Accessing Plugin / Generator Attributes

VH1too wrote on 2/3/2003, 2:44 PM
In the API, I didn't see any refrence to the attributes of a Plug-in / Generator. Is there now or will there be a way to change the color of all Gernated Text Events on a track? In VV3 I pull up each event seperatly to make identical changes to multiple events. Being able to do in seconds what usually takes hours is where scripting pays off.

Comments

murk wrote on 2/3/2003, 4:08 PM
I don't think so, but you can change the presets programatically. So theoretically you could make a bunch of presets with different color settings and swap them out on the fly.
aboukirev wrote on 2/3/2003, 4:19 PM
Take a look at Photoshop scripting (JavaScript) and/or After Effects expressions. With a limited scripting as it is now in Vegas 4 beta, you are almost better off with external keyboard macro recording software. Creating a good, useful scripting interface for application is not an easy task, and definitely not the one that should be done at beta stage (should be designed-in on very early development stages). Let's see what we'll get...

Alexei
SonyPJM wrote on 2/3/2003, 4:45 PM

I'm afraid it will not be possible to access effect variables other
than setting a preset at a given key frame. We do certainly hope to
make this possible in the future.
VH1too wrote on 2/3/2003, 5:42 PM
That's too bad. It appears to me that you will only be able to gain a few key strokes rather than exending the functionality of the program via the current scripting interface.
I belive, contrary to some of the posts in this forum, that a scripting interface for VV is a worthwile addition. If it provides enough access to the object model within though.
aboukirev wrote on 2/3/2003, 6:41 PM
I'm working on EDL export script, and it is going to be a script because that's the only way to do it right now. The easy way would be to just know the structure of *.veg file - I don't need anything besides that file to export EDL.
So now scripting is in most part just your way to read/write *.veg file.
There is one advantage though - after modifying project(s) you can batch render them. That's where automation comes in.
So you can:
- add uniform transitions/effects for slideshow
- add your corporate logo overlay to multiple projects and render them out
- add standard credits at the end of multiple projects
- and similar tasks

Another idea: automatically insert commercials at specified intervals ;-)
You can probably even automatically cut out commercials in footage recorded from TV channel. I wonder if someone would volunteer for the task.

Alexei
VH1too wrote on 2/3/2003, 8:23 PM
Pardon my ignorance but i am unfamilliar with that TLA (EDL) ;-)
aboukirev wrote on 2/4/2003, 12:58 PM
EDL = Edit Decisions List. It's a text file format developed about 30 years ago to facilitate interface between different editing systems (I think, mostly hardware at the time). It basically describes edit operations like get video from such and such clip from timecode to timecode, place it on timeline at specified timecode. Add another clip (with similar paramters) with wipeout of specified type and length. You can specify video, audio, combined clips and some operations. No support for fancy transitions or effects. No support for generated media. But then what would you expect from that old a standard. But apparently it's still actively used because of it's down-to-earth simplicity and high compatibility. And because for professional editing it practically covers your needs.

Alexei