Two items here:
1) Is it possible to copy an action sequence from one action-timeline to another. I have tried opening an action in edit mode, highlight, copy. Then, go to a new layer, open action window, paste. Nothing.
Can it be done or are the relative specifics of points/bones/etc to particular?
2) As I work, various objects are created. Is there some way to copy/paste an object directly to another project/file instance? Especially a library file.
I see file>import>AS object but this requires my object to be on its own layer. There are a few steps to have this possible so I wonder if there is another way? Direct cut and paste would be ideal.
Any thoughts maestros?
transfer from one instance to another
Moderators: Víctor Paredes, Belgarath, slowtiger
There is no "library" system for AS. What you can do is import an AS file/layer into another file. It is in the import menu... Import Anime Studio Object. The only layers available for import are the TOP layers. So any layer at the top level of the layer palette can be imported. You can't pick layers inside group layers.
As for copying actions to another action, that is easy. I was stuck on this once until someone here showed me the magic. Activate the action you want to copy "to". Now right click the action you want to copy from and select "insert copy". Now you have those keys transfered. You can even copy from the main time line to an action.
Keep in mind this will only work with layers that have those actions. You can't copy actions from another layer to another layer.
-vern
As for copying actions to another action, that is easy. I was stuck on this once until someone here showed me the magic. Activate the action you want to copy "to". Now right click the action you want to copy from and select "insert copy". Now you have those keys transfered. You can even copy from the main time line to an action.
Keep in mind this will only work with layers that have those actions. You can't copy actions from another layer to another layer.
-vern
bones save
>> Import Anime Studio Object
Yes. I just thought there might be a way to bypass creating new layers and saving and importing and etc. No problem.
>> copy actions
I read another post that recommended using your save_bones script.
Would this work? I guess it assumes that the action is bone related.
The immediate case:
I am working on building different walk cycles and am considering how to build a 'library' of basic bone rigs. The stage I am at with AS, and animation generally, means that just getting a character drawn and walking is big time for me so the nuances of bounce and sway and all the wonderful stuff I have been reading in the Survival Kit will be a good while in coming. So, excuse me if my range of questions swings wildly hither and yon.
thanks - arfa
Yes. I just thought there might be a way to bypass creating new layers and saving and importing and etc. No problem.
>> copy actions
I read another post that recommended using your save_bones script.
Would this work? I guess it assumes that the action is bone related.
The immediate case:
I am working on building different walk cycles and am considering how to build a 'library' of basic bone rigs. The stage I am at with AS, and animation generally, means that just getting a character drawn and walking is big time for me so the nuances of bounce and sway and all the wonderful stuff I have been reading in the Survival Kit will be a good while in coming. So, excuse me if my range of questions swings wildly hither and yon.
thanks - arfa
I have the very same problem: I need literally hundreds of walking people. I tested AS' capabilities for handling that, so far with good results. All it takes is a little bit of discipline with naming and saving files. My workflow:
1. create a character and walk cycle in one file, and save it as my master file
2. duplicate this file and modify it.
We now have 2 files with 1 character and walk cycle each. Now I can:
3. duplicate a character, and re-calculate the file so I get a walk cycle of different speed
4. duplicate the character and modify the styles so the character gets coloured differently
5. duplicate the character, then modify or even erase the shapes to create a completely new character, but already rigged and walking.
None of these files will make it into the final render, however, I'll import the characters from whatever files I choose into the actual street scene I'm working with.
1. create a character and walk cycle in one file, and save it as my master file
2. duplicate this file and modify it.
We now have 2 files with 1 character and walk cycle each. Now I can:
3. duplicate a character, and re-calculate the file so I get a walk cycle of different speed
4. duplicate the character and modify the styles so the character gets coloured differently
5. duplicate the character, then modify or even erase the shapes to create a completely new character, but already rigged and walking.
None of these files will make it into the final render, however, I'll import the characters from whatever files I choose into the actual street scene I'm working with.
copy
Thanks for sharing the workflow slowtiger. It is good to get some idea of how people are working.
>> copy from the main time line to an action
Can't see how to do this - but see the value in being able to.
I created bone ani. keys on the main time line:
- copied them - pasted into a blank action instance. Nope.
- selected keys - click blank action - paste. Nope.
- " " - activate blank action - insert copy. Nope.
- put the kettle on - look at tree shadows. Nope.
- write this...
cheers - arfa
>> copy from the main time line to an action
Can't see how to do this - but see the value in being able to.
I created bone ani. keys on the main time line:
- copied them - pasted into a blank action instance. Nope.
- selected keys - click blank action - paste. Nope.
- " " - activate blank action - insert copy. Nope.
- put the kettle on - look at tree shadows. Nope.
- write this...
cheers - arfa
-
synthsin75
- Posts: 10278
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:20 pm
- Location: Oklahoma
- Contact:
dim
I must be a bit dim...
>> Activate action, select frame one, right-click 'Mainline', and select 'insert copy'.
I am trying to get keys from the mainline into an action - following on from heyverns "copy from the main time line to an action"
So, I have keys on the mainline.
I open the action window
right-click 'Mainline'
'insert copy' - is greyed out
I select all the keys - nope
copy/paste - nope.
What am I missing here? Duh.!
>> Activate action, select frame one, right-click 'Mainline', and select 'insert copy'.
I am trying to get keys from the mainline into an action - following on from heyverns "copy from the main time line to an action"
So, I have keys on the mainline.
I open the action window
right-click 'Mainline'
'insert copy' - is greyed out
I select all the keys - nope
copy/paste - nope.
What am I missing here? Duh.!
-
synthsin75
- Posts: 10278
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:20 pm
- Location: Oklahoma
- Contact:
In the action window, double click the action you want to copy to (this activates it for editing). Then on frame one in the action, right click the 'mainline' in the action window. Select 'insert copy'.
You must have keyframes on that layer on the mainline to see and get copied to the action. Also, the whole mainline is copied, so if the keys are further down the timeline, that's where they'll be copied to in the action.
You must have keyframes on that layer on the mainline to see and get copied to the action. Also, the whole mainline is copied, so if the keys are further down the timeline, that's where they'll be copied to in the action.