Re: ANIMblast settings

[jayjammal]

Not sure if this is the correct place to ask but...

Maya Playblast Options has a checkable box for "Save to file."  I could be mistaken but it seems that tradigitools' ANIMBlast auto saves a playblast to your specified project set folder weather or not you have "Save to File" unchecked in Playblast Options, and "Use All Playblast Options" checked in the ANIMBlast options.

Is there a way to ANIMBlast without saving a file?

With Maya Playblast I tend to test blast without saving to a file.  This increases system resources a bit if I have multiple playblasts open, but saves me the step of having to sift through and delete unwanted playblasts down the road.  When I have what I want, I save to a file and rename the file to archive it.

Also, ANIMBlast saves with a generic "playblast.avi" name.  Is there somewhere within the TradigiTools options to set a file name specific to the playblast a user is about to perform?  Like if I want the playblast called s02_ProdName_v01.avi - where would I set this?

Thanks,
Jules

[Dimos]

ANIMBlast is based on your playblast settings and your render global settings.  Whatever setting you have in there will be the bases for ANIMBlast.  ANIMBlast just removes non-geometry items and inserts the Shotmask setting within tradigiTOOLS.

-Dimos

[jayjammal]

I see how the naming convention and file saving is working now...in order for AnimBlast to update you have to first perform the changed option within Maya's Playblast.  Do a quick playblast and escape...then ANIMBlast will follow suite.

Ex: If you want to save a file as s02_ProdName_v01.avi then you first have to open playblast and make sure the settings and name are there.  You can't change the name of a file within ANIMBlast unfortunately.  It has to be done within playblast options.  So if I've ANIMBlasted with playblast options to save a file as s02_ProdName_v01.avi, then when I hit ANIMBlast again it will blast it again...but try to save it as the same file name.  Just typing a name in the Playblast options won't rename the file.  ANIMBlast will still try to rename the file according to what was there last.  In order to rename the file I'd have to reopen playblast options, change the name to say s02_ProdName_v02.avi and then hit playblast/escape to kill the blast.  Now ANIMBlast will try and save the file with the v02 naming convention.  In order to ANIMBlast without saving I first need to playblast/esc with the save unchecked.  Then ANIMBlast will follow suite.

It's late.  I hope I've illiterated this properly.
Jules

[Dimos]

Or you can actually save out the rendered playblast and rename it then instead of doing all that work upfront.  It's as easy as selecting SAVE AS and then renaming the file and saving it to the desired location.

May be easier.

-Dimos