[Bf-python] Generate NLA Strips with Python

Joseph Gilbert models at paposo.com
Wed Apr 7 05:08:27 CEST 2004


	My feeling about this is that there needs to be a complete NLA module.
This module should deal with actions, action Channels, action Keys, NLA
strips, etc.  There are reasons (I see) for doing this:
1. The action channels/NLA strips and their keys can be edited (even if it
may be difficult to test/set the active strips - there's no reason we can't
get inventive in the python modules). They can be duplicated, set their
dloc, etc values. Keys can be removed, manipulated, etc.
2. The armature module deals mainly with armature datablocks. Although these
are related, setting action channels/poses and NLA strips, I feel it should
be at least kept in a separate source file (even if it's internal only)
simply to separate poses/grouping/etc away from the main armature datablock
access.
3. Once a function is in a source release, changing it later will ultimately
break old scripts. So if an NLA module is developed later and this function
is moved, it will cause problems.
	It would seem to me that a single function for adding an action strip,
imbedded in the armature module, is not a long term solution. I also don't
think that any changes to the .c src/ files are necessary. This can be
simply added to the module as a callback.
	It would be my suggestion to add a new NLA module. It could simply contain
1 prototype (for now) (and maybe a callback), and  eventually other
developers could add addition functionality regarding armature animation to
this source file.
	p.s. All new python modules need updates to the MSVC projectfiles 6.0 and
7.0 and the SCons build file, but not the make file. (and also some
documentation :)
Keep up the good work!

Joseph





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