Modo Scripts
mm_LWMotionIO
Posted by on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 (GST)
 
Requirements: These scripts require access to python librarries that are not shipped by default with Modo. In Windows it is advisable to install  a full distribution of Python 2.4.3 such as the one from ActiveState
 
 
Zip contains 4 files:

mm_LWMotionIO.cfg - goes in user configs directory
mm_LWMotionImport.py - goes in user scripts directory
mm_LWMotionExport.py - goes in user scripts directory
mm_ModoUtils.py - goes in user scripts directory
 
 
Setup:
 
Copy the 3 files from the archive into the correct directories. Restart Modo.
 
To add the UI to a pallette or window, create a new window from the layout menu. Click on the arrow at the top, right corner of the new window and select 'Form View' from the menu. Now right click on the title (the dark band at the top of the window that now says 'Form View' and select 'mm_LWMotionIO' from the menu. Your window should now look something like the following:
 
 
 
 
Usage:
 
Importing a lightwave motion: The script will load and apply data from a Lightwave motion (.mot) file to the currently selected item in the item list. Ths cript knows the difference between mesh layers, cameras and lights, so it won't for example, attempt to apply scaling channel information to a camera. If you do import a motion file containing scaling data to a camera, the script will apply the channels that it has in common. As you can see from the screen shot above, you can also manually select which channels you wish to load from the file.
 
Exporting a lightwave motion: The script will export the motion channels for the currently selected item in the item lost to a Lightwave motion (.mot) file. Checking the 'baked export' box will bake and save out the motion as individual frame values.
 
 
Note:
 
There is currently no acceptible (read accurate) way of translating curve control parameters between Lightwave and Modo. If you want your motions to appear exactly the same in both applications it is advisable to bake them in Lightwave prior to exporting or chck the 'baked export' box in Modo if exporting from there.
 
 
Add any comments, questions, suggestions etc as comments to this article. You will need to be registered as a member and logged in to do that.