The Scripts menu contains commands that are provided by script files or plug-ins. Moho includes several scripts for a variety of different tasks, and you can also download more scripts written by other Moho users. These scripts are all written in the Lua programming language - if you're interested in creating your own scripts, feel free to examine the scripts in the scipts/menu sub-folder in the Moho program folder.
The scripts in this menu are divided into several sub-menus, according to their function:
The scripts in this menu are used to create or manipulate 3D models.
Creates a new 3D layer that contains a simple cube. The color of the cube is determined by the current fill and line colors.
Rotates the current 3D layer 90 degrees around the X axis. This can be useful when importing a 3D model if the model's "up" direction is not the same as Moho's - just use this command (and the other rotate commands) to align the model properly.
Rotates the current 3D layer 90 degrees around the Y axis.
Rotates the current 3D layer 90 degrees around the Z axis.
Creates a new 3D layer that contains a simple torus (donut). The color of the torus is determined by the current fill and line colors.
These scripts are used to move the camera around and to create camera-related effects.
Adds noisy interpolation to the camera animation channels to simulate a handheld camera.
Adds animation to the camera to cause it to rotate around the current scene. You can specify how long this should take, how far out the camera should be, and the direction of rotation.
These scripts can be used to create vector objects in Moho.
Draws a polygon shape in either the current vector layer, or a new layer. Uses the current fill and line colors to color the polygon.
Draws a star shape in either the current vector layer, or a new layer. Uses the current fill and line colors to color the star.
Draws a triangle in the current vector layer. Uses the current fill and line colors to color the triangle.
Scripts that don't fit any other category can be found here.
This script looks for points in a vector layer that line up with one another, but that aren't welded. It then tries to weld these points together. This can be useful when importing some types of vector files from other programs.
This script can be used to create lists of credits, or other screens of text. The script will prompt you to select a text file containing the text you want to use. In the text file, each "screen" of text should be separated by a blank line. Take a look at the file "sample_credits.txt" in the Moho program folder to see how this text file should be set up.
Causes a trailing line to be drawn that follows the movement of the current layer. Be sure that the layer actually has some movement, or this script will appear to do nothing.
These scripts can be used to create particle effects like smoke, fire, or rain. Many of these effects can be time-consuming to render, so be aware of that if you plan to use several of them in a single animation. Also, even though they can be exported to Flash, these effects can be too complex for the Flash player to play at full speed. Plus, without the blur effects these scripts use, they won't look very good in Flash. These effects are really useful only if you plan to export to a movie or still image format, not Flash.
Creates a blobby glowing cloud effect.
Creates an explosion effect. The explosion starts at the current frame, and will fade to a smoke cloud over time.
Inserts a falling rain effect.
Inserts a plume or cloud of smoke.
Creates a falling snow effect.
Inserts a cluster of spiraling sparkles. This effect is very effective if you bind it to another moving object - for example, the end of a magic wand.
This menu contain utility scripts that can be used as examples for writing your own scripts. If you don't plan to write your own scripts, you can completely ignore this menu.
Demonstrates how a script can use an alert box to provide some information to the user.
This script intentionally creates a runtime error. The purpose is to show how the Lua Console appears to display the error. When you write your own scripts, the console window will be very helpful when tracking down errors.
This script is a demonstration of how a Lua script can read data from an external file. It doesn't do anything useful itself, but it could be used as a starting point if you wanted to write a script to import some kind of custom data.
Prints out all global variables currently defined in Lua.
Prints out all functions, constants, and global variables that Moho provides through its scripting interface. This is not meant to be the documentation for Moho's scripting interface, but some script writers may find it useful.
A simple example that shows how you can print output in a Lua script. The printed output will appear in the Lua Console window. Printing data in the console window is not generally useful when your script is delivered to regular Moho users, but can be very helpful when writing a script to track down bugs.
The scripts in this menu use sound to control some part of an animation.
This script uses the volume of a sound file that you select to animate the angle of the currently selected bone. Use this script to make a character or object move in sync with a sound.
These scripts affect the visibility of a layer - for example, causing it to fade in and out.
Causes the current layer to fade in or out over a specified number of frames. If you want a layer to appear or disappear suddenly, it is better to change the value of the layer's visibility channel. However, this script should be used when you want a layer to appear or disappear more gradually.
This script combines the Fade effect above with the Wavy effect below. It can only be used with vector layers.
This set of scripts is used to distort the contents of a vector layer, applying various animated warping effects.
Causes the selected points in a vector layer to swirl around in an inward spiral motion towards the origin point of the layer.
Causes the selected points in a vector layer to move in a wavy or underwater style.