Record Script dialog box

File

Displays the name of the output file(s). A default file name is displayed, which takes the form <DGNfilename><digits>.<format suffix>. For example, if you are creating a 75 frame sequence of TIF files for DGN file “Stadium.dgn”, then the default file name would be “Stadium00.tif”. If the sequence was 1000 frames, then the name would be “Stadium0000.tif”.

You can choose a different file name and/or format for the sequence, by clicking the Record Image File icon to the right of the File name field. This opens the Record Script dialog box, which lets you enter a name for the sequence.

Only formats that creates separate frame images, such as Targa or TIFF are supported. When you select these formats, a separate file will be created automatically for each frame in the sequence. You must insert a number at the end of the filename, and this number will be incremented for each frame saved. For example, naming the file that contains the first frame of a Targa-format sequence “orbit01.tga” causes the subsequent frame files to be named “orbit02.tga,” “orbit03.tga,” “orbit04.tga,” and so on. In the event of an interruption to the process, you can return later and pick up from the next frame number in the sequence. If you require single file movie formats, such as AVI, FLI or FLC, you can convert the sequence to the required format via the Movie Player.

Record Image File icon

Opens a dialog box that lets you choose a different name, path, and/or file format for the animation sequence.

View

Sets the view for the recorded script. If the viewing parameters are controlled by scripting cameras or saved views, they are inherited from the view.

Resolution X, Y

Sets the animated sequence's horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) resolution in pixels. If the lock control is closed, the ratio between the Resolution X and Resolution Y values are constrained to match the aspect ratio of the source view.

Higher resolution can substantially increase both the time and memory required to record and play back a sequence.

Gamma

Sets the brightness of the images in the output file(s). The default value is 1.0; the valid range is 0.1–3.0. Increasing the Gamma Correction lightens the images; decreasing it darkens the images.

Begin Frame

Set the animated sequence's first frame.

End Frame

Set the animated sequence's last frame.

Skip Frames

Sets the number of frames to skip between each recorded frame. The default is zero. Setting this to a value greater than zero is useful for producing a quick recording, or for checking purposes.

Speed

Field Rendering

Used to create sequences that are suitable for recording/playback on video systems, in which each frame consists of two fields. When Field Rendering is enabled, each frame is rendered in two passes, with the second pass half a frame ahead of the first. These are then interlaced, such that the resulting frame matches the field refresh rate of the display system. This technique is effectively doubles the apparent refresh rate of the recorded sequence from 30 to 60 fields for NTSC and from 25 to 50 fields for PAL.

Field rendering is useful only when creating sequences that are to be played back on interlaced equipment, such as NTSC or PAL video. They will not appear correct when played back as a MicroStation movie, or other systems that do not refresh the interlaced fields separately.

Odd Rows First

(Field Rendering enabled only) Determines whether the odd rows are taken from the first or second rendering pass. (This is sometimes referred to as “2:1” or “1:2” interlacing.) Most video recording equipment expects the even row first, so Odd Rows First is turned off by default.

Motion Blur

If on, motion blur is applied to the script. Motion blur is the effect of “blurring” objects as they move on the screen, giving them a smooth and more realistic appearance of motion.

Samples

The value in this field represents the number of inbetween frames that are added between the whole frames in the script. Basically, the higher the value, the smoother the blur in the animation. This field can only have even number values equal to or greater than 2, and is only enabled when Motion Blur is on.

Antialias

If on, antialiases your animation using the settings in the More Ray Tracer Settings dialog box (Settings > Rendering > Ray Tracing > More Settings).

Stereo

If on, creates a 3D animation with a stereo effect that is visible when viewed with 3D (Red/Blue) glasses.

Shading

Compression

Sets the degree of compression from Minimum Loss to High Loss for JPEG Format files. Greater compression is achieved as image quality is sacrificed.

Color Mode

Number of colors in the output file.

Clear Pattern/Bump Maps Between Frames

If on, pattern/bump maps are cleared between frames.

Don't Clear Shadow Maps Between Frames

(Phong shading only) If on, shadow maps are not cleared between frames. This setting can be used when there is no animation of lighting and, therefore, no movement in the shadows between frames.

Option menu for rendering method

(Ray Trace, Radiosity, and Particle Trace shading only) Sets the rendering method for recording the sequence.

• Create new solution for each frame
— A new rendering solution is created for each frame of the animation. Use this option where you have animated actors, so that each movement is recorded.

• Create single solution from frame
— Lets you create a single rendering solution from a nominated frame. When this option is selected, a field to the right of the menu lets you nominate the frame from which to create the single solution. Useful for animations where there is no movement of actors, such as walk throughs. Reduces rendering time by not regenerating the rendering database for each frame.

Before recording commences, an alert box warns you that any animated actors may not render correctly and asks if you want to create a new solution for each frame.

• Load solution from file
— Lets you load a previously saved rendering solution prior to recording the animation sequence. Useful for animations where there is no movement of actors, such as in walk throughs. Reduces rendering time by not regenerating the rendering database for each frame.

Before opening the Load Rendering Database dialog box, an alert box warns you that any animated actors may not render correctly and asks if you want to create a new solution for each frame.

• Use Existing solution
— Lets you use the existing solution, from previously rendering the view. Useful for animations where there is no movement of actors, such as walk throughs. Reduces rendering time by not regenerating the rendering database for each frame.

Before recording commences, an alert box warns you that any animated actors may not render correctly and asks if you want to create a new solution for each frame.

OK

Records the sequence.

Cancel

Closes the dialog box without recording the sequence.