paramwire.disconnect troubles

[denisT]

Hey there folks, I'm having trouble with disconnecting parameter wires. I've taken this back to basics and am still struggling with it though.

I have one object's rotation that is wired to another's rotation.

Neither:
paramwire.disconnect $.rotation.controller[#Rotation_Wire]
Or:
paramwire.disconnect $.rotation.controller[#Euler_XYZ]

Work on either object, and the error I get is "** system exception**".

Am I missing something simple here? Thanks.


-- if one-way conection:
paramWire.disconnect <master>.rotation.controller
-- if two-way conection:
paramWire.disconnect2Way <one_node>.rotation.controller <another_node>.rotation.controller

paramWire connects subAnims but disconnects controllers... it doesn't make sense for me, but it's how it works.

[Mackinder]

Saved my ass again! Thanks man!

[lo]

If you ask me, the sooner you ditch parameter wiring the better. It's slow, clumsy and unstable.

[denisT]

If you ask me, the sooner you ditch parameter wiring the better. It's slow, clumsy and unstable.
what is an alternative?

[lo]

script controller, unless you positively must have 2 way linking..

[denisT]

script controller, unless you positively must have 2 way linking..
almost all script controllers are leaking badly. the wiring system is a newer than script/expression controllers, and it causes less memory leaking.

[denisT]

script controller about 2-3 times slower than wired...

[lo]

I remember conducting a test with opposite results, but I will have to test again...

[denisT]

I remember conducting a test with opposite results, but I will have to test again...

script VS wire

(
delete objects

b1 = box name:"s_target" width:10 length:10 height:10 pos:[-12,-12,0] wirecolor:yellow
b2 = box name:"s_source" width:10 length:10 height:10 pos:[12,-12,0] wirecolor:orange

sc = b1.rotation.controller = Rotation_Script()
sc.addtarget "source_rotation" b2.rotation.controller
sc.setexpression "source_rotation"

b3 = box name:"w_target" width:10 length:10 height:10 pos:[-12,12,0] wirecolor:red
b4 = box name:"w_source" width:10 length:10 height:10 pos:[12,12,0] wirecolor:brown

paramWire.connect b4.controller[#Rotation] b3.controller[#Rotation] "Rotation"

gc()
t1 = timestamp()
m1 = heapfree
for k=1 to 10000 do b1.rotation
format "script >> time:% memory:%\n" (timestamp() - t1) (m1 - heapfree)

gc()
t1 = timestamp()
m1 = heapfree
for k=1 to 10000 do b3.rotation
format " wire >> time:% memory:%\n" (timestamp() - t1) (m1 - heapfree)
)

[denisT]

script controllers are weakest link in any rig. wiring is not perfect but it's better than script.

[Ruramuq]

there is a difference in setting a value and getting a value, and how you get it
$.transform --uses the matrix already evaluated
$.rotation.controller.value --forces evaluations
$.pos = -- forces more..

which controller is evaluated could force other controllers eval.. a matrix thing..

there is difference when the user manipulates an objec vs when he plays the animation:
try your example using random slidertime ,and redundancy is lost.

there is differences in evaluations, related to the active Transform gizmo,
if I remember right, scale is the most expensive, then rotation, then translation.

there is also the issue of weak references(custom), not the one integrated inside a script_controller..

working with script controllers and evaluations is very complicated in 3dsmax
wires are faster for when the user interact with an object

I was testing. .but max crashed, ..

[Panayot]

speed, speed... is that the most important?
(for me) script controller == less troubles

[denisT]

speed, speed... is that the most important?
(for me) script controller == less troubles

for me script controller is always headache.

[Mackinder]

Seeing as this thread is already active, does anyone happen to know how to find out what's on the other end of a controller that is set-up via wire parameter?

I have some joystick controllers that are driving morph targets, that also have float_limits to lock their positions. It'd be useful to be able to find out which morph target each one (broken down into its four components: -x, +x, -y, +y) was controlling; so I can then break the connection and add a new one via MAXScript.

[denisT]

Seeing as this thread is already active, does anyone happen to know how to find out what's on the other end of a controller that is set-up via wire parameter?

I have some joystick controllers that are driving morph targets, that also have float_limits to lock their positions. It'd be useful to be able to find out which morph target each one (broken down into its four components: -x, +x, -y, +y) was controlling; so I can then break the connection and add a new one via MAXScript.
you can find wired controllers using refs.dependson and refs.dependents... in case of one-way connection refs.dependencylooptest is true in one direction and false in another.

[lo]

script VS wire

(
delete objects

b1 = box name:"s_target" width:10 length:10 height:10 pos:[-12,-12,0] wirecolor:yellow
b2 = box name:"s_source" width:10 length:10 height:10 pos:[12,-12,0] wirecolor:orange

sc = b1.rotation.controller = Rotation_Script()
sc.addtarget "source_rotation" b2.rotation.controller
sc.setexpression "source_rotation"

b3 = box name:"w_target" width:10 length:10 height:10 pos:[-12,12,0] wirecolor:red
b4 = box name:"w_source" width:10 length:10 height:10 pos:[12,12,0] wirecolor:brown

paramWire.connect b4.controller[#Rotation] b3.controller[#Rotation] "Rotation"

gc()
t1 = timestamp()
m1 = heapfree
for k=1 to 10000 do b1.rotation
format "script >> time:% memory:%\n" (timestamp() - t1) (m1 - heapfree)

gc()
t1 = timestamp()
m1 = heapfree
for k=1 to 10000 do b3.rotation
format " wire >> time:% memory:%\n" (timestamp() - t1) (m1 - heapfree)
)



excuse me I have a pipeline to rebuild :eek:

[Mackinder]

you can find wired controllers using refs.dependson and refs.dependents... in case of one-way connection refs.dependencylooptest is true in one direction and false in another.

Ah thanks! I was looking at the paramWire stuff.

So I've been looking into this and I can't just supply the same thing I've supplied for parameter creation?

refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float]

That contains my first argument for paramWire.connect but it doesn't give me the results I'd expect.

[denisT]

Ah thanks! I was looking at the paramWire stuff.

So I've been looking into this and I can't just supply the same thing I've supplied for parameter creation?

refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float]

That contains my first argument for paramWire.connect but it doesn't give me the results I'd expect.
$.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float] is subanim.
you have to ask its controller for dependents. <subanim>.controller

[Mackinder]

$.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float] is subanim.
you have to ask its controller for dependents. <subanim>.controller

Oh I see, so:

refs.dependson $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit.controller

Is what I'm after? After executing that I'm given:

#(ReferenceTarget:ParamBlock2, Controller:Float_Limit, Controller:Position_XYZ, Controller:Position_Rotation_Scale, $Circle:JoystickNameCircleController @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000], ReferenceTarget:NodeSelection, ReferenceTarget:ReferenceTarget)

I can't see anything that indicates its attachment to a morph target.

I really appreciate the help, man; you've helped me no end over the last couple of days.

[denisT]

Oh I see, so:

refs.dependson $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit.controller

Is what I'm after? After executing that I'm given:

#(ReferenceTarget:ParamBlock2, Controller:Float_Limit, Controller:Position_XYZ, Controller:Position_Rotation_Scale, $Circle:JoystickNameCircleController @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000], ReferenceTarget:NodeSelection, ReferenceTarget:ReferenceTarget)

I can't see anything that indicates its attachment to a morph target.

I really appreciate the help, man; you've helped me no end over the last couple of days.
no... you are looking again in wrong place. you have to check

refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit [#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

ps. in my code there is no space after upper_limit. it's this forum bug.

[Mackinder]

no... you are looking again in wrong place. you have to check

refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit [#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

ps. in my code there is no space after upper_limit. it's this forum bug.

Hum... that doesn't seem to work for me, I get this in the listener:

-- No ""get"" function for 5.0

[denisT]

Hum... that doesn't seem to work for me, I get this in the listener:

-- No ""get"" function for 5.0
i repeat: there is no space after ..._limit. the code is:
refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

[Mackinder]

i repeat: there is no space after ..._limit. the code is:
refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller.upper_limit[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

Aye I've not got a space.

Here's a shot of exactly how I'm executing that line:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21050664/joystickTroubles.JPG

[denisT]

well... what did you connect? show me your wire connection script.

[Mackinder]

well... what did you connect? show me your wire connection script.

Sure no problem.


paramWire.connect pickJS.object.pos.controller.X_Position.controller[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float] pickMesh.object.modifiers[#Morpher][(selectedMorph)](toExpression)



There's no space between "controller" and "[#Limi.." obviously. Also although we've just been looking at code for Y_Position this is just the first example of the connection in the script.

Thanks again man.

[denisT]

Sure no problem.


paramWire.connect pickJS.object.pos.controller.X_Position.controller[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float] pickMesh.object.modifiers[#Morpher][(selectedMorph)](toExpression)



There's no space between "controller" and "[#Limi.." obviously. Also although we've just been looking at code for Y_Position this is just the first example of the connection in the script.

Thanks again man.
so you have to ask dependents of:
pickJS.object.pos.controller.X_Position.controller[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

[Mackinder]

so you have to ask dependents of:
pickJS.object.pos.controller.X_Position.controller[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

But then goes back to returning:

#(Controller:Float_Limit, Controller:Position_XYZ, Controller:Position_Rotation_Scale, $Circle:JoystickNameCircleController @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000], ReferenceTarget:NodeSelection, ReferenceTarget:ReferenceTarget)

Which doesn't indicate any reference to the morph target. Am I missing a step here?

Cheers.

[denisT]

But then goes back to returning:

#(Controller:Float_Limit, Controller:Position_XYZ, Controller:Position_Rotation_Scale, $Circle:JoystickNameCircleController @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000], ReferenceTarget:NodeSelection, ReferenceTarget:ReferenceTarget)

Which doesn't indicate any reference to the morph target. Am I missing a step here?

Cheers.
what does refs.dependson say about the same controller?

[Mackinder]

what does refs.dependson say about the same controller?

Bugger, I was entering in the wrong position in the post before; it's actually returning:

#(Controller:Float_Wire, ReferenceTarget:ParamBlock, Morpher:Morpher, ReferenceTarget:ModApp, ReferenceTarget:DerivedObject, $PolyMesh:Teapot001 @ [-63.105194,0.000000,0.000000], Controller:Float_Limit, Controller:Position_XYZ, Controller:Position_Rotation_Scale, $Circle:JoystickNameCircleController @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000], ReferenceTarget:NodeSelection, ReferenceTarget:ReferenceTarget)

So it is now referencing the Morher, but not the slot.

If I change it to dependson then I get an empty array returned.

[denisT]

Bugger, I was entering in the wrong position in the post before; it's actually returning:

#(Controller:Float_Wire, ReferenceTarget:ParamBlock, Morpher:Morpher, ReferenceTarget:ModApp, ReferenceTarget:DerivedObject, $PolyMesh:Teapot001 @ [-63.105194,0.000000,0.000000], Controller:Float_Limit, Controller:Position_XYZ, Controller:Position_Rotation_Scale, $Circle:JoystickNameCircleController @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000], ReferenceTarget:NodeSelection, ReferenceTarget:ReferenceTarget)

So it is now referencing the Morher, but not the slot.

If I change it to dependson then I get an empty array returned.
fine! now you can ask dependents of first item of this array:Controller:Float_Wire

it has to show you some morpher controller... maybe the name of controller will say you a slot. or you can search it going throuпh all slots.

[Mackinder]

fine! now you can ask dependents of first item of this array:Controller:Float_Wire

it has to show you some morpher controller... maybe the name of controller will say you a slot. or you can search it going throuпh all slots.

Okay so...

refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller [#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

Which returns:

#(Controller:Float_Wire, ReferenceTarget:ParamBlock, Morpher:Morpher, ReferenceTarget:ModApp, ReferenceTarget:DerivedObject, $PolyMesh:Teapot001 @ [-57.893250,0.000000,0.000000], Controller:Float_Limit, Controller:Position_XYZ, Controller:Position_Rotation_Scale, $Circle:JoystickNameCircleController @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000], ReferenceTarget:NodeSelection, ReferenceTarget:ReferenceTarget)

So then I store that result in an array with:

testArray = refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

Refs.dependents testArray[1] results in:

#(ReferenceTarget:ParamBlock, Morpher:Morpher, ReferenceTarget:ModApp, ReferenceTarget:DerivedObject, $PolyMesh:Teapot001 @ [-57.893250,0.000000,0.000000])

Am I going about this the wrong way? I feel like I'm missing something here. Sorry for not grasping this better, I'm really grateful for your help.

[denisT]

Okay so...

refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller [#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

Which returns:

#(Controller:Float_Wire, ReferenceTarget:ParamBlock, Morpher:Morpher, ReferenceTarget:ModApp, ReferenceTarget:DerivedObject, $PolyMesh:Teapot001 @ [-57.893250,0.000000,0.000000], Controller:Float_Limit, Controller:Position_XYZ, Controller:Position_Rotation_Scale, $Circle:JoystickNameCircleController @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000], ReferenceTarget:NodeSelection, ReferenceTarget:ReferenceTarget)

So then I store that result in an array with:

testArray = refs.dependents $.pos.controller.Y_Position.controller[#Limited_Controller__Bezier_Float].controller

...

Am I going about this the wrong way? I feel like I'm missing something here. Sorry for not grasping this better, I'm really grateful for your help.

after you have Float_Wire controller (it's testArray[1]) you can get its slave controller:

slave = testArray[1].slaveAnimation

[Mackinder]

after you have Float_Wire controller (it's testArray[1]) you can get its slave controller:

slave = testArray[1].slaveAnimation


Hey man, cheers for continuing to help me. After asking for the slaveAnimation I'm given the result of "Controller:Bezier_Float"?

[denisT]

Hey man, cheers for continuing to help me. After asking for the slaveAnimation I'm given the result of "Controller:Bezier_Float"?
there is some misunderstanding. i don't see any block. everything is obvious.
here is how i see the picture:
#you have master wire controller
#you want to know what the master controls
#you can get slave controller
...

why is it not simple to run through all mopher's slot controllers to get the searched one?

[Mackinder]

there is some misunderstanding. i don't see any block. everything is obvious.
here is how i see the picture:
#you have master wire controller
#you want to know what the master controls
#you can get slave controller
...

why is it not simple to run through all mopher's slot controllers to get the searched one?

Oh I see! I was expecting to see a direct result from the controller itself, I didn't realise I was finding something to match. D'oh!

I don't have Max in front of me now, but I presume I'd run code that checks it something along the lines of:

if refs.dependson myObject.morpher[1].controller == slave then print "YES" else "NO"

Cheers man.

[Mackinder]

there is some misunderstanding. i don't see any block. everything is obvious.
here is how i see the picture:
#you have master wire controller
#you want to know what the master controls
#you can get slave controller
...

why is it not simple to run through all mopher's slot controllers to get the searched one?

Hey man, I got a chance to get back to this and this works a charm.

Working back from the slave I've found using ref.dependents I can then find the mesh it's working with.

Which is perfect.

Thanks again man!

:bowdown:

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