Graphics

So we have an existing segment with a 90-second countdown timer. The producers are used to hitting Take to put the scene online, then Take again to start the counter. They're not going to want to start hitting CTL-1 (or similar) to trigger the countdown. Is that something that can be set up in Visual Logic? I tried setting up a Pause in a Scene Director, but didn't see a way to link the second start to trigger the counter. Hopefully this doesn't require scripting because I have zero VB experience.

Side note: can we provide them with a field they can enter a number and have that be the counter start time? So, they type in "60," the counter counts down 60 seconds.

you can set up a pause, followed by a tiny script that basically triggers the widget to start. Put your pause after your initial animation on, then add a script event and put this in it. Change the name of "MyWidget" to match the widget you use for your timer. Let me know if I made an error

dim timer as xpClockTimerWidget

engine.getWidgetByName ("MyWidget", timer)

timer.start

Regarding the preset values, here is what we do. I have about 6 different timers I use and I have a different widget for each. I use a text field with radio buttons attached and that is how the operator chooses the timer value. Let me know if you want a copy of the project.

Sadly, the script approach didn't work. Even pulled everything out of the Scene Director except for the script event, thinking it would then be the only thing to play, but the Timer stubbornly refuses to start no matter how many times we hit the Take key.

Jeff, let me double check my script. Meanwhile can you send a copy of your project? Does "Take" basically put the scene on line?

Script works fine here. Reach out to me and lets get this done.

Sorry for the delay. Few fires cropped up yesterday. I have the project collected. Purged out everything but the clock scenes to keep the file size down (although I think I accidentally deleted the scene where we had set up the script). What's the best way to send it to you? We have a file transfer service we can use.

Actually, with some trial and error and your last screen shot, we managed to make it do what we wanted (the secret? Compile). Appreciate all the help! On to the next issue.

Jeff, that was going to be my next question. I can't even count the number of times I have missed the "compile" step. I'm happy it worked for you. I am on google hangout at jazzthorpedo@gmail.com. We can direct message there if you ever need a hand. I eat this stuff up and it helps me learn new techniques.

I spoke too soon. Works fine on our authoring station, but doesn't in the control room. The scene loads, but then hitting the Take/Enter key in there has no further effect. Does the script need to be moved as well?

well, the script has to be there...and COMPILED :) Also make sure the widget is exactly the same name in the script.

Script is there and compiled. Widget name matches. Works fine on our design station but after pushing it to the project server, it doesn't run in the control room. Take puts the scene online, but hitting Take again does not start the counter like it does on the design station. Didn't know if there was some setup thing we have to do to make the control room run the script?

I don't push to a project server so I have no experience there. BUT, try going into the script and where it says engine.GetWidgetByName change it to Scene.GetWidgetByName. Perhaps the original script is referencing your work station. I am grasping as straws now. Meanwhile I will try a few things here at the office.

try doing Scene.Project.GetWidgetByName()

Many thanks! Scene.Project.GetWidgetByName() was the magic bullet. Both fixed the problem and made our IT guy say some very interesting new words. Guess I need to learn VBScript.

haha....I'm glad it worked out. Jeff, regarding VB, just start with a few little things. Then you get comfortable with those and they lead to other things. I'm no expert but it sure makes life easier.