Hi,
I need some information about:

1. save preview images or assign new preview images via Python
2. How can I stop "render preview image" process in preset library? In the settings there is a check box "Render scene" but I guess it is not related to this. After I create previews for my materials by "Create Preview" if my texture library is not active and I open this preset library everything seems black. So I have to activate or add texture path in the preferences. But I really need them to browse without make any modification. SO I need to fix their preview images. Is it possible to do that via Python?

thank you

thank you @Cairyn @m_adam

Hello,
I realized that I have 5 different "change name" scripts for special needs. I need an interface that I can get some inputs from that and use it in a single script. For example suffix text, prefix text, and some checkboxes in a single panel.

how can I do that? As far as I learned there are some gui functions for only one input type like:

inputString=gui.InputDialog()

I need a panel that will contain different type of multiple inputs. Is it possible?

GetClone creates a take from a source take but its overrides are linked to source take. if I remove overrides from cloned take, original take's overrides also deleted. Is this a bug or GetClone produces a kind of instance object with linking to source object? How can I fix this? How can I break them from the source take?

1. open attached c4d doc
2. select Sphere take
3. run this script
4. script will clone sphare take under main take. Newly cloned take have 2 overrides: 1) for X location and 2) for layer properties.
5. activate newly cloned Sphere take
6. activate AutoTake and Lock Override buttons
7. change Sphere's X location and/or sphare layer visibility values
8. you will see that c4d will add another override lines under already existent overrides

import c4d
# Script clones selected take to under Main Take

# AliasTrans did not work
    #trans = c4d.AliasTrans()
    #if trans is None or trans.Init(doc) is False:
    #    return False
    #clonedTake=selectedTake[0].GetClone(c4d.COPYFLAGS_0)
    #trans.Translate(False)

def main():
    takeData = doc.GetTakeData()
    mainTake=takeData.GetMainTake()
    selectedTake=takeData.GetTakeSelection(0)
    doc.StartUndo()
    doc.AddUndo(c4d.UNDOTYPE_CHANGE, mainTake)

    clonedTake=selectedTake[0].GetClone(c4d.COPYFLAGS_0)
    clonedTake.InsertUnder(mainTake)
    doc.EndUndo()
    c4d.EventAdd()    
    #gui.MessageDialog('Hello World!')

# Execute main()
if __name__=='__main__':
    main()

test.c4d

@a_block I tried your suggestion and it is working.

First tag setting instance links. Tag priority: Generator and index: -1
Second tag is getting width value and sets cube position with it. priority: Generator index:0

I moved user data to null object instead of using it on python tag. (Some one have suggested this before for another issue but I don't understand why we should use user data on python tag instead of object)

By the way after @zipit reply I tried to research about priority but could not find them in 3d4 doc. if you know a good page I would want to know it.

thank you both again.

@a_block hi,
thank you for the suggestion. I really did not think that using 2 tags instead of one. This may be work and thank you so much for this I hope it works (probably will work I'm guessing)

@zipit hi,
thank you for your help. I tested it but in this case it can't get currently assigned linked object. Old shape assignment is staying after new shape assignment. if you have time you can see this by assigning different shape objects.

Hello,
I have an null container with a python tag. Object structure as below:
Null
--Loft Object
----start
----end
--cube

1. Python tag has a single user data that holds an object link value
2. Loft object uses two instances: start and end.
3. Their link values are assigned by python tag.
4. and lastly I grab loft object's width value and use that value as cube object X location.

problem is when I assign new value to loftShapeLink user data I can't get loft object's width value correctly. I have to trigger python tag again and that time it runs perfectly. As you can see in sample file, after new shape assignments instance object link value is correctly assigned but width value is not updated(I got previous value).

How can I get correct width value after first execution of the script? This is a problem because I can't use takes to render scenes. Because when marked takes render is started scripts run only 1 time for active take and shape positions are not correctly rendered.

Note: I have to use null containers for shapes just because axis points. I tried only shape objects as link objects but it is not effect the result.
thank you
getting_an_object_with_issue_python.c4d

hi @x_nerve thank you for your time.
code is not simple actually it has about 500 lines as far as I remember. To make scenario clear here I wrote very simple scripts. I needed to use external link for all python tags because that code is changing time to time (bug or new features etc) so with this way I change code in a single source.

With this entry I had an "infinitely running script" problem and it was solved by removing "c4d.EventAdd()" line from external function. After this I had another issue with python tags. It was triggered whenever is changed in the scene. To prevent that I tried frame triggered python tags so with your answer it mixed with that issue below paragraph is my further step about the main topic)

I've tried frame triggered tags but not by your way. I added null object and attach a python tag on it. This simple code watch current take changing and if take is changed it changes the frame so tags are triggered that way. Because I use takes. every take holds different data values. So when I changed active take, python tags has to be run.

I will check your code as well currently I've been struggling with new issue about takes - user data - scene update
thank you again.

Hi,
I have a null object that has 3 user data variable on it. My take structure is like below. Every branch null object's data values are changed as mentioned below:

• Main (data values are %1)
  ---- Step1 (data values are %2)
  ------- Step 1a_Change Data values : %10
  ------- Step 1a_Change Data values : %20
  ------- Step 1a_Change Data values : %30

but, for example after data values are changed (while auto take and lock overrides are active) parent values are changing (Step1 and Main)

My explanation may be confusing so you can find the scene file below. Please try to

1. change Step1a, Step1b and Step1c (all of sub takes) and after changes go back to Step 1 and Main takes and see correct values
2. again, try to change values of parent takes Step1a or Step1b or Step1c
   and make active Step 1 take or main take. you will see that values were changed with previous values.

I tried to understand this behavior but I could not understand yet. could anyone know why parent take values are changing after sub take values are changed?

(Cinema 4D Latest version)
scene file:UserData_Take_problem.c4d

thank you