Dynamically Creating Vertex Array

[Michael Hussar]

The problem is that even though you can reference the NUll position in the expression, you can’t use the NULL to control the vertex points in real time(at least not the last time I researched trying to do the very same thing).
I would be nice and it seems like it makes sense to have this ability but for whatever the reason is, Adobe doesn’t allow for control of mask vertices in real time.

[Stuart Simpson]

Yup that’s what I thought, but…

I’ve just found the BAO Mask Avenger plugin which allows you to edit masks vertices and tangents in real time with key frame friendly position properties. So almost there!

So now I just have to be able to use the comments property of the markers on a reference layer to trigger which key frames are being used to tween between. Currently I have ten possible position key frames that I want to animate between.

So I mighty choose position 1 at frame 10 to tween between position 5 at frame 30 and then back to position 3 at frame 35.

I’ve found some of Dan’s expressions that map markers to an in and out point only, but not sure how to adapt that for more than 2 markers.

Any ideas?

[Stuart Simpson]

Okay so go it calling the values from the comments of the reference layer (The comments call on key frame values that are in the animating layer).

But it seems to be jumping to those values at the layer marker, rather than easing between the values called by the two layer markers.

I must admit this is a bit outside my comfort zone so any help much appreciated!

m = thisComp.layer("reference").marker;

// set the previous and next marker key values

Keystart = 0;
if (m.numKeys > 0)
{ Keystart = m.nearestKey(time).index;
if (m.key(Keystart).time > time) Keystart--;
}
Vstart = REST;
if (Keystart > 0)
{ Vstart = eval(m.key(Keystart).comment);
}

Keyend = Keystart+1;
if (Keyend > m.numKeys)
{Keyend = Keystart;
}
Vend = REST;
if (Keyend > 1)
{ Vend =eval( m.key(Keyend).comment);
}

// set the previous and next marker key time

Vstime = time;
if (Keystart > 0)
{ Vstime = m.key(Keystart).time;
}

Vetime = time;
if (Keyend > 1)
{ Vetime = m.key(Keystart).time;
}

// finally the ease expression

ease(time, Vstime, Vetime, Vstart, Vend)

[Michael Hussar]

Hi Stu,

Unfortunately, I’m not entirely sure about what the solution is here. Maybe Dan or one of the other more senior members will offer some suggestions. I’m sorry that I can’t be of much more help with this code.

Best,

Michael

[Stuart Simpson]

Thanks for getting back to me Michael, I’ll try posting this problem separately to see if anyone has the answer.

I’d recommend trying that plugin I mentioned. It has the option to link vertices to nulls to.

Stu

[Stuart Simpson]

Wow scratch that. Copying and pasting the expression noticed the 1 typo…. Couldn’t see the wood for the trees as they say!

So now when I scrub the values tween and when I stop the mask redraws but when I preview it stays the same shape!?!

I’ve posted this as a separate issue now too!

Stu

Okay, edit to the above… I think it’s because I only have a trial of the plugin and RAM preview only comes with full version…. But phew, sorted…