KeyframeSelection on Materials?

Helper

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On 24/01/2012 at 14:03, xxxxxxxx wrote:

You guys did good on my previous keyframe selection question. So lets see how good you really are.
Is it possible to use keyframe selections inside of materials?

There's no DA_COLOR in the sdk so I tried DTYPE_COLOR.
In C++ we have to use DTYPE_COLOR for the type when accessing color values. Not VECTOR. I'm not sure if that holds true with python or not:

import c4d  
  
def main() :  
  mat = doc.GetFirstMaterial()  
  
  color = c4d.DescLevel(c4d.MATERIAL_COLOR_COLOR, c4d.DTYPE_COLOR, what goes here?)  
  id = c4d.DescID(color, c4d.DescLevel(c4d.VECTOR_X, c4d.DA_REAL, c4d.DA_VECTOR)) #Red channel  
  mat.SetKeyframeSelection(id, True)  
  
if __name__=='__main__':  
  main()

Even If manually create a keyframe selection by right clicking on the red color channel and selecting it from the list of pop up options. It doesn't record with the record button.
Is it possible that it's not something supported... even in the C++ API?

-ScottA

Helper

THE POST BELOW IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION MIGHT BE OUTDATED OR DEPRECATED

On 25/01/2012 at 02:10, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi,

Here's how to keyframe select the color of a material:

import c4d
  
def main() :
    mat = doc.GetFirstMaterial()
    
    color = c4d.DescLevel(c4d.MATERIAL_COLOR_COLOR, c4d.DTYPE_COLOR)
    id = c4d.DescID(color)
    mat.SetKeyframeSelection(id, True)
    
    c4d.EventAdd()
  
if __name__=='__main__':
    main()

And I've been able to manually keyframe a material from green to red but we have to add the keyframe on the color. It seems not possible to animate R, g and B channels separately.

EDIT:
I had not seen we can show the color sub-channels...
So here's the code to keyframe select R color chanel:

import c4d
  
def main() :
    mat = doc.GetFirstMaterial()
    
    color = c4d.DescLevel(c4d.MATERIAL_COLOR_COLOR, c4d.DTYPE_COLOR)
    id = c4d.DescID(color, c4d.DescLevel(c4d.VECTOR_X, c4d.DTYPE_REAL))
    mat.SetKeyframeSelection(id, True)
    
    c4d.EventAdd()
  
if __name__=='__main__':
    main()

And don't forget to call c4d.EventAdd(). I was searching why it wasn't working for some time when I remembered we had to call EventAdd() looking at the bend size keyframe script .

Helper

THE POST BELOW IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION MIGHT BE OUTDATED OR DEPRECATED

On 25/01/2012 at 06:14, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Here is a script that keyframes an animation to a material color from black to white:

import c4d
  
  
def main() :
    mat = doc.GetFirstMaterial()
    
    color = c4d.DescLevel(c4d.MATERIAL_COLOR_COLOR, c4d.DTYPE_COLOR)
    
    fps = doc.GetFps()
    minFrame = doc.GetMinTime().GetFrame(fps) # Get min time
    maxFrame = doc.GetMaxTime().GetFrame(fps) # Get max time
    
    channels = (c4d.VECTOR_X, c4d.VECTOR_Y, c4d.VECTOR_Z)
    for chan in channels:
        id = c4d.DescID(color, c4d.DescLevel(chan, c4d.DTYPE_REAL))
        track = c4d.CTrack(mat, id)
        mat.InsertTrackSorted(track)
        curve = track.GetCurve()
        
        # Add key at min frame
        key = c4d.CKey()
        key.SetTime(curve, c4d.BaseTime(minFrame, fps)) # Set key at min frame
        key.SetValue(curve, 0.0)                        # Set channel to black
        curve.InsertKey(key)
        
        # Add key at max frame
        key = c4d.CKey()
        key.SetTime(curve, c4d.BaseTime(maxFrame, fps)) # Set key at max frame
        key.SetValue(curve, 1.0)                        # Set channel to white
        curve.InsertKey(key)
    
    c4d.EventAdd()
  
  
if __name__=='__main__':
    main()

Helper

THE POST BELOW IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION MIGHT BE OUTDATED OR DEPRECATED

On 25/01/2012 at 08:04, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I already knew how to create tracks, curves, and keys for the three color sub-channels.
But that code is a bit long in the tooth compared to using a keyframe selection to record color changes by the user.

I can't can't get either one of your keyframe selection scripts to work for me in R12 or R13.
The first one turns the "color" text red. Like it's active and ready. But when I press the record button nothing happens. The dot next to "color" does not turn red, and it does not set a key.

Am I using this wrong?
It's my understanding that keyframe selections are hooked to the record button. Like a list of specific things to record. Since the record button is greyed out when only a material is in the scene. I've been adding a cube and putting the material on that so the record button is available.

If those KS scripts are working for you. I must be using them wrong.

-ScottA

Helper

THE POST BELOW IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION MIGHT BE OUTDATED OR DEPRECATED

On 25/01/2012 at 08:56, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

Here is a script that keyframes an animation to a material color from black to white:

If its any help Scott

just checked this one on Studio R13

create material
run script

Yup works

MAterial animated from black to white
Little red dots next to material colour

Helper

THE POST BELOW IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION MIGHT BE OUTDATED OR DEPRECATED

On 25/01/2012 at 09:13, xxxxxxxx wrote:

This is the script I'm trying to use that doesn't work for me:

import c4d  
  
def main() :  
  mat = doc.GetFirstMaterial()  
    
  color = c4d.DescLevel(c4d.MATERIAL_COLOR_COLOR, c4d.DTYPE_COLOR)  
  id = c4d.DescID(color)  
  mat.SetKeyframeSelection(id, True)  
   
  c4d.EventAdd()  
  
if __name__=='__main__':  
  main()

I'm simply trying to enable the keyframe selection option on it so I can set keys with c4d.CallCommand(12410). Rather than having to create tracks, curves, and keys the long way.

-ScottA

Helper

THE POST BELOW IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION MIGHT BE OUTDATED OR DEPRECATED

On 25/01/2012 at 09:30, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I tried a similar thing earlier but didn't get more than the yellow highlighted word 'colour'

then the day job took over

sorry can't be more help

Helper

THE POST BELOW IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION MIGHT BE OUTDATED OR DEPRECATED

On 25/01/2012 at 13:22, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

I already knew how to create tracks, curves, and keys for the three color sub-channels.
But that code is a bit long in the tooth compared to using a keyframe selection to record color changes by the user.

I can't can't get either one of your keyframe selection scripts to work for me in R12 or R13.
The first one turns the "color" text red. Like it's active and ready. But when I press the record button nothing happens. The dot next to "color" does not turn red, and it does not set a key.

Am I using this wrong?
It's my understanding that keyframe selections are hooked to the record button. Like a list of specific things to record. Since the record button is greyed out when only a material is in the scene. I've been adding a cube and putting the material on that so the record button is available.

If those KS scripts are working for you. I must be using them wrong.

-ScottA

My guess is using the command to drive the button
needs a parameter to create the track
this was happening with the bend deformer

the colour doesn't have a way to create the track - so running the record button command doesn't do anything?

Helper

THE POST BELOW IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION MIGHT BE OUTDATED OR DEPRECATED

On 25/01/2012 at 14:25, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Look at Yannick's first reply.
There are two script examples that enable the keyframe selection option for the color attribute. One for the parent channel. And one for the individual subchannel.
But what purpose does doing this serve. If the record button doesn't set new keys?
He made it sound like they worked for him. But I don't see how.

As I said earlier.
AFAIK. The entire purpose for the existence of the keyframe selection option is to give the user the ability to key these attributes using the record button. Instead of diving down into the tracks&Curves level....Even on things that don't already have any tracks on them yet.
That's how it works on other things.

The reply I had expected to get was:
A. This is a bug
or
B. This is a known limitation. And the programmers forgot to grey out the Animation->Add Keyframe Selection option in the right click menu in the materials pallet.

-ScottA

Helper

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On 25/01/2012 at 23:30, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Totally agree about the shortcut to record
I'd also like to know

Over to Maxon for a reply then.......

Helper

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On 26/01/2012 at 05:44, xxxxxxxx wrote:

The purpose of Keyframe Selections is to record the set parameters in Auto-Key mode if the set parameters change.

From the docs:

**Add Keyframe Selection

To create a keyframe selection, select several parameters and choose Add Keyframe Selection. The selected parameter names will be colored to indicate that they belong to the keyframe selection. When you use CINEMA 4D's autokeying mode, only parameters in the keyframe selection will be recorded (provided their values actually change).**

The record button only records changes of selected objects not materials, tags etc.

cheers,
Matthias

Helper

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On 26/01/2012 at 07:55, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Apologies for newb question below.......

So there is no way to actually record keyframes (as in red dots)
other than the long way, create tracks etc
UNLESS you have an Object in the OM....OK

Q: could the app be tricked into recording - material changes, tags etc, by breifly setting autokey on...doing something...then turning off.... somehow?

Just looking for an easy life when it comes to creating keyframes

Helper

THE POST BELOW IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. RELATED SUPPORT INFORMATION MIGHT BE OUTDATED OR DEPRECATED

On 26/01/2012 at 08:13, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi Matthias,
Sorry to pull you away from your work.

I could not find this in any of the docs:
"The record button only records changes of selected objects not materials, tags etc."
I had sort of guessed that was the case. But I've often guessed wrong about things in the past.

There's no indication that Animation->Add Keyframe Selection will, or will not, work in any given situation. The option is there for everything including materials and tags.
To make things even more confusing to the user. That option WILL turn the attribute red..fooling the user into thinking it's available... When it isn't.
Making the user(or at least me) feel like it's an option. But they aren't using it correctly.

It would be great to see tags and materials working with this option in the future. It requires less coding to key them that way.
But if not. Could you guys please add a warning about this to the docs?

Thanks for the help,
-ScottA