Custom Attributes

[PEN]

Have a look at this tutorial on my site "Calling Custom Attributes from Script Controllers:", one of the first things that I do is create a ca def and add it to an object.

[_stev_]

I checked out the tutorial. Thanks, that helped me understand this stuff a little better. But if I want something besides a function in the definition, how how is that done? I want an attribute on an object I can use in an expression on another controller, or use manually in the interface.

Thanks for the tutorial PEN.

Stev

[PEN]

This should help you out. Run the script to see what it all does.



--Make some objects and add a blank modifier to the box
b=box()
s=sphere()
eM=emptyModifier()
addModifier b eM

--Create the defintion for the custom attribute
def=attributes testAttrib
(
--Parameter block to store the tracks of animation
parameters testP rollout:testR
(
--A track of animation
--Look under scripted plugins for the types that can be used.
animationTrack type:#float UI:mySpinner
)
--The rollout that will show up in the modifier panel.
rollout testR "test"
(
--The spinner that is connected to the animationTrack
spinner mySpinner "My Spinner"
)
)

--Add the definition to the emptyModifier
custAttributes.add eM def

--As a test wire the radius of the sphere to the param block 2 track.
paramWire.connect eM.testAttrib[#animationTrack] s.baseObject[#radius] "animationTrack"

max modify mode
select b

[_stev_]

Right on! That was exactly what I needed. Thanks so much.

Stev

[Chinwagon]

er... can I just jump on the back of this thread to ask a question (or two)?
Why don't custom attributes made through maxscript ever show up in the parameter editor? Is there a way of constructing CAs in maxscript that do show up in it?
:¬)

[PEN]

CA's dont show up in PE because one they don't have the right name, I think that it needs to be "custom_attributes" and also you need to provide it with defData that if formated correctly.

You need this defData because in Max you can't query a parameter for what UI item it is connected to so you can't get things like the range of a spinner. You need to store this data in defData in the right format. Rip open parameterEditor to find out what the format is.

[_stev_]

Hey PEN,

After doing the tuts on your website, I'm interested in using script controllers or exressions to achieve secondary motion mathmatically not dynamically. I looked at a script on Comet's site that does this, but you have to "bake" the animation. I'm looking for something that updates interactively. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks again,
Stev

[PEN]

Well the spring controller already does this. Trying to do it in Max script would be slow I would think. I haven't really tried, I have looked at doing it but I have never followed through thinking that it wouldn't be worth it.

Bobo, do you have anything to say on this?

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