Create TransPoser Objects

This is a feature of EDAP Tools Premium

Functionality

Creates 5 types of EDAPT Objects: Move Transformer, Horizontal Scale Transformer, Vertical Scale Transformer, T‑point and Pose Anchor, and layers for them, called Transformers, T_point and PoseAnchor.

Alternatively, Transformers, T‑points and Pose Anchors can also be created via the dedicated buttons in SMR Helpers panel – , , , and .

Transformers

Transformers are controllers of non-hierarchical groups of elements on the Stage. An element can belong to multiple Transformer Groups, thus allowing the creation of logical structures, which facilitate the use of parallactic displacement and perspective foreshortening to achieve 2.5D effect with digital cutouts.

There are 3 types of Transformers:

Move / Rotate
Scale Horizontally / Skew
Scale Vertically / Skew

Transformers are operated by KineFlex.
Dragging a Transformer with the KineFlex tool will transform the elements of its group in the following way:

Move Transformer
Dragging (no modifier) will result in the group following the movements of the cursor.
Shift-dragging will restrain the movement to the horizontal or vertical axis in the current container's coordinate system.
Alt-dragging will rotate the group, using the T‑point in the top-most symbol as a center of rotation. If a T‑point is not present, the center of the group's bounding box will be used instead.

Scale Transformer
Dragging (no modifier) will result in the group being scaled horizontally or vertically, depending on the transformer's sub-type, using the T‑point in the top-most symbol as a center of transformation. If a T‑point is not present, the center of the group's bounding box will be used instead.
Shift-dragging and Alt-dragging will skew the group, using the T‑point in the top-most symbol as a center of transformation. If a T‑point is not present, the center of the group's bounding box will be used instead.

Clicking on the three dots button [ ··· ] with KineFlex will pop the Manage Transformer Group dialog.

Transformers can manipulate elements placed on locked layers, which is especially convenient when using masks.

Additional actions:

With one Transformer selected, executing Smart Transform 1(for­ward) will unlock the group's layers, select the elements and place the Transformation point over the T‑point.

With one Transformer selected, executing Smart Layer Lock Shift+F3(unlock down the SMR chains) will unlock the group's layers.
With one Transformer selected, executing Smart Layer Lock Ctrl+F3(lock down the SMR chains) will lock the group's layers.

With one Transformer selected, executing Convert To Keyframe Advanced X will create keyframes for the group's elements. (Please note: This feature is not available in Flash 8.)

T‑point

T‑points are placed inside symbols and serve as a user-defined group Transformation point.
When multiple T‑points are present in any given Transformer Group, the one on the top-most layer is used.
T‑point layer stack order can be overridden via a Pose Anchor, snapped to any T‑point in the group.

Hiding the T_point layer will disable the T‑point. In this way users can have multiple T‑points on separate layers in a symbol and easily switch between them.

Pose Anchor

Pose Anchor serves as a pin around which a pose is built during a TransPose operation.
Pose Anchors work in tandem with T‑ponts. While T‑points are internal to the elements, Pose Anchor is external. It has to be snapped over an existing T‑point inside an element and only then it becomes an anchor around which the TransPose operation will occur.

For example, a common use of Pose Anchor would be to pin the left or right foot and then TransPose, thus avoiding any sliding of the pinned foot.

Pose Anchor can be disabled and enabled by toggling the visibility of its layer on or off.

Pose Anchor can also be used to 'pin' a specific T‑point in a Transformer or RC Slider groups and override the typical layer stack order, where top-most T‑point serves as a transformation point for the group.

More information about the use of Pose Anchors can be found here: TransPoser workflow

Naming and customizing Transformers:
Users can enter the Transformer symbols and name them, using the Text tool.
They can also give them a Tint and change their relative size with the Free Transform tool.
When inside a flipped container, press the Straighten Controllers button in SMR Helpers panel to make text easily readable again.

Suggested use

Control of complex non-hierarchical structures, usually placed inside synced containers.
The most common use case would be a face rig, where individual facial features are symbols, each on its own layer. These, alongside various masks, can be logically grouped to be moved in relation to one another to achieve a sense of turning in space, and also various facial expressions.

Where does it work?

Stage

EDAP Tools shortcut

Shift+F7 (invokes the object creation dialog)

Notes

To function Transformers must always be placed on a layer called Transformers; T‑point must always be placed on a layer caller T_point. Multiple transformer layers can exist.

Default size and color of the Transformers can be set from EDAPT Control Panel or Quick Settings F12.

All EDAPT Objects, such as Magnet Targets, Center Markers, SMR Effectors and so on are placed inside a Library folder called EDAPT objects.

Do not rename, move or delete this folder. It should always stay in Library's root. 
An in-depth article about EDAPT Objects is available at this link.

Known issues

System Clipboard interference
A known issue with all versions of Flash and Animate is that data stored temporarily in the System Clipboard can be exposed to interference by other programs running at the same time as Flash/Animate. This can cause an error during EDAPT Object creation or insertion.

If you see any error messages or if you experience problems with creation or insertion of Transformers, T‑points or Pose Anchors, please, follow this link.

Video demonstration


All our videos are 1080p. If for some reason full HD is not available here, try watching them on YouTube.

This command is part of the Flanimate Power Tools package. Get the latest version from Downloads.
 
Comments

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply