Activate Camera -A very simple question for a noob

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On 26/08/2011 at 02:53, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I've got render elements. Great plugin. However from memory it cannot record camera states. I also wish to automate the entire process for many cameras with just 1 button push.

Allow me to explain exactly what I wish to do so you can point me further in the right direction and I won't waste anyones time.

Basically I have already constructed a stereo/autostereo rig using xpresso. I had rigged up a control to change scene cameras using the stage object which was input from link data from an integer user input. Long story short this failed when merging my camera setup to a new scene. I need a better solution to activate various cameras from user data. Enter python.

What I want it a small loader plug in with a simple ui that is capable of 2 main functions (2 buttons).

1. Merge the external camera rig c4d scene into the active document.

2. Batch export the scene 8 times, to 8 separate scenes with unique naming. The only difference in each scene is the active camera 1-8. The logic behind this is that I can put these files to the renderfarm.

This sounds like fairly simple stuff to me. Could I achieve all of this with Python?

Thanks folks

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On 26/08/2011 at 05:14, xxxxxxxx wrote:

As you wish..

Place a file '01.c4d' onto your C:\ local drive and run the script with a new document opened..
Youll find 8 new files on you local drive. Make sure there is an object in 01.c4d.

import  c4d  
from    c4d.documents       import LoadDocument, SaveDocument, GetActiveDocument, InsertBaseDocument  
  
  
def Example() :  
  doc     = GetActiveDocument()  
  preset  = LoadDocument(r'C:\01.c4d', c4d.SCENEFILTER_OBJECTS)  
  InsertBaseDocument(preset)  
  cam_pr  = preset.GetFirstObject().GetClone()  
  
  doc.InsertObject(cam_pr)  
  
  for i in xrange(8) :  
      cam_pr.SetAbsPos(c4d.Vector(0, i * 50, 0))  
      # ... Change whatever you want  
      SaveDocument(doc, r'C:\MySavedFile0' + str(i) + '.c4d', c4d.SAVEDOCUMENTFLAGS_0, c4d.FORMAT_C4DEXPORT)  
  
Example()

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On 28/08/2011 at 18:49, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Thanks nux, Very helpful.

How about these 2 problems...?

1. I actually want to non destructively merge the base camera rig into my working scene rather than just loading it in separately into its own scene. I looked through the sdk, tried the c4d.documents.MergeDocument command but it didnt work.

Also...

2. I have user data with an integer setting...0-7 which controls which camera is active using the stage object/xpresso. How might i be able to adapt your script to iterate this integer value user data, before saving the scene off. Ive tried some things but i cant access the user data properly!

Much appreciated you guys

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On 29/08/2011 at 02:01, xxxxxxxx wrote:

1. How about doing it the other wey round ? Instead of loading the Scene to the Preset, load the Preset to the scene. (That was actually my intention with the naming of the variables).

2. op[c4d.ID_USERDATA, id] # id: the id of the userdata entry

Cheers,

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On 29/08/2011 at 08:02, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Here's how to Merge a .c4d file:

import c4d, os  
from c4d import documents  
  
def main() :  
  doc = documents.GetActiveDocument()  
  fn = c4d.storage.GeGetC4DPath(c4d.C4D_PATH_DESKTOP) #Gets the desktop path  
  path = os.path.join(fn,'MyFile.c4d')                #The actual .c4d file   
  merge = documents.MergeDocument(doc, path, 1)  
  c4d.EventAdd()  
  
if __name__=='__main__':  
  main()

Look up the other paths (C4D_PATH_DESKTOP, etc...)  you can use in the docs.

-ScottA

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On 29/08/2011 at 17:26, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

Here's how to Merge a .c4d file:

import c4d, os  
from c4d import documents  
 
def main() :  
  doc = documents.GetActiveDocument()  
  fn = c4d.storage.GeGetC4DPath(c4d.C4D_PATH_DESKTOP) #Gets the desktop path  
  path = os.path.join(fn,'MyFile.c4d')                #The actual .c4d file   
  merge = documents.MergeDocument(doc, path, 1)  
  c4d.EventAdd()  
 
if __name__=='__main__':  
  main()

Look up the other paths (C4D_PATH_DESKTOP, etc...)  you can use in the docs.

-ScottA

Thanks Scott, will try that asap. Ill let you know how i go.

One thing I am still struggling with is how to setup that for loop with the user data. Like where do i need to specify the ID. and where do i put 'i' for an integer list type user data setup.

Basically at the moment the user data integer list is set up so ...

0=perspec using nux's little python script tag. (Thanks mate!)
1=cam 1
2=cam 2
3=cam 3 etc...

can you specify a for loop where i is between a range say 1-5 for example?

I know Python integration is fairly new to c4d, but I am amazing how little true code examples there are on the net. Who can understand reading an SDK. Half of it isnt even in context. Just raw comands. And it's so brutal when it comes to debugging that somelike me has no chance to find what is wrong with the code.

One thing i can say is how surprised I am of the support you guys have given me already. I know you think im lazy for asking for code, but I guess i learn faster with examples. And reverse engineering code rather than inventing it.

Thanks all.

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On 29/08/2011 at 19:21, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Note: Using xrange() is more efficient and should always be used when you do not require a list.

Edit: Made layout more nice.

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On 29/08/2011 at 20:50, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

Here's how to Merge a .c4d file:

import c4d, os  
from c4d import documents  
 
def main() :  
  doc = documents.GetActiveDocument()  
  fn = c4d.storage.GeGetC4DPath(c4d.C4D_PATH_DESKTOP) #Gets the desktop path  
  path = os.path.join(fn,'MyFile.c4d')                #The actual .c4d file   
  merge = documents.MergeDocument(doc, path, 1)  
  c4d.EventAdd()  
 
if __name__=='__main__':  
  main()

Look up the other paths (C4D_PATH_DESKTOP, etc...)  you can use in the docs.

-ScottA

That worked and makes sense thank you.

NUX; i'm going to attempt this for loop thing now from the documentation you posted. Will let you know when i fail....

Has anyone ever got Python to save the entire project including scene file and tex folder? 'Render Elements' does it, so i asked the creator how he did it and he said that there was no easy way. He had to gather all the information in the scene and collect files manually with his code. He basically rewrote the save project command in c4d. It was his understanding that saving a project could not be scriptable because it promts the user every time for a save path, meaning its useless for long loops etc. I would like my script to 'for loop' the scene x amount of times changing a user data entry each time, then save the entire project to it's own folder with it's name also being driven by a user data string variable.

Saving a project through Python seems to be the next hurdle for me now.

Thanks!

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On 29/08/2011 at 21:03, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

Note: Using xrange() is more efficient and should always be used when you do not require a list.

Edit: Made layout more nice.

Your image files are not allowed aparently. What layout are you refering to?

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On 29/08/2011 at 21:06, xxxxxxxx wrote:

You cannot see the images ?
Ehm, layout ? Do you mean websites ?
Actually, theese are the links:

Python Docs: http://docs.python.org/index.html
Xrange function: http://docs.python.org/library/functions.html?highlight=xrange#xrange
Range function: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/controlflow.html#the-range-function
for statement: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/controlflow.html#for-statements

Edit: Using the SaveDocument function works just fine and no dialog appears.

import c4d  
from c4d.documents import SaveDocument  
  
  
def main() :  
  SaveDocument(doc, 'C:\\foo.c4d', 1, c4d.FORMAT_C4DEXPORT)  
  
if __name__=='__main__':  
  main()

You just have to make sure that the file-path is absolute, not relative.

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On 29/08/2011 at 21:29, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

You cannot see the images ?
Ehm, layout ? Do you mean websites ?
Actually, theese are the links:

Python Docs: http://docs.python.org/index.html
Xrange function: http://docs.python.org/library/functions.html?highlight=xrange#xrange
Range function: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/controlflow.html#the-range-function
for statement: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/controlflow.html#for-statements

Edit: Using the SaveDocument function works just fine and no dialog appears.

import c4d  
from c4d.documents import SaveDocument  
 
 
def main() :  
  SaveDocument(doc, 'C:\\foo.c4d', 1, c4d.FORMAT_C4DEXPORT)  
 
if __name__=='__main__':  
  main()

You just have to make sure that the file-path is absolute, not relative.

Yeah mate I've got my head around that function now which is great.

However from the SDK there doesnt seem to be an option/flag to make it a 'SAVE PROJECT' function where the entire project folder is saved INCLUDING tex folder, GI files etc.

So I want to iterate the same function as when the user goes File/Save Project...

not sure if i made sense.

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On 29/08/2011 at 21:58, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Is there something more than textures and GI files ?
Copying the GI files and textures is no problem. It does also seem like cinema 4d does recognize when textures are suddenly relative and no more absolute.

Use this function to save as a project, It should work jsut fine.

import  c4d  
from    c4d.documents   import SaveDocument  
from    os.path         import abspath, dirname, split, join, exists, basename, isabs  
from    os              import makedirs, mkdir  
from    shutil          import copytree, copy  
  
def SaveProject(doc, path) :  
  pah         = abspath(path)  
  ndir_, name = split(path)  
  ndir_       = join(ndir_, name[:name.rfind('.')])  
  
  if not exists(ndir_) :  
      makedirs(ndir_)  
  
  new_illum   = join(ndir_, 'illum')  
  new_tex     = join(ndir_, 'tex')  
  
  dir_    = doc.GetDocumentPath()  
  if dir_:  
      illum   = join(dir_, 'illum')  
      if exists(illum) :  
          copytree(illum, new_illum)  
      tex     = join(dir_, 'tex')  
      if exists(tex) :  
          copytree(tex, new_tex)  
  
  for i, texture in doc.GetAllTextures() :  
      if not isabs(texture) : continue  
      copy(texture, join(new_tex, basename(texture)))  
  
  SaveDocument(doc, join(ndir_, name), 0, c4d.FORMAT_C4DEXPORT)  
  
  return True  
  
# example:  
SaveProject(doc, 'C:\\foo.c4d')

Cheers,

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On 29/08/2011 at 22:44, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Absolute genius Nux, and that was quick too! You saved me ages!

Im sure a lot of readers will find this particularly useful too!

Thanks mate.

PS. does the \\ in the filename denote multiplatform? Would this work on a mac for instance? Thanks again.

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On 29/08/2011 at 23:32, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Here is something interesting. For some reason this doesnt bring in my one material for the 3Dcam.c4d scene. It is definately there in the file. I've tried flags but it doesnt make a difference...mmm

import c4d, os  
from c4d import documents  
  
def main() :  
  doc = documents.GetActiveDocument()  
  fn = c4d.storage.GeGetC4DPath(c4d.C4D_PATH_DESKTOP) #Gets the desktop path  
  path = os.path.join(fn,'3Dcam.c4d')                #The actual .c4d file   
  merge = documents.MergeDocument(doc, path, 1 )  
  c4d.EventAdd()  
  
if __name__=='__main__':  
  main()  
  

EDIT: Wait, replacing the merge = documents.MergeDocument(doc, path, 1 ) to  merge = documents.MergeDocument(doc, path, 3 )seemed to work.

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On 30/08/2011 at 06:26, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

PS. does the \\ in the filename denote multiplatform? Would this work on a mac for instance? Thanks again.

The backslash is a character indicating a special character in a string on almost any programmin language. Using \\ defines a simple \. Using \n defines a newline, a tab, etc..

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

EDIT: Wait, replacing the merge = documents.MergeDocument(doc, path, 1 ) to  merge = documents.MergeDocument(doc, path, 3 )seemed to work.

You should use IDs instead of numbers, but i couldn't find that numer to be a 'SCENEFILETER_XX' ID. Sounds weird. May you check the function with the IDs to see which one does work for you ? See the documentation for the IDs under MergeDocument. Thanks.

Np
Cheers,

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On 30/08/2011 at 07:50, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Read this thread about escape characters:https://plugincafe.maxon.net/topic/5838/5896_saving-files-without-the-file-browser

Mac's and PC's use different escapes.
That might be the reason why the guy who made render elements was having troubles.

-ScottA

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On 30/08/2011 at 20:36, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

Read this thread about escape characters:https://plugincafe.maxon.net/topic/5838/5896_saving-files-without-the-file-browser

Mac's and PC's use different escapes.
That might be the reason why the guy who made render elements was having troubles.

-ScottA
[/QUOTE

ah i see. thanks dude.

PS. I am trying this code to simply change the viewport resolution, not working...mmm

 
 renderData = document.GetActiveRenderData()
 renderData[c4d.RDATA_XRES] = 1024
 renderData[c4d.RDATA_YRES] = 576  
 document.SetActiveRenderData(renderData)  
 

thanks

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On 30/08/2011 at 20:55, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I recall reading another thread where someone was also having problems with it.
I can't remember if he was a mac user or not.
It's never given me any trouble on the PC platform:

import c4d  
  
def main() :  
  renderData = doc.GetActiveRenderData()  
  renderData[c4d.RDATA_XRES] = 200  
  renderData[c4d.RDATA_YRES] = 200  
  c4d.EventAdd()  
  
if __name__=='__main__':  
  main()

Works fine for me.

-ScottA

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On 30/08/2011 at 23:02, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Yeah spot on Scott, cheers.

So if i want to change the render savefilename or multipass filename based upon a user data variable, is this a similar procedure? Does this apply to document scale as well. I want to know how i can change the document scale to cm before i import my file with the script.

Cheers. Its coming together.

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On 30/08/2011 at 23:31, xxxxxxxx wrote:

k, scratch most of that. Im mostly stuggling to find what class controls the document scale/fps etc.

EDIT: Looking though the Base.Document reveals other things like min time, preview time FPS etc but no document scale (cm/mm) etc...