Visualization Guide
Visualization Guide
Visualization Guide

Script Actor

Use it!

Used to create a script to parametrically position an actor during an animation sequence. Positioning of an actor is restricted to those manipulations that were defined when the actor was created (or later modified with the Modify Actor tool). A number of built-in variables and functions are available for defining actor motion equations — see Built-in variables and functions.

Script Actor dialog box

  

You can script the position, rotation, or scale of an actor as a function of time, or frame number. For example, the formula 5*frame in the X Rotation field causes the actor to be rotated 5° about the X axes, every frame of the animation sequence.

When working with this tool, you can identify and accept the actor graphically, or you can double-click its name in the list box that appears when Display Actor List is on.

Tool SettingEffect
Display Actor List

If on, a list box containing the names of existing actors is displayed. See Working with actors.

To script an actor
  1. Select the Script Actor tool.

  2. Identify the actor.

  3. Accept the actor.
    The Script Actor dialog box opens.

    Script Actor dialog box. Options not available for the identified actor are dimmed.

      

  4. In the Begin Frame field, key in the beginning frame number.

  5. In the End Frame field, key in the end frame number.

  6. In the remaining fields, key in formulas where desired to parametrically specify the actor's position, rotation, or scale — fields for unavailable types of manipulation are disabled.

  7. Click the OK button.
    The Script Actor dialog box closes, and the script entry is added to the list in the Animation Producer dialog box. However, if the specified entry conflicts with an existing entry for this actor, an alert box is displayed instead, and you are prompted to use, reject, or recreate the entry.

Key-in: ANIMATOR SCRIPT ACTOR

If, to identify the actor (step 2), you select an actor name in the Script Actor settings window that is shared by multiple actors, the script is applied to all actors with that name. This is desirable only if you want to apply the same scripted motion to all. In general, it is recommended that actor names be unique.