the values. The layer script would load in these values that were set. If they values don't exist then default values would be used.

-vern

[Genete]

Partial text of a PM I sent to LM in august:

1) Could it be possible in future releases insert a non linear constraints between bones and between different bones properties? I mean in terms of current internal program definition, or would it need a complete refurbish of the bones concept?
2) It could be cool that a new release of Moho script reference help were published. It seems that there are some features not documented and some others not properly described. Could it be possible for future release? (not the update)

His reply:

Hi Carlos,

Yes, I suppose non-linear constraints could be possible in a future version. It's not something I've heard requested before, so right now it isn't a high priority. Can you give me some specific examples of what you want to do?

I have no plans right now to update the script reference. It's pretty close to complete, even if many of the functions have very short descriptions. If there's something you want to do, but don't see in the documentation, you can always look at the existing script files.

-Mike

-G

[Genete]

I have been working with syfig lately and it already have non linear linking between any compatible object parameter. For the moment there are only a few of them (exponential, sine, add, subtract, linear, time swap, scale,...) but soon more to come.
With those ability to link different parameters to other of other objects this could be easily done:

http://www.darthfurby.com/genete/synfig ... bline2.avi

It connects the rotation of the arrow with the tangent (variable with the time and position) of the bline. Also the position is controlled by a parameter. The parameter of the position of the arrow can be automatically converted to a function of the time or simply manipulated by the user.
¿Can you do this with Anime Studio? I think you need scripting or internal non linear constraints.

If non linear constraints were allowed to bones for any of the defining parameters then this kind of combinations could be easily done.

That was only a feature show. Imagine what can be done on wise hands...

[bupaje]

Is it possible to store stuff in a Note layer?

[rylleman]

Is it possible to store stuff in a Note layer?

You can't write to a note-layer from a script. Which is a big pity, it would open up a lot of possibilities if you could.

[heyvern]

Oh baby I tried that first thing!

I was going to try and use note layers for lip sync in AS. I was going to read the dialog text from a papagayo file and have it "change" the the note text to match the dialog as you scrubbed through the animation.

I looked everywhere.. nothing. No way to script the text in a note layer... unless... you want to fart around with the actual file format...

... not going there.

I did have a crazy idea I haven't tested yet. It would mean trying to... use a part of the file format that wouldn't be "read" by AS. This would involve figuring out how where in the file format there might be a "dead zone". Some kind of text that could be hidden from the application but could be read into a script directly from the file.

This would be similar to how certain web browsers will ignore things they don't understand.

I don't think it will work but it's worth a try anyway.

This is actually the basis of the feature request. A user "area" in the file format. For notes or comments. I wonder if there is a way to comment out stuff in the AS file format?

-vern

[bupaje]

I'm just throwing ideas into the wind here as I haven't tried scripting with AS but for very small amounts of data could you create a 'Data' Group and use the name property of empty vector layers in that group folder to store some values?

[heyvern]

I'm just throwing ideas into the wind here as I haven't tried scripting with AS but for very small amounts of data could you create a 'Data' Group and use the name property of empty vector layers in that group folder to store some values?

I've thought of doing that... but... it bothers me to have critical information stored in something that isn't "normal" or appropriate for the data that the user could accidentally delete.

Like those stories you hear about people hiding large amounts of cash inside their ovens. One day they forget and turn on the oven and burn up all their money.

I would prefer to store information like this where no one can see it or get to it.

The frustrating bit is that there IS something like this available... sort of... but it is only for the script itself. You can write preferences for a SCRIPT but not for each file that uses the script. It is stored at the application level.

I had thought of appending individual FILE prefs into the script prefs... but... that seems to be a bit much... and what if the file gets moved? Or you reinstall or update ASP? You could lose ALL the settings for a whole bunch of files.

-vern