Task Workspace


Task is for recording modeling functions used on Mesh & Tin objects. Once the functions have been recorded they can be played back on other Mesh or Tin objects. There are many instances were task will greatly increase productivity.

Using the same modeling functions on different types of objects: sphere, cube,cylinder, ect...


Since the task file can be edited, the same shaped objects can be made with slight variation.


For general functions which are used in many projects, like painting eyes.



Information Recorded in A Task File

All Brush Properties

All Color Properties

All FX Percentages

All Height map Setting

Morph & Fusion Options

Tools That Can Be Recorded in A Task File

Tool Brushes

FX Tools

HeightShop Tools

Morph Tools

Paint Tools

Mapper Tools

Undo/Redo functions will be recorded.
Paint eye dropper tool will not be recorded

Information Not Recorded in A Task File

Height Map Images

Morph Targets

The task file will use the current image in the Height Map Window when a task file is played back. If the image has been changed it will use it when playing that recorded HeightShop function. If an image is not loaded in the Height Map Window then no changes will be applied to the object for the height map function.

The same applies to Morph Targets, the task file will use the current objects in the morph target windows. If no targets are loaded in the windows than no changes will occur when the task file plays that function.

If two or more Height Maps or Morph Targets were used in a window when recording a task file, the Begin and End options will need to be used to stop the task file from playing back, at the point where the window changes were made. Then manually change the object or image to the one used in the window when recording the task file.

Tools That Can Not Be Recorded in A Task File

Mask Tools

Materials

Biospheres

Wax Tools

Tin Tool Sets

Composer Tool Sets

When an Object has mask applied to it, the mask portions will not be effected when a task file is played on it.

The Task Palette

Before Recording

While Recording

After Recording

The File option are for loading, closing, saving, recording and playing task files. These options can be accessed from the File drop down menu or by using the VCR buttons at the bottom of the palette.


Insert: is used to load an existing task file.
Eject: removes the current task file from the palette.
Record: opens a save dialog to name and save the task file. Once it has been named and saved the palette is in recording mode.
Record On: A red record marker is displayed above the button to indicate recording is on.
Play: plays back the task file on the current object in the modeling window.
Stop: stops the recording process only. ( for recording only, does not stop the play back )
Pause: pauses the recording process only. ( for recording only, does not pause the play back )


The Edit options are for editing the content of the task file and for editing the way the task file is played back.


Edit: brings up the edit menu for the selected task function.
Begin: sets the starting point when playing back a task file. Select a task function then hit Begin Button.
End: sets the ending point when playing back a task file. Select a task function then hit End Button.
Pause: deletes the selected task function from the file.

Selecting a Task Function

Task functions are selected by clicking on one. The selected function is represented by bold type.

When begin and end options are used the functions that will not be played are grayed out.


Editing Task Functions

There are five types of editing menu, for editing functions in the task file. Depending on what type function is being edited will determine which menu is used. The menus are Brushing, FX, Paint, HeightShop, and Morph.

Brushing: menu is use for all brush tools found in the various modeling workspaces.


Tool: option determine which type tool is used. Any brush tool can be selected from the drop down menu.
When HeightMap Fusion or Morph Fusion is selected an image or morph target has to be loaded in the proper window in the HeightShop or Morph workspace.

Brush Profile: brings up the edit brush menu, to edit the shape properties of the brush.

( see Brush Palette Tutorial for using the Edit Brush Menu )

Parameters: is where all the properties of the brush are set.


The first drop down menu is for selecting the brush mode.

The second drop down menu is for selecting the symmetry.

The Pressure option sets the pressure applied by the brush by adjusting the slider. This also sets the direction, with negative values pushing inwards and positive values pulling outward. The box needs to be enabled with a check before exiting the menu for pressure changes to take effect.

The Size option sets the radius of the brush, like pressure the box needs to be enabled with a check before exiting the menu for size changes to take effect.

The Flux option sets how consistent the pressure flow is emitted from the brush. The lower the value the more intermittent the flow of pressure becomes.

Paint: any color used by the brush can be altered, by adjusting the red, green, blue sliders, or opening the OS color selector for choosing a color.


HeightShop: options are for adjusting the way the image in the heightmap window are used with the fusion brush.


Channel options determine which color channel of the image are used and if the image's alpha channel is used.

The Brightness and Contrast sliders effect the grayscale values of the image.

Morph: the morph option determines which target window is used with the morph fusion brush.


FX Menus: All FX tools have there own edit menu ( except Rotation which can not be edited in the task file ). Tools that only are applied with no color or edit options in FX, only have a percentage value slider to determine the amount of effect applied. And can be edited by changing the value of the slider.


Tools that have color option in FX, have the color options along with the value slider when editing their functions in task files.


Tools that have edit options in FX, have the same edit options along with a value slider when editing task files.
PaintFill: This menu is for the bucket tool in paint, color used by the bucket can be altered, by adjusting the red, green, blue sliders, or opening the OS color selector for choosing a color.


HeightMaps: The HeightMap menu is for the three mapping tools in HeightShop.


Controls the amount of height mapping being applied.

Determines which mapping mode will be used.

Channel options determine which color channel of the image are used and if the image's alpha channel is used.

The Brightness and Contrast sliders effect the grayscale values of the image.

Morph: menu is for the morph tool.


The Original ( object being morph ) and each target window has it's own strength value slider.

These options enable ( check ) or disable the specified target window.

Tools That Can Not Be Edited:

FX: Rotation Tool
Mapper: Drag, Scale, Planer, Cylindric, Spheric.



This interface tutorial is written and provided by : Stephen Ray