Graphics

I have about 5 Sequencer items that are player bios and a few stat notes for the current batter. When a player is up to bat, currently I have to enter their jersey number (the DataLinq Key) multiple times to prepare each of the 5 possible gfx that the director may want for each batter. I'm trying to build a DashBoard panel that will let me type the jersey number once in a text entry field parameter (JerseyNumber) and then have that value update the 5 sequencer items that use the jersey number to populate names, headshots, stats, notes, etc. How do I get a "handle" on the DataLinq Key value in XPression that is a manual text entry field in the Template Data tab? 

I tried this but it is not working:

dim jerseyKey as xpDatalinqKey
Self.GetKeyByName("JERSEY", jerseyKey)

'test - attempting to hardcode a value to see if it works. it doesn't...
jerseyKey.Value = 24

' I need something here to grab the Dashboard parameter
' value from the external .xml datasource
'created/modified by the DashBoard panel

'pseudocode: jerseyKey.Value = JerseyNum parameter value set by DashBoard text entry


Self.RefreshDatalinqs

How about using a text macro instead of a datalinq Key? You could link a DATA_NUM text object that is not visible to your dashboard parameter, then use that as a macro to populate the jersey number and the various data. @DATA_NUM@ would replace the datalinq key. Hit me up if you need a hand.  Cheers

Can also have the macro update the datalinqkeys so you don't have to change all  your work you can put the macro into the datalinqkey. 

Either way be sure to click the following to make sure it updates successfully. 
 

Thanks, Malcolm and Simon. I think I have this going now. I saw a post from Malcolm a while back that showed the xpDatalinqKey setup by starting with using "xpDatalinqKeys", followed by accessing that list to identify the one Key I'm trying to get a hold of. I'm assuming you have to first create an array of Keys in the scene, and then dig into that list to get the one you want. I couldn't get it working by just using:

Self.GetKeyByName("JERSEY", jerseyKey)

And then from DashBoard, I used some RossTalk I haven't used before to update the Take Item's Datalinq Key

rosstalk.sendMessage('localhost', 7788, 'DATALINQKEY 102:JERSEY:' + jerseyNum, callback);

You might also consider using a Counter Widget in XPression as a simpler solution. A Counter essentially works like a global variable inside the project, and you can reference it in multiple Sequencer take items text fields. This way, you only update the number once in the Counter Widget, and all linked templates update automatically.

You can make the Widgets panel visible right next to the Sequencer by enabling it under Display > Widgets, which makes it easy to update the Counter while preparing your take items. No Dashboard panel, no RossTalk commands, and no need to touch each take item individually. If needed, the Counter value can still be updated via script or Dashboard later.

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Juha Koivisto
Tampere
Finland
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Self.GetKeyByName("JERSEY", jerseyKey)

rosstalk.sendMessage('localhost', 7788, 'DATALINQKEY 102:JERSEY:' + jerseyNum, callback);

Hey Shane, I have something similar:

dim key as xpDatalinqKey

dim keys as xpDatalinqKeys

scene.GetDatalinqKeys(keys)

Keys.GetKeyByName ("jersey", Key)

Key.AsString = Text

This takes a text item in the item inspector which is named "jersey" that I have Datalinqed to Dashboard. Hope this helps!

A great way of getting it done Adam. But if you start using text macros, that opens up all sorts of dynamic textures, videos, materials based on different items in the scene that wouldn't need any scripting to set the datalinq keys. Headshots could then be @F_Name@"_"@L_Name@.png. It just opens up a whole new work flow for your future projects.

Cheers

Malcolm

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Malcolm Thorpe
xpression design
Free Lance Xpression Designer/Carbonite TD
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