Re-order a list of actions

[benecosse]

I've created many actions for a character but now I'd like to re-order these actions in the list (in the ACTIONS PANEL).
So that I can have all the 'eye poses' together and all the 'mouth poses' together. I created them at different times so they are difficult to find quickly.
I can't seem to see where I can drag them up and down (like in the LAYERS PANEL)

Is it possible to do?

[Víctor Paredes]

Sorry, I think actions can't be reordered.
Maybe you should post it on feature requests.

[benecosse]

Ok, I'll do that, thanks.

[heyvern]

I don't know exactly where they are but you can reorder the actions in the AS file itself in a text editor. I think I did this a few times in older versions.

Also, there was a script I created a while ago that would allow you to insert actions using a key command. I think it even created a menu for them but it's been a while since I used it. I don't use actions that much lately. I have to check it and see if that script still works in 6/7.

-vern

[benecosse]

I don't use actions that much lately.

I'm trying to design a character that can be quickly posed and animated, facial features, head turns etc. If you don't use actions that much what do you recommend, Vern? Do you rig all elements with bones (eyes etc) so you can access then quickly in the drawing area? And is there any scripts you can direct me to that makes animating quicker once everything is set up.(dials) Actions seem good but you don't get realtime quick results and morph poses seems a bit tricky with the panel having to be closed each time.

[hothead]

Hey vern i would like to know too how you rig a character since you dont use switch nor action. I delete asp7 because switch interp. dont work . Any pro here can answer.

[heyvern]

Uh... I don't use actions that much.... because I'm lazy. I probably should use actions more. I could save time by using actions more but they always felt a bit awkward and difficult to insert. That is why I created that script so I could just insert actions using key commands. To be honest I tend to just "animate". I just move along pose to pose and animate. I also do a lot of copy/paste of keys instead of using actions.

I do use bones almost entirely, exclusively for nearly everything. I love the "2.5D" head rig I created and hate to use much else for "traditional" characters. Entirely bones for everything, including eyes, mouth. There's a sample of it in the included content (technician).

That rig is easy for me to animate faces very quickly. ALL of the animation for a head is done on one layer with bones. I don't have to bounce around to different layers to animate eyes, change switch layers for a mouth or head turns etc etc. I can animate everything in one spot and it gives me a lot of creative freedom. Since all of the animation is done entirely with bones it is something I SHOULD save actions for but sometimes don't. I do use actions for lip sync phonemes and using Papagayo.

The switch interpolation bug in version 7 is pretty bad. It needs to be fixed ASAP. I have no workarounds and I do use some interpolated switches in some of my files. To be honest it hasn't been as much of a hardship for me as it is for others. I have been moving away from interpolated switch layers for animation stuff that is "very visible" like head turns because interpolated siwtches are "linear". Head turns done with switch layers are very "flat" and mechnical looking because they are linear, no easing. Without even a smooth interpolation it's hard to use it for more than quick turns. You can't use ease or adjust the movement smoothly. It's too mechanical. Also switches are very limited and very time consuming to get a lot "variety".

I mainly use switch layers for hands and feet to turn them from side to side. The linear transitions are not as noticeable for those things but is still effected by the switch bug.

As far as scripts go... nothing specific that would replace or make character creation easier. I use a "dedicated" script for my head rig. It's targeted to control specific bones in that rig only.

I use a lot of scripts for other purposes mostly tools and such to make creating things easier.

-vern

[benecosse]

There's a sample of it in the included content (technician).... I do use actions for lip sync phonemes and using Papagayo.-vern

Thanks Vern for directing me to your Technician rig. Very impressive and detailed! I'm intrigued as to how you can use actions with Papagyo?
I use Papagyo and love the results but thought I could only using it by importing the data file to a SWITCH layer. (which I avoid now due to the interpolation bug)
I've looked at a bone layers menu option and can't see how I can assign actions of phonemes to it?

Also, after further investigation RE 'Action Key shortcut script', I've noticed that ASpro V7 now as an option to assign a 'Shortcut key' to an action upon creation. Although I can't seem to get it to work Nothing in the manual about how to use these shortcuts. Do I have to hold shift + something then press the assigned number/ letter.
I created an action assigned to letter 'P' and another on '1' but it doesn't seem to respond either.

[Víctor Paredes]

Maybe this thread could help with the heads
viewtopic.php?t=16448

[benecosse]

thanks for the previous tip, Slegin.

I managed to re-order the action in the list in ASpro7 using Verns advice.

If anyone else is interested in doing it..here's workaround.
I opened the .anime file in Wordpad and then did a search for one of my action ie. 'left eye left turn' and found the part in the AS file where all my actions were listed. I then cut/pasted the lines of script to the desired order. I had to have to do it in 3 separate list of actions in the text file.

[benecosse]

I'd still like to know how experienced users are using phonemes (and papagyo .dat files) with mouth 'actions' in bone layer as apposed to separate mouth 'shapes' in switch layer.

Do you just create a basic switch layer that 'switch' mouth shapes to the dat file (rather than interpolates) and then manually match the mouth 'actions' on the bone layer using the 'blend morphs?

It would be great if the Papagyo .dat could somehow work with the phonemes (actions) in a bone layer, especially on longer audio projects.

[heyvern]

There is a script that uses actions instead of switch layers for importing dat files from papagayo.

viewtopic.php?t=2424

Scroll down towards the bottom and look for the big linked "HERE" text.

This menu script allows you to select a dat file which will use named actions instead of using a switch layer. Works very well.

-vern

[Víctor Paredes]

There is a script that uses actions instead of switch layers for importing dat files from papagayo.

viewtopic.php?t=2424

Scroll down towards the bottom and look for the big linked "HERE" text.

Oh... that Here text is already mythical

[benecosse]

thanks, this is really helpful