Setting the output path with a script

Krakatoa for 3ds Max
1

Hello guys,
I’m writing the pipeline for our small new studio over here, and I need to set the output of Krakatoa and XMesh with Maxscript. Any ideas? Thanks!

2

In the case of Krakatoa, you can get and set the save path as follows:

FranticParticles.GetProperty "ParticleFiles" --> returns the current save path FranticParticles.SetProperty "ParticleFiles" "c:/temp/particles_0000.prt" --> sets the save path to a new value

XMesh is basically a MAXScript Interface that we ship with a custom scripted UI you can completely replace. Depending on whether you want to modify the shipping script (see the \Scripts folder of your XMesh installation), or write your completely new implementation, the approach would be different.

When writing your own XMesh Saver code, setting the save path is part of the process and it ensures the optimization of the sequence between frames. The method is found in the XMeshSaverUtils and is XMeshSaverUtils.SetSequenceName(). You can call showInterface XMeshSaverUtils to see all available methods and properties…

To modify the existing XMesh Saver script’s path, it might be easiest to modify the INI file storing the last settings, then open the shipping dialog. The settings are stored here:

theIniFile = XMeshSaverUtils.SettingsDirectory + "\\XMeshSaver.ini"
  "C:\Users\Bobo\AppData\Local\Thinkbox\XMeshSaver\XMeshSaver.ini"
theKeys = getIniSetting theIniFile "SavePath"
  #("EnableVersionNumber", "BaseCachePath", "ProjectName", "FileBaseName", "FileType")
for k in theKeys do format "%=%\n" k (getIniSetting theIniFile "SavePath" k)
  EnableVersionNumber=true
  BaseCachePath=C:\TEMP\
  ProjectName=$scene\$user
  FileBaseName=$auto
  FileType=.xmesh
OK

The version number is built automatically based on previously existing folders…

If you are going to write your own XMesh Saver, let me know and I will tell you the basic steps. In fact, you can take a look at the Deadline Script (XMeshSaverDeadlineScriptJob.ms) as it contains pretty much all necessary code to process XMesh saving. You just have to replace the part that reads the settings from the Job file and set your own…

3

Great! I’ll try it. I’m not aiming at writing new savers yet, so that should be enough. Thanks a bunch!

4

Worked perfectly, and I also made one for Stoke while I was at it! Thanks!