[Tutorial] Animator Quick Start

mgfranz

Ok, it took a while, but I got it figured out. I had to create a variety of transitions, once I placed the objects in the correct location I backed out the object to a location off-scene, then just reversed the movements.

Fixed the screws in place
Backed them off
Moved them off scene
Created transition to move them back
Created transition to move them again
And again.

Not real pretty, but it works. Still may play with some linear motions, but I got it solved. Not sure why the graphics are pixilated, .avi sucks, .mp4 is fine. I'll play with FPS.

Film 1.avi

jgb

Looked OK to me. You did what I was going to suggest, but didn't as I got sidetracked out (wife!) as I was going to reply.

fredo6

It's in my plan to address these types of movement, with a Move-to tool (also to be used to align objects in bulk).

Fredo

snapkin

Hey, thanks for this excellent plugin.

I got a problem with that ffmpeg I download it and it works.
but when I get in to do Extension i push the find the ffmpeg nothing happens.
maybe you know how to fix it?

fredo6

@snapkin said:

I got a problem with that ffmpeg I download it and it works.
but when I get in to do Extension i push the find the ffmpeg nothing happens.
maybe you know how to fix it?

This is a bug which I fixed in LibFredo6 8.4g, just released.

Fredo

solo

I need some help, I cannot seem to be able to get multiple objects to follow a path properly, anyone know how to achieve this?

ntxdave

@solo said:

I need some help, I cannot seem to be able to get multiple objects to follow a path properly, anyone know how to achieve this?

[attachment=0:14vt9cpa]rotation.JPG[/attachment:14vt9cpa]

If they do not need to move indepently, how would it be to group them?

fredo6

@solo said:

I need some help, I cannot seem to be able to get multiple objects to follow a path properly, anyone know how to achieve this?

The Follow Path tool (like other tools) allows to select several objects (keep CTRL depressed).

Fredo

cgalaon

I've got the same problem in Sketchup 2018
I copied the ffmpeg.exe and executed it in the directory C:\Users(User Name)\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 2018\SketchUp\Plugins and in the directory: C:\Users(User Name)\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 2018\SketchUp\Plugins\Fredo6_!LibFredo6
WITH NO AVAIL!!!
Any help, please?!

This is the error from Ruby console:

Error: #<Errno::ENOENT: No such file or directory @ dir_s_mkdir - C:/Users/Chip/Desktop/TPOS/Animator Videos/Pressure gauge - 21-Sep-2018 09-57-10 - Gauge 3/4>
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6videomanager.rbe:921:in mkdir' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6videomanager.rbe:921:in movie_create_folder'
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6videomanager.rbe:831:in movie_top_generate' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_animator/animatortool.rbe:2204:in movie_dialog_call_back'
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_animator/animatordialogvideogeneration.rbe:381:in call' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_animator/animatordialogvideogeneration.rbe:381:in notify_result'
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_animator/animatordialogvideogeneration.rbe:449:in on_close' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_animator/animatordialogvideogeneration.rbe:412:in block in dialog_create'
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:583:in call' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:583:in j_onclose'
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:293:in block in create_dialog' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:322:in call'
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:322:in close' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:322:in close'
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_animator/animatordialogvideogeneration.rbe:460:in close_validate' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_animator/animatordialogvideogeneration.rbe:1251:in param_dialog_callback'
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:752:in call' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:752:in j_action'
c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:634:in j_callback' c:/users/chip/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/fredo6_!libfredo6/body_lib6webwdlg.rbe:622:in block in j_dispatch'

fredo6

Is "Pressure gauge - 21-Sep-2018 09-57-10 - Gauge 3/4" the name of your file? If so, then 3/4 is probably creating an issue, as '/' is used as a folder separator.

Fredo

cgalaon

@migmat said:

PROBLEM GENERATING VIDEO with ffmpg.exe INSKETCHUP 2013 (Works Animator for this versión?)

1- Animator Beta Works OK
2- Install ffmpeg.exe in LibFredo6 (disapear the red text to Find the ffmpeg.exe)
3- Make a simple animation that Works fine in preview
4- Try to generate a video with defaut parameters. Push the button "Test Image" and also work
5- Push the button "Generate Video" and NOTHING HAPPENDS. Sketchup continues inside the animator plugin. I can exit and star again the plugin,but nothing happends.

I instal the two versión of ffmpeg.exe, the last and the 3.2 (more stable).

Thanks in advance

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!

M8, I had the same problem until I figured it out. When you name your "Film" in Animator, DON'T USE symbols like the followings (the ones that Windows files creator wouldn't allow it either): \ / : * ? " <> and |. Change the name using other symbols (all the rest, the allowed ones) and TACHA!!
Regards to all readers and SU/Animator users. Chip

CiscoNA

I can not find the button of the Animator plugin in Sketchup 2018. Is it visible in my extension manager but I can not open the plugin. What do i need to do?

fredo6

@ciscona said:

I can not find the button of the Animator plugin in Sketchup 2018. Is it visible in my extension manager but I can not open the plugin. What do i need to do?

Did you install the companion library LibFredo6?

Auressalmi

Hi!

I did a quick animation and tried to make it mp4-video, but it fails every time?
Animation runs fine on Sketchup and video render does open and work, but when its done
MP4- button is red and says "error in the video file generation".
I have tried different setting and FFmpeg.

I have Windows 7, Animator 2.3c and sketchup 2017

Greetings from Finland - Juho

fredo6

Juho,

I would need that you post or PM the model to me to investigate.

Fredo

Auressalmi

Thanks for quick answer!

Here is the file, do you need something else?

Edit Tested on different model, same error message.

-Juho

Hammastanko_Sähköohjaustehostin.skp

fredo6

Strange. I can generate the movie in Natural mode (i.e. without rendering).

Are you trying with a rendering software ?

Film 1.mov

Auressalmi

I have followed instruction from the page 1. and i'm using all the same software's ect.

I don't fully understand what you mean with rendering software, but i'm using Animator only, nothing else.

I have tried different things here and there with no success.

-Juho

fredo6

I fixed the issue with the generation of video via recent versions of FFmpeg in LibFredo6 - v8.7f - 10 Jan 19.

This is compatible with older versions of FFmpeg too.

So if you have problem with the video generation (red button MP4), then make sure you updated LibFredo6.

VeskoArch

Hi Fredo !
First wonderful work on all the plugins and especially on this one!
I was bugging myself with some issues regarding the plugin but overall I've managed to understand the principle of it. However there is still something that bugs me and I'm not sure how to fix it:
I have made a sequence - then I've generated a video and everything is good. I've closed sketchup and reopened it but all the objects (groups) that had an APPARITION function disappeared and wont show up when the sequence starts. I've checked the "Outliner" and those object were not listed there as well. If I purge all the sequences on the animator everything comes back as it is - but I have to redo the whole thing again.
I've tried all the things i can think of but no luck.
Has anyone else experience such a thing.
Sincerely,
Vesko Mutafchiev

PS: Is there any option on the Kinematic constraint that connects several objects and move them one by one and a different span of time - for example plates connecting one after the other. I've done this with regular movement tool, I just want to see if I can save some time.