Using the Script Editor

In this chapter you'll learn how to use the Script Editor to create, modify, and organize your scripts. You'll also learn how to build hierarchical scripts, and how to work with operations and curves.

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What is a Script?

The instructions in a script can execute operations in different modules in N·World. For example, you could load and manipulate images in N-Paint, animate skeletons created in N-Geometry, and render each frame by calling N-Render.

Channels, Operations, and Curves

A channel may contain either an operation or a dynamic value.

• An operation does something to an object or an image; for example, rotating an object, writing out an image, or writing animation data are all operations.
• A curve channel contains data of some kind, typically a value, pose, or camera view; for example, a curve channel can specify how much an object should rotate, a pose for a skeleton at a given frame, or a saved camera view.

Script Hierarchy

A channel can contain one or more other channels; in such a case, the containing channel is called the parent channel, and the contained channels are called its children. Contained channels are also called subchannels or subactions.

Figure 3.1 Channels in a script

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Building a Basic Script

To show this process, let's build a simple script, one that rotates a tetrahedron around its own axis.

1. In N-Geometry, (CLICK-L) on File>New Object>Tetrahedron.

2. In N-Dynamics, (CLICK-L) on the File>Create New Script.

Call it "rotate_object".

3. (CLICK-L) on Do It.

4. Drag the slider to specify three channels for the new script:

Figure 3.3 Specifying the number of channels

Figure 3.4 Script with three parallel subactions

The script now contains three subactions-each of the blue blocks represents a different instruction.

The Edit Action Properties dialog box is displayed, as shown in Figure 3.5:

We decided early on that we wanted to rotate the tetrahedron, so let's assign the proper operation to this channel.

The operation class menu appears:

Operations are divided into modules (which roughly correspond to modules in N·World); modules are further divided into operation classes. For example, the Geometry module contains the Camera operation class. When we specify an operation, we'll use notation that reads like "(CLICK-L) on the Geometry>Camera operation."

Each operation class has a number of operations associated with it, which you can look at by clicking on the operation class. All operations are described in detail later in this manual except for those in the Skeletal Animation operation class, which are described in the Skeletal Animation System Reference Manual.

The menu of "rotation" type operations is displayed:

8. (CLICK-L) on X Rotate.

The Edit Action Properties dialog box changes, depending on the parameters N-Dynamics needs to perform the operation. For a rotation around the X axis, N-Dynamics wants you to specify the following information:

To rotate an object, you must specify what object is to be specified (Object), whether the rotation should take place around the object's local axis (Local?) or the global center, and how much it should be rotated (Angle).

A list of the objects loaded into N-Geometry is currently displayed:

10. (CLICK-L) on the object you want to animate.

In this case, choose the Tetrahedron.

In this case, let's rotate the object around its local X axis, so make sure Yes is selected. We'll specify how much we want to rotate the tetrahedron in one of the steps below.

You'll see that the first channel in the script now looks different:

The grey box, which has an inverted triangle in the upper right corner, is a curve channel. The label for the channel says [ANGLE], which tells you what the curve is controlling, and [LINEAR], which describes the type of curve used for the operation.

This opens up the curve channel so that you can look at how it regulates the operation:

14. (CLICK-M) on the curve channel to edit the curve.

The Edit Curve Properties dialog box appears:

This dialog box lets you select the type of curve you want to use to animate the object (Curve Type). You set the start and end value for the curve (Start Value and End Value) here, and have the option of changing the minimum and maximum values that can be displayed in the channel (Min Plot Value and Max Plot Value).

The curve now looks like this:

As the script executes from left to right, the angle at which the cube is rotated increases from 0 (its starting position) to 360 (its ending position).

N-Dynamics brings the N-Geometry window to the front, and animates the rotation of the tetrahedron around its own X axis. The animation process generates a one-bit recording which you can playback (as described in the section "Animate," on page 2-29 and "Playback," on page 2-32).

For playback, N-Dynamics brings the Nichimen Playback window to the front, and plays back the black-and-white recording in real time.

To save your script and the referenced objects, make sure Yes is selected for each element you want to save under the Save column:

You've now created a basic script which can be retrieved or modified and updated at a later time.

Modifying a Script

19. (CLICK-M) on the second channel in the script "rotate-object."

20. (CLICK-L) on Geometry>Rotation>Z Rotate.

Figure 3.15 Z Rotate parameters

Choose the tetrahedron and make it rotate around its local axis.

The name of the second channel changes to Z Rotate Tetrahedron.

This time, specify start and end value of 0 and 45.

The tetrahedron now rotates in two directions; around its local X axis, and around its local Z axis.

Sequential subactions are good for animating an action that you want to recur several times over the duration of the script. You might, for example, create several sequential subactions, each of which contains a walk cycle. By adding several sequential subactions, you could copy the cycle to each subaction and have the character in your animation walk over its entire length.

Sequential subactions are also good if you have several operations that you want to take place one right after another. Since the sequential subactions share a cue, dragging the cue left or right does not affect the sequence; it may stretch the channels, but the shared cue ensures that when the first action ends, the second begins.

Channel Order

Some operations, like Render or Save Canvas to File typically appear at the bottom of the script; you want to render a scene after you've moved all the objects, or save the paint canvas after you've done all the paint operations you're going to do to a scene.

The Update Skeleton operation, for example, should appear below other operations that animate the skeleton.

Notes on individual operations, and any special placement considerations for those operations, are included in "Dynamic Operations," on page 5-1.

Rotation Order

1. Make sure the script "rotate_object" is loaded into the action editor.

There should be three channels in the script: X Rotate Tetrahedron, Z Rotate Tetrahedron, and a third, Make Visible channel.

3. (CLICK-L) on Home

This clears the transformation matrix of the tetrahedron, returning it to its home position.

5. (CLICK-L) on Move.

Move the vertex at the top of the tetrahedron out and slightly to one side:

The effect of changing rotation order is easier to see on asymmetrical objects. Because you are changing the shape of the object, and not its name, you don't need to update your script.

7. (CLICK-R) on Playback.

Figure 3.17 Rotating the tetrahedron X before Z, frame 15 of 30

8. (CLICK-L) on Save Current Recording (to Memory).

Name this recording "XbeforeZ".

The Script Operations menu appears:

These operations let you manipulate the script hierarchy (adding channels, moving channels), modify time parameters for the script, open or close channels, and other miscellaneous tasks. All the commands on this menu are described in more detail in the section "The Script Operations & Action Operations Menus," on page 3-37.

The Reorder Channels menu appears, displaying a list of all channels in the script:

To reorder the channels in a script, (CLICK-L) and hold down the mouse on the channel you want to move-the text turns red. Then, drag the channel up or down to its new position.

As you drag the channel either up or down, the other channels "shuffle" to accommodate the moved channel.

The script editor updates itself automatically to reflect the new order you've specified.

13. (CLICK-L) on Animate.

Did you see the difference? Because the order in which objects are rotated is significant, moving one channel in front of the other has a visible effect on your script.

15. (CLICK-L) on Save Current Recording (to Memory).

Name this recording "ZbeforeX".

16. (CLICK-R) on Playback, then (CLICK-L) on Play any Recording.

First, play the recording XbeforeZ, then play ZbeforeX. Seeing the two close together makes it easier to see the difference.

Unused Channels in Scripts

Activating and Deactivating Channels

Try this exercise to see how deactivating a channel works:

1. Make sure the script "rotate_object" is loaded.

2. Move the cursor over the channel Z Rotate Tetrahedron.

3. (CLICK-R) on the channel.

The Action Operations menu appears:

All the commands on this menu are described in more detail in the section "The Script Operations & Action Operations Menus," on page 3-37.

4. (CLICK-L) on Deactivate.

In the script editor, the text in the deactivated channel turns black. (This command changes to Activate this Action if you (CLICK-R) on a deactivated channel.)

The X rotation is animated, but not the Z rotation.

Note. You can also use the hot key "a" to activate or deactivate a channel. Move the cursor over the channel and press the "a" key on the keyboard.

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Basic Channel Operations

Opening a Channel

To open a channel:

1. Make sure the script is open.

The channel contains lower level channels if there is a box in the upper left corner.

If the black triangle is solid, it indicates that the channel contains subchannels.

Dynamic operations and parent channels have a black rectangle in the upper right corner. (If you (CLICK-R) on this box, the channel "zooms" to fill the entire Script Editor.

Closing a Channel

If you (CLICK-L) on a close box for a parent channel, N-Dynamics remembers the state of any children channels. If, for example, you close an action, but don't close its curve, the next time you open the action, the curve will still be open.

Closing Multiple Levels

To go up to a higher level:

1. While in the lower level channel, move the cursor over the title bar.

Note that there are several boxes on its left end:

• A new box is added to the title bar for each "level" down you go in the script.
• To go back up to a specific level, (CLICK-L) on the appropriate level box. For example, to go back up to the second level, (CLICK-L) on the second colored box from the left.
• To go back up one level, (CLICK-L) on the title bar.

Copying a Channel

To copy the contents of one channel to another:

1. (CLICK-R) on the channel you want to copy.

2. (CLICK-L) on Remember.

3. (CLICK-R) on the channel you want to copy the remembered channel into.

4. (CLICK-R) on Move Here.

Note. You can also use the hot keys for remembering an element (".") and pasting it ("c").

Deleting a Channel

To delete a channel:

1. Move the cursor over the channel you want to delete.

2. (CLICK-R) on the channel, then (CLICK-L) on Delete.

To remove a channel but none of its subchannels (effectively raising the subchannels in the script hierarchy), see the section "Dissolve," on page 3-41.

Note. The hot key combination (SHIFT-D) deletes an element (either a channel or a cue).

Cutting a Channel

1. Move the cursor over the channel you want to cut.

2. (CLICK-L) on Cut this Action to cut the channel in half.

Resizing a Channel

1. Move the mouse over the beginning or end of the channel.

When the mouse is over the cue, a white box appears around the cue.

If the channel you're resizing is a curve, any data is stretched or shrunk proportionately as well.

The positions of any cues in the curve channel are also affected by resizing the channel, unless those cues are frozen. See the section "Set Freeze," on page 3-56 to learn how to freeze cues.

1. Move the mouse over the channel.

2. (CLICK-M) on the channel.

• If the channel contains an action, the Edit Action properties menu is displayed.

  
  

• If the channel contains a curve, the Edit Curve properties is displayed.

A cue might represent some numeric value in a curve (for an action like X Rotate), a camera view (for an action like Set Camera View) or a skeletal pose (for an action like Animate Pose to Pose).

Figure 3.25 Cues in a data channel

Every channel has a cue at its beginning and end (so they can be resized).

Sequential subactions (by definition) share a common cue:

Figure 3.26 Cues in sequential subactions

If you move a cue shared by two sequential subactions, both actions are affected.

Editing a Cue

To edit a cue:

Move the mouse cursor over a cue, then use the appropriate mouse button for the type of operation you want to perform:

• (CLICK-L) to drag the cue left or right in time by moving the mouse. (Note that every channel has a cue at the beginning and end, so that you can resize it by dragging the cues at either end.)
• (CLICK-M) displays the Edit Cue Parameters menu (described below).
• (CLICK-R) displays Cue Operations menu (described below).

The Adjust Parameter Value Menu

• If the cue represents a simple value, the cue can be moved in the curve editor.
• If the cue represents a complex value (such as a pose or a camera view) the cue can't be moved in the curve editor.

Editing Cues that Represent Simple Values

Figure 3.27 The Cue Operations for a cue in a curve data channel

Editing Cues that Represent Complex Values

If you (CLICK-M) on a cue that represents a complex value, such as a skeletal pose, you're prompted to select which pose should occur at that point in time:

Figure 3.28 The Cue Operations menu for an Animate Pose to Pose action

Similarly, a Camera View is a complex value; it contains an x, y, and z location for the camera, as well as rotations along each axis. Again, the complex value is represented by a single cue. If you (CLICK-M) on a cue to select a camera view, you're prompted to select either the current view in the N-Geometry window or a saved view:

Figure 3.29 The Cue Operations menu for a Set Camera View action

Cue properties may still be assigned to a cue that represents a complex value; for example, you may want to specify a type of curve treatment for a cue (such as a slow-in) when animating toward a skeletal pose. See the section "Edit Properties," on page 3-31 for more about cue properties.

Remember, the cue type can vary depending on the type of action the cue is associated with; the menu displays all the information you'll need to update the cue appropriately.

The Cue Operations Menu

To display the menu of cue operations, (CLICK-R) on a cue:

Figure 3.30 The Cue Operations menu

Each item on the Cue Operations menu is described below:

Delete

Detach from Marker

Edit Value

Edit Concurrent Cues

Freeze/Unfreeze

Figure 3.31 Frozen cue

Note. You cannot freeze a cue linked to a marker.

Link to Marker

Try the following mini-tutorial to see how the could be used:

1. Open an action that contains several parallel curves.

2. Add a marker track to the action's channel.

(CLICK-R) on the action and choose Add Marker Track from the Action Operations menu.

Color coding is on if a colored box appears around markers on the marker track.

This adds a marker without adding any additional cues.

6. (CLICK-R) on a cue and choose Link to Remembered Marker.

You may want to repeat this step several times with different cues

The associated cues move in relation to the position of the new marker. Linking multiple cues to a marker is useful if you want to move several cues at once.

A cue does not have to be directly lined up with a marker to be tied to it; any cue in the channel can be associated with a marker.

Note. There are hot keys for remembering a marker (".") and linking a cue to the remembered marker ("L").

Note. You can (CTRL-L) on a marker track to display linked markers in a color coded mode. Each marker is assigned a color, and any cues linked to that marker appear in the same color in the Script Editor.

You may also want to refer to the section "Move, Scale and Rotate [Linked]," on page 5-56 for more on linking cues to markers.

Remember

Set Time

Use Remembered Value

Figure 3.33 Copying values from one cue to another

Remembered values can be copied between channels.

Note. There are hot keys for remembering a cue (".") and pasting its value ("c").

Use Remembered Time

Figure 3.34 The Edit Cue Properties menu

Cue times can be copied between any two cues.

Note. There are hot keys for remembering a cue (".") and pasting its time ("w") (for "when").

Edit Properties

Figure 3.35 The Edit Cue Properties menu

You can specify a new angle of rotation, as well as new bias, continuity, and tension values for the cue.

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Time

• The portion of the script visible in the script editor.
• The portion of the script that will be animated by the Animate command.

Changing the Length of a Script

1. (CLICK-R) on the script length box.

Figure 3.36 Script length box

2. (CLICK-L) on Change Script Length.

The following menu appears:

3. Enter a new length for the script, using seconds or frames.

4. Specify whether subchannels should be stretched to the new script length.

When you change the length of a script, you need to specify how subchannels should be treated:

• Yes stretches or shrinks any channels proportionately to the new script length.

  
  

• No adjusts the length of the script, but does not stretch or shrink any subchannels.
  
  
  • If you stretch a script with this option, extra working space is added beyond the end of the old script.

    
    

  • If you cut a script, any channels that extended beyond the new cutoff point are cut; any information that existed beyond the cutoff point is lost.

Figure 3.38 The frame range area (including the time line)

• The Time Line indicates the portion of the script that is currently visible in the script editor window.
• The Animation Line indicates the portion of the script that is animated if you use the Animate or Playback buttons.

The first and last frame of the currently visible portion of the script are shown in the frame range area.

Viewing Part of a Script-Setting the Time Line

• (DRAG-L) moves the red line back and forth (similar to sliding a channel).
• (DRAG-M) increases or decreases the size of the red line. If you want to expand the time line to fit the entire length of the script, (DRAG-M) to the right so that the red bar expands to fit the entire script.
• (DRAG-R) moves either the start or end of the red line (similar to moving a beginning or end cue on a channel).
• (CTRL-R) displays a menu to set the frame range numerically.

Figure 3.39 The red line indicates the currently visible portion of the script

The beginning and ending frame number for the visible area of the script are also updated when you manipulate the time line.

Animating Part of a Script-Setting the Animation Line

Figure 3.40 Frame operations

1. (CLICK-L) on Change Active Frames.

The following dalog box is displayed:

2. Enter the range of frames that you want to animate.

In the example above, we specified frames 10 through 30. The white Animation Line is updated in the frame range area of the Script Editor:

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The Script Operations & Action Operations Menus

For that reason, you may notice that this menu is very similar to the Action Operations menu; this section describes the menus on both commands, since there is a good deal of overlap between the two.

To display these menus, (CLICK-R) on either the title bar (for the Script Operations menu) or a channel (for the Action Operations menu). After each command, a line indicating what type of channel the command can be performed on is included (script, any channel, action, curve, etc.).

The Curve Operations menu is described in more detail in Chapter , "Working with Curves."

Figure 3.43 Left, Script Operations menu; right, Action Operations menu

Hierarchy

Add

Lets you add parallel subactions to a channel or script. (CLICK-L) on Add to display a menu of options for adding the channels:

Figure 3.44 Adding parallel subactions

Parallel subactions are typically used to control simultaneous, independent motion of several different types. For example, an object that spins while crossing the screen requires at least two parallel subactions: one to specify horizontal motion for crossing the screen, and another to specify rotation to give the object its spin.

You can add a single action in parallel with the existing subaction(s) or you can add several subactions. When adding several subactions, you have the following options:

• You can have their start and end times concurrent with their superior (that is, they start at 0% and end at 100% of the superior).
• You can stagger their start times.
• You can stagger their end times.
• You can stagger both their start and end times.

By default, actions with staggered start and/or end times are placed evenly within the parent channel.

Note. The hot key ("s") can be used to insert parallel subactions to either the script or an action.

Add One

Figure 3.45 Adding a single subaction

Add Several

Figure 3.46 Adding several subactions

Add Several (Staggered Starts)

Figure 3.47 Adding subactions with staggered starts

Add Several (Staggered Ends)

Figure 3.48 Adding subactions with staggered ends

Add Several (Staggered Durations)

Figure 3.49 Adding subactions with staggered ends

Delete

Deletes the selected channel and any subchannels.

Dissolve

Deletes the selected action, but does not affect any subchannels of that action. You could use this to delete an action but leave its associated curve channel.

Empty

• If performed on a script, this removes any channels in the script.
• If performed on a channel, any subchannels are deleted and the operation type for the action is set to None.

Insert Parent

Inserts a parent channel above the selected channel. Inserting parent channels above an existing channel lets you group operations together into larger "chunks" that can be moved, turned on or off, or deleted altogether. The original "child" channel is moved down accordingly in the script hierarchy.

To insert a parent channel around an existing channel:

1. Move the mouse over the channel you want to Insert a Parent above.

2. (CLICK-R) on the channel.

Figure 3.50 Original channel...

3. (CLICK-L) on Insert Parent.

The new parent channel appears around the selected channel:

You might, for example, move all translation actions inside a parent channel and name it "translations" or move all your render actions inside a single render parent channel. You could then turn off all operations in the selected channel simply by deactivating the parent channel.

Move Here

Copies the channel or script last remembered (with the Remember command) into the channel under the cursor. To move a channel:

1. Move the mouse over the channel you want to move.

2. (CLICK-R) on the channel.

Let's assume that in the script below, we wanted to move channel 2 inside of channel 1:

3. (CLICK-L) on Remember.

4. Move the mouse over the channel you want to copy the channel into.

5. (CLICK-R) on the channel.

6. (CLICK-L) on Move Here.

The following dialog box is displayed:

7. (CLICK-L) on Yes.

The channel is inserted into the target channel.

Replace

Figure 3.55 Replace commands

Replace with Copy

Replaces the channel under the mouse with the action last remembered using the Remember command.

Replace with Curve

Replaces the channel under the mouse with a curve channel. Any subchannels under the selected action are deleted.

Replace with Variable

Variables can be used with the N-Dynamic Basic Functions operation class (discussed in the section "Basic Functions," on page 5-9). The use of variables is described in more detail in the N-Dynamics Tutorial.

Typically, you'll use this command to replace a curve channel under an operation with a variable defined by another channel, so that dynamics of the two actions are tied.

To replace an action with a variable:

1. (CLICK-M) on the channel that will return the variable being used, and enter the variable name to the Channel Variable field.

If you're using the value from another curve, make sure to assign the variable to the curve channel, and not its parent.

For this example, we assigned the curve channel for the Scale Octahedron channel a variable name of "var-name".

Suppose that in the script shown in Figure 3.57 we wanted to replace the curve channel for the Y Rotate Octahedron operation with the same dynamic value used for the Scale Octahedron operation, so that the scaling and rotating were linked:

3. (CLICK-R) on the channel.

4. (CLICK-L) on Replace with Variable.

Enter the variable you want to use in the dialog box that appears:

The channel operation is changed to Get Variable Value, using the variable value specified in the dialog box above:

Replace with Sequential Curves

Inserts a parent channel (named Sequential Curves) around the selected curve channel (of type Return Value). Sequential curves must be contained in a parent channel.

1. (CLICK-R) on a curve to display the following menu:

Figure 3.60 Replacing a curve with sequential curves

2. (CLICK-L) on Replace with Sequential Curves.

The following prompt appears:

3. (CLICK-L) on Yes to create the proper structure for sequential curves.

A parent channel is inserted around the selected curve. The channel has a type of Return Value, which returns the value for the curves contained in the channel.

Add Marker Track

A marker track is a special kind of channel that runs along the bottom of the selected channel or script. Marker tracks let you tie several cues in different channels to a single marker-moving the marker moves all the cues simultaneously.

You might, for example, want to add a marker track to a script that both rotates and scales an object. If you added a marker track to the script, you could insert cues in both channels that were linked to the same marker, effectively tying a given rotation and scaling action together in time.

Note. Linked cues need not be directly over the marker to which they are tied.

Note. Cues can be attached to only one marker at a time.

To add a marker track:

1. (CLICK-R) on the script or channel.

A narrow channel appears at the bottom of the selected channel, with a small triangle at the beginning and end of the channel.

For an example of how to use markers, see the section "Link to Marker," on page 3-27. Marker tracks are also described in the N-Dynamics Tutorial.

1. Move the mouse over the marker track.

2. (CLICK-L) on the track.

Cues are added to all curve channels inside the channel (even if they are at a lower point in the hierarchy.

Adding a Marker without Cues

1. Move the mouse over the marker track.

2. (SHIFT-L) on the track.

A marker is added to the track, but no new cues are created. See the section "Link to Marker," on page 3-27 to see how to link existing cues to a marker.

Moving a Marker

1. Move the mouse over the selected marker.

2. (CLICK-L) and drag the mouse left or right.

Note that any cues tied to the marker move at the same time.

Figure 3.66 Marker operations

Delete this Marker

To delete a marker:

1. Move the mouse over the selected marker.

2. (CLICK-R) on the marker.

From the menu that appears, select Delete this Marker.

This operation lets you edit the value of all cues that occur at the same time as this marker. If you choose this option, associated cues are highlighted, and sliders appear in any channels for which concurrent cues exist:

Figure 3.67 Editing concurrent cues

To change the value for any

• (DRAG-L) on the slider in any channel for which you wish to change the value
• (SHIFT-L) on the slider and drag to change the cue value and continuously update the N-Geometry window
• (CLICK-M) to display the Adjust Parameter Value menu
• (CLICK-R) to display a menu of cue operations

Remember this Marker

N-Dynamics remembers both the time and value in the selected marker.

Use Remembered Time

You must have used the Remember command to use this command on a marker. After remembering the time associated with a marker, use this command to copy the time to cues in similar channels.

Use Remembered Values

You must have used the Remember command to use this command on a marker. After remembering the values associated with a marker, use this command to copy the values to cues in similar channels.

Add Others

Add Others>Sequential Actions

Motions defined in sequential subactions follow one another; they are executed from left to right. The cues between sequential subactions are shared so that one ends at exactly the same time another begins. This means that the cue's parameter value is the same at the end of one sequence as it is at the beginning of the next. (Although the cues between the new subsequences can be moved as required.)

Add Others>Parallel Curves

Adds a parallel channel, containing a curve, at the bottom of the selected script or action.

Add Others>Derived Curve

Derived curves are created based on values found in other curves within the channel. Suppose, for example, that you want to create a curve by multiplying the values in two other curves; that third curve is a derived curve.

To see an example of a derived curve:

1. Create a sample script.

2. Add a channel of type Dynamics>Basic Functions>Multiply.

The Multiply channel opens with two curve channels.

4. Edit the second curve channel so that it starts at 1 and ends at 0.

The script editor should look something like this:

5. (CLICK-R) on the multiply channel.

6. (CLICK-L) on Add Others>Derived Curve.

A derived curve appears below the other two curves, within the multiply channel:

7. (CLICK-R) on the derived curve channel, then (CLICK-L) on Recompute Derived Curve.

8. Open the derived curve channel.

It should look something like this:

The derived curve can now be copied to other curve channels, or inserted into another parent channel.

Note also that you can modify the channels used to generate the derived curve, then choose Recompute Derived Curve again. If you delete any of the channels used to generate a derived curve, it can no longer be generated; for that reason, you may want to deactivate a curve (using the Curve Operations menu) rather than delete it altogether.

Add Others>Imported Curve

Loads previously saved curve data into the selected channel.

Figure 3.71 Adding an imported curve

• Directory is the directory in which the curve data is stored.
• Name is the name of the file containing the curve data.
• Frame specifies how many frames of curve data are in the file.
• Channels specifies how many channels of curve data are in the file.
• Header specifies whether or not the curve data file has a header line on it.

A sample curve data file might like this:

Description: X-Rotation Y-Rotation Z-Rotation

1.0,1.1,1.2

1.2,1.3,1.4

1.4,1.5,1.6

1.6,1.7,1.8

Add Others>Sequential Curves

Adds one or more sequential curves inside of a channel.

Cut

Cuts the selected subaction half, making two smaller subactions. This command is useful for adding subactions to the same level in the script.

Time

Slide

Sliding an action moves the entire channel left or right.

Extend Curves

Extend each curve in the selected channel so that it matches the length of the parent channel. The curve is extended by adding another cue at the end of the channel with the same value as the previous end cue:

Figure 3.72 Top, original curve; bottom, after extending

If you choose this operation for a script, all curves in all channels are extended; if you use it on a single channel, only the curves in the selected channel are extended.

When you choose this command, the following menu is displayed:

Figure 3.73 Extending curves

• Extend Start extends any affected curve channels so that its start matches the start point of its parent channel.
• Extend End extends any affected curve channels so that its end matches the end point of its parent channel.
• Extend Both extends the beginning and end of the curve channel.

Set Freeze

Freezes or unfreezes the cues. Resizing channels or adjusting the script length has no effect on the position of frozen cues.

When you freeze cues, they are highlighted in a light blue color; unfrozen cues are black.

• For a curve channel, all cues in the channel are frozen.
• For an action or a script, the following menu is displayed:

Figure 3.74 Freezing or unfreezing cues in an action or script

You can freeze or unfreeze the cues in only the selected channel or for all subchannels in the selected channel as well.

Note. The hot keys "f" and "F" can be used to freeze and unfreeze cues respectively.

Set Timeline

Changes the timeline to fit the amount of time contained in the current channel. To set the timeline:

1. Move the cursor over the channel to set the timeline from.

2. (CLICK-R) on the channel.

The timeline is adjusted so that only the portion of the script defined by the selected channel is displayed in the script editor. This command is useful if you only want to see the portion of the script that takes place while the selected channel is active.

Note. The hot key "T" can be used to fit

the timeline to the selected channel.

Other Script Operations

Activate/Deactivate

Activate/Deactivate this Action toggles the status of the selected channel. You can tell whether a channel is active or inactive by looking at the color of the text in the channel:

• The text in active channels is white.
• The text in inactive channels is black.

See the section "Activating and Deactivating Channels," on page 3-17 for more about making channels active or inactive.

Remember

When copying an action from one channel to another, you need to "remember" it. This command copies the action into memory. See the section "Move Here," on page 3-42.

Recompute Derived Curve

Forces the selected derived curve to be recomputed. You can choose this command by clicking on either the channel containing the derived curve, or directly on the derived curve.

For more information on how to use derived curves, see the section "Add Others>Derived Curve," on page 3-52.

Set All Operations

Assigns an action to all the subactions of the selected action. This is useful, for example, if you have created several subactions (either parallel or sequential) that you want to do the same thing.

To assign an operation:

1. Move the cursor over the action whose subactions you want to set.

2. (CLICK-R) on the channel.

3. (CLICK-L) on Set Subaction Operations.

The Select Operation Class menu appears. Choose the operation class, then the operation you want to assign to any subchannels.

Untrace All

As described on page 5-4, you can trace the current value of a given channel, watching its progress in the LISP listener window.

This command turns off all tracing for either the selected action or script.

Copyright © 1996, Nichimen Graphics Corporation. All rights reserved.