Animated shape order

[Onionskin]

Hi to all,

I made this video with animated shape order using switch layers.
Switch layers support bones, and bones affects on every layer in it, so I just duplicate vector layer with model and change only shape order of each.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntZ9qQyHG6s


Well, like most of you guys here I would be so happy to have "animated shape order script". I know that was already discussions on forum, but cant help my self.


My next request is script for switch layer which allows certain layer to be immune from switching. Imagine that in my sample you can attached some layer on bone, (doesn't matter witch one group, bone, switch...) for head or hands, and during switching that specified layers are always visible.


And one more thing, some tool for selecting several shapes and move them up and down together, not one by one like now, it will be great to move them like group, group shape ordering



something like this

Thank you!

[super8mm]

Switch layers support bones?!

Why didn't anybody tell me?

Holy crap!


However, to be on subject I have no idea what a "animated shape order script" would do. Can someone explain what the script would do?

[Onionskin]

I have no idea what a "animated shape order script" would do. Can someone explain what the script would do?

Like animated layer order just with shapes in one layer. To raising and lowering shapes during animation

[super8mm]

I see!

That would be like having "select shape" in the timeline.

[Onionskin]

Imagine model in my video only on one layer crossing legs, putting arms behind body, than in the front

[Víctor Paredes]

Actually, there is a script to animate shape order based on bones positions. You can see it on Genete's scripts, it's named "ANIMATED SORT SHAPES BASED ON BONES POSITION", search for it on the first post:
viewtopic.php?p=46299

I recommend you to take a look on all Genete's scripts. There are some very cool ideas there.

[Onionskin]

Thanks Selgin,

I'm already try that script, but it's to complicate cause of to many bones, for each shape-one bone, and name for every bone also. I looking for something simplest

[Víctor Paredes]

Anyway, have you tried animating layer order instead shapes?
I know it's not the best solution on many cases, nevertheless it's a fantastic feature.

[super8mm]

My next request is script for switch layer which allows certain layer to be immune from switching. Imagine that in my sample you can attached some layer on bone, (doesn't matter witch one group, bone, switch...) for head or hands, and during switching that specified layers are always visible.

You can implement that with the Mike Green script when used in the fashion I used it in the example from this thread:

viewtopic.php?p=87515#87515

The layers below the switch follow the rig of the switch but do not switch. In the example the eyes follow the rig unswitched.

[Onionskin]

Thanks guys!

[rogermate]

Hi Onionskin,

Watching your link, I looked at your other youtube postings, and am really interested in your feature: "arm bend.mp4"

But there is much I don't understand. First, what are all of those tools?
It seems you have some shapes which have outlines that appear to auto-mask themselves.

Could you elaborate on that magic?

[Onionskin]

rogermate

in "arm bend.mp4" I used SynthSin75 technique. for that you don't need to have any special scripted tool. I use lots of fazek tools, but for this is not necessary. important is to fill your shape with paint bucket tool only stroke first, then fill. watch video again, in beginning is simple demonstration of that with two circles. try to do this, then you will figure it out.

regards!

[heyvern]

If you are interested, I have a script that is based sort of on layer ordering.

One trick to change layer order is to use the z translation of a layer. I used a script to change the z translation of layers based on a bones position. I used this to move arms/legs in front and behind the body for turns.

Using z translation to change layer order was the trick used before we had animated layer order. I still use the z axis because you can't script layer order which is what I need. AUTOMATIC layer order changes. Easy to apply layer order keys. Layer order is "funky" in how it works and you can screw up an entire animation if you change layers around or delete them. I like changing layer order totally independently of where the layer actually is in the layer palette.

------------------

Shape ordering is VERY VERY TRICKY and almost impossible to script. Genete's script is the best solution so far but as was mentioned, is based on bones. You need a bone for every shape which can be a pain for large projects.

-vern

[Onionskin]

heyvern,

I am interested for that layer ordering script

[rogermate]

rogermate

important is to fill your shape with paint bucket tool only stroke first, then fill. watch video again, in beginning is simple demonstration of that with two circles. try to do this, then you will figure it out.

regards!

OK. Apparently you must create the "shapes" at the same time, and fill them at the same time.

I think I understand it now. What I think is happening, is that the two circles are actually not shapes yet when you first create them, but are just some connected points. I recall someone explaining once that a shape can have more than one connected region and they need not be connected. That is how a donut can be made.

So, when using the fill tool, I'm guessing that it is creating the two "regions" into one shape. Thus, AS is doing the hard work of figuring out which line on the outskirt of a region to use.

I had no idea of the subtlety to shapes. Maybe I need to redo my AS5 companion tutorial book. I'm trying to think now of all the ways I could use this in the future, or should have in the past.

I think the music in your tutorial really gave it the mood of a magic trick.

Thanks for all the sharing that you do.

By the way, I often try to read Synthsin's contributions. Where did he talk about this particular technique?