Thank you swooooop and Cricky,

I'm starting to have luck with the work-arounds.  I have human, nonhuman and prop objects doing complex animations in a detailed 3D world in a surprisingly short period of time.  That's the good side of iClone.

I'm using XML Notepad 2007 for the AML.  It's frustrating as an end user to note that the lua files have effectively the same form as AML.  Considering the short file size and very limited syntax of the Persona, why anyone would waste time adding lua and/or packed iScipt formats hurts my head.  Why don't they do something useful like the ability to output a CTS file as part of a collected clip or add a simple option in the motion editor to lock feet to keep them from sliding. If I get motivated, I may write a quick parser to change LUA to AML just so the cycle for developing animations isn't so clunky and painful.  But when the next IC5 change comes out - who knows what will or won't work after that.

RL seems to be going for the record on having the most number of file and format types for any single product.

Thanks again for the help,

John

Actually you can edit the personas to a degree using a standard windows text editor. Change the extension of the File from LUA to TXT and open it after exporting it. Once finished, just rename the edited file back to a *.lua extension and you have a new persona.

You can also set up your system file option to open LUA Files with your favorite text editor automatically, but I will not go through basic system parameters for file associations because of so many systems operating out there.

You are correct in saying that there is no Help provided by RL currently, but hopefully this helps someone should they decide to delve into editing existing persona.

Below is the persona for Chuck - Exported as *.lua NOT *.iScript

****************************************************

iObject = {
Commands = {
Idle = {
IdleCommand = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "Idle 01";
DisplayName = "Idle 01";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Idle 01";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 2 ] = {
ID = "Idle 02";
DisplayName = "Idle 02";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Idle 02";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
};
};
Perform = {
PerformCommand = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "Agree";
HotkeyID = "Perform1";
DisplayName = "Agree";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Agree";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 2 ] = {
ID = "Disagree";
HotkeyID = "Perform2";
DisplayName = "Disagree";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Disagree";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 3 ] = {
ID = "Have no Idea";
HotkeyID = "Perform3";
DisplayName = "Have no Idea";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Have no Idea";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 4 ] = {
ID = "Laugh";
HotkeyID = "Perform4";
DisplayName = "Laugh";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Laugh";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 5 ] = {
ID = "Say Hello";
HotkeyID = "Perform5";
DisplayName = "Say Hello";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Say Hello";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 6 ] = {
ID = "Surprised";
HotkeyID = "Perform6";
DisplayName = "Surprised";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Surprised";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 7 ] = {
ID = "Talking01";
HotkeyID = "Perform7";
DisplayName = "Talking01";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Talking01";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 8 ] = {
ID = "Talking02";
HotkeyID = "Perform8";
DisplayName = "Talking02";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Talking02";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 9 ] = {
ID = "Thinking";
HotkeyID = "Perform9";
DisplayName = "Thinking";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Thinking";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 10 ] = {
ID = "Idle 01";
HotkeyID = "Perform10";
DisplayName = "Idle 01";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Idle 01";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
[ 11 ] = {
ID = "Idle 02";
HotkeyID = "Perform11";
DisplayName = "Idle 02";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Idle 02";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
};
};
Move = {
MoveCommand = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "Walk";
ModeID = 1;
Type = "ForwardLRTurn";
Direction = "Forward";
MaxSpeed = 105;
Accelerate = 50;
Decelerate = 40;
RotSpeed = 50;
InitRotSpeed = 50;
ProbeDistance = 60;
PriorityMode = "Animation";
DisplayName = "Walk_Forward";
RightMenu = true;
ClipSeq = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq";
RefClipID = "Walk_start";
State = "Accelerate";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
[ 2 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq(0)";
RefClipID = "Walk";
State = "Striaght";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 0;
};
[ 3 ] = {
ID = "NewClipSeq(1)";
RefClipID = "Walk_end";
State = "Decelerate";
Delay = 0;
Loop = 1;
};
};
};
};
};
};
Clips = {
AnimationClip = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "Idle 01";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Idle\\Idle_01.iMotion";
};
[ 2 ] = {
ID = "Idle 02";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Idle\\Idle_02.iMotion";
};
[ 3 ] = {
ID = "Agree";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Perform\\Agree.iMotion";
};
[ 4 ] = {
ID = "Disagree";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Perform\\Disagree.iMotion";
};
[ 5 ] = {
ID = "Have no Idea";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Perform\\Have no Idea.iMotion";
};
[ 6 ] = {
ID = "Laugh";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Perform\\Laugh.iMotion";
};
[ 7 ] = {
ID = "Say Hello";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Perform\\Say Hello.iMotion";
};
[ 8 ] = {
ID = "Surprised";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Perform\\Surprised.iMotion";
};
[ 9 ] = {
ID = "Talking01";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Perform\\Talking01.iMotion";
};
[ 10 ] = {
ID = "Talking02";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Perform\\Talking02.iMotion";
};
[ 11 ] = {
ID = "Thinking";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Perform\\Thinking.iMotion";
};
[ 12 ] = {
ID = "Walk_start";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Move\\Walk_start.iMotion";
Priority = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "";
Node = "$";
Value = 1400;
};
[ 2 ] = {
ID = "";
Node = "$.RL_Spine01";
Value = 400;
};
};
};
[ 13 ] = {
ID = "Walk";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Move\\Walk.iMotion";
Priority = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "";
Node = "$";
Value = 1400;
};
[ 2 ] = {
ID = "";
Node = "$.RL_Spine01";
Value = 400;
};
};
};
[ 14 ] = {
ID = "Walk_end";
TargetType = "Character";
TargetNode = "$";
ClipType = "Motion";
ClipLocation = "$\\iClone Template\\Motion\\01_G5 Motion_Chuck\\Move\\Walk_end.iMotion";
Priority = {
[ 1 ] = {
ID = "";
Node = "$";
Value = 1400;
};
[ 2 ] = {
ID = "";
Node = "$.RL_Spine01";
Value = 400;
};
};
};
};
};
};


SKYPE ID: rc.650

http://city.reallusion.com/store/ModuleExpand.aspx?id=GS634545170497417354&mdid=18866

http://city.reallusion.com/ContentTag.aspx?tagname=Cricky&AuthorID=20081020688550191201#]Reallusion Store Content

" If I had Alzheimer's (Old Timers), would I know it? "

What tools are available for AML Script Editing?  The only reference I found on the Wiki is for an editor that works with iClone 3.

Thanks,

John

Thanks for the details.  It seems like the "best" solution would be for Reallusion to provide an option someplace where all the roots for a custom "collected clip" would be set to a default which would automatically align with the roots of any existing  motion without the need to build up every motion at the origin with the translations zeroized.   Maybe just making all the roots visible and allowing them to be manually aligned (or snapped) would help. 

The "Align Actor Motion" and "Reset Motion Root" check boxes in the Motion Panel seem to have a mind of their own.  I've run into big problems when building complex motions and then going to an earlier section of the project to add something like a walk along a path.  The existing positions of the character later in time get moved all over the place.

Thanks again for the hints.

What you're describing, Darren, happens to me all the time, 'cos i'm not fully conversant with the Program yet.

That being said, my amateurish workaround is to:

1) Have timeline set at 18,000 frames, to give sufficient leeway.

2) Once the Character is correctly positioned, Drag the Preview Screen Timeline Left-hand slider to that position. Then all Transforms, Commands etc prior to that, won't show.

3) Trial & Error; by clicking on all Keyframes before & after the set position, Deleting those that have the Character in the wrong position.

EG; Of the above, I've  several Characters riding horses, using  Right-Click Menu "Gallop" to selected point. But I wanted Characters to already appear seated on saddle, without the Rider Mount Right-Click Operate Menu. Moving the L/H Slider cuts that-out.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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       New Pinhead Website & Project to be announced in September 2015

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thanks Bigboss, unfortunately it's still doing the same thing....:crazy:
what probably further complicates the problem is the character is on the deck of a boat prop. So not only does the character jump back to the original x,y,z it then sinks through the boat onto the terrain. And because the boat moves, I can't 'add to terrain'.
I've even tried adding a path, which the character will follow right up until I add the walk animation from the content manager, then it jumps back to it's original position before disappearing under the boat somewhere....

I'm thinking the only solution is to finish the scene with the character still in the original position, save the project then clear all animation and save it as a new project and then join the 2 scenes together with my video editor. I intended breaking the movie up into seperate scenes anyway to keep the rendering time down, just means I'll have to cut the scene prematurely.

thanks to all for your assistance, I really hope RL does some work on the abnormalities/clumsiness of it's animation process, these sort of brick walls are what slows or even stops me from finishing projects. Things just don't work as they are explained in the user manual. According to the user manual, all this should have been avoidable by simply ticking the 'align motion' box. But of course it doesn't work

_________________________________________________________

Yes, you can use this AML on any standard iClone Character.

Cheers!

Come and visit my store by clicking on the banner below.

thanks bigboss, I'll give that a go
can I also apply that persona to the G3 clonecloth casual male ? (that's the character I'm using)

_________________________________________________________

Hi Darren,...

I added the SNAP attribute..

Load this file as an AML Persona in Dylan, then right Click, choose Move Forward from pulldown menu... Then Click with your mouse in front of Dylan, he willmove forward. Then repeat the same steps and he will continue from where he was at.

Hope this helps.

Come and visit my store by clicking on the banner below.

update:

I just had a look at the AML file for the persona and can't find the SAMPLE TRANSFORM ?
It's the neutral persona, I've attached a link to the file below

_________________________________________________________