Graphics

HELP! I'm working on a show that sends me new Titlecard graphics (in MOV format) everyday. Since I'm relatively new to xPression... I always end up making a new scene and dragging the AVI (after I converted the MOV to AVI) to that scene (in the scene director).

I want to be able to make ONE SCENE (then send to sequencer) and be able to swap out the video (AVI) with the new video; without having to make a new scene in the LAYOUT SIDE.

The way xPressiuon operates I would think that this would be an easy thing. I HAVEN'T been able to make this work. IS THIS POSSIBLE? If I could simple swap out the clips (Titlecards), it would seriously save me so much build time.

The reason I think that this is possible is because there is a VIDEO tape in the SEQUENCER. Which I assume is to SWAP out videos. Am I wrong?

Thanks

Steve

Hi Steve,

It certainly is possible to make a single scene with a video material that can be replaced in the sequencer. In the Layout view, you would select the object you wish to modify in the sequencer, and then in the Object Inspector you will then find the Template Links tab. Check the Publish Object box and then the material will be available to edit in the sequencer. Not only will you be able to select other video materials but assign video files directly to the object without creating new video materials in layout. You will also notice that many attributes can be published for editing in the sequencer this way including visibility, position, scale and rotation.

Text is published by default.

Hope this helps you out,

Cheers

#XPression

On the layout side, you should attach a video to the object in the scene with the properties of Autostart and Freerunning. This replaceable video method will not support dragging the video clip onto the scene director to play it. You must use Autostart. When replacing a video from the sequencer it will use whatever properties (autostart/freerunning/loop) were used by the video in the original template scene.

#XPression

Thanks guys... I still haven't got it working right.

@JB I do have the properties i need to change selected in the TEMPLATE LINKS tab; but still can't get it to swap out correctly.

@BRIAN When I select "AUTO-START" on the material in the scene. When I take to sequencer, it ignores any and all pauses; pause event in scene director and/or wait for key in the scene control tab in the sequencer.

Right now my material settings on the scene are:

Mode: Play Once

Auto Start: checked (this causes avi to play immediately and ignores all pauses)

Free Running: checked

When I un-check Auto-Start & Free Running, it allows me to swap out the video in the sequencer and I see the first frame of the new video (puts it to air), but then will not play.

Here is my dilemma... I need to be able to have the first frame of the titlecard on-line and then animate when director cues me.

Am I missing something. Thanks again.

Steve

#XPression

Hi Steve,

I think the only way to achieve what you want would be to use a script. The replaceable video materials only works natively with auto-start materials (because you can't drag the new video onto the scene director)..

So try this (I did, and it worked ok for me):

Change your video material to NOT autostart/freerunning.

Put a pause event on your scenedirector as normal (on frame 0 or frame 1)

Place a script event on the scenedirector on the frame following the pause event.

In the script event put the following script:



dim quad as xpBaseObject

dim mat as xpMaterial

Scene.GetObjectByName("Quad1", quad)

quad.GetMaterial(0, mat)

mat.Play



Make sure in the script you replace the Quad1 with the name of your actual quad object in your scene (the one that the video is mapped on to).

Now add this to the OnOnline event (to make sure the material/video is stopped before going on air):



dim quad as xpBaseObject

dim mat as xpMaterial

Self.GetObjectByName("Quad1", quad)

quad.GetMaterial(0, mat)

mat.Stop



#XPression

Brian THANKS SO MUCH! That did work perfectly. This is gonna save me so much time. Thanks Again. By chance are there plans in the next version to be able to swap out videos with pauses(without needing a script)? please! lol

Steve

#XPression