|
|
| Scripting Language Specification |
| As of v0.95 Anim8or supports a scripting language
currently called ASL for "Anim8or Scripting Language" (until I can
think of a better name for it). ASL allows more flexible
controllers, scripted object modeling, and notably plugins. You
can add new formats for file export and define new parametric shapes
with ASL scripts. The basics of using scripts is described in the Manual. If you want to write scripts, the specification for ASL is here: http://www.anim8or.com/scripts/spec/Anim8or_Scripting_Language.html There is a new forum for script discussions. If you find any problems with the spec or in Anim8or when running scripts please let me know. If you have questions about how to write or use scripts, please post them in the Anim8or Scripts forum. Note: This is an updated spec fwith new functions introduced by the v0.97b preview on June 1, 2008. |
| Installing Plug-Ins |
To install an Anim8or plugin script:
|
| Parameteric Shape Plug-Ins | ||
 |
This plug-in makes a spring. You can scale the
size, and the number of cycles and thickness of the wire with the
non-uniform scaling tool. Other properties you can set in the
shape's dialog include the number of sides used in the polygon and the
spread between turns. This example shows how to define a new button for parameteric shape plug-ins in the left toolbar. You can make a nice looking chrome spring if you convert one into a Subdivision shape and apply an environment map. |
 |
| Object Export Plug-Ins | |
| .obj |
This plug-in exports an Object
to the .obj format. It
behaves very much like the one built in to Anim8or except that it also
creates a .mtl file. |
| .c | This plug-in exports the same C language data structures
that the built in exporter does. You can easily modify it for
your own uses. |
| Other Sample Scripts | |
| Here are some random script
examples for you to examine and experiment with. They are sort of
a mish-mash of things that the scripting language can do but I thought
you might find them interesting until I finish the language spec and
write some better ones. They are not plug-ins. However if
you store them in the Scripts directory they will be easily accessible
from the Scripts menu for you to run and edit. Note: if you give them the ".a8s" extension and store them in the Scripts directory Anim8or will parse them when it starts running. They won't be installed as plug-ins but yo will be able to see if they contain any errors by examining the command window output. |
|
| array_2.a8s |
This script adds Spheres of various sizes and
locations. |
| material_1.a8s | This script defines some new materials. You have to open
the Material toolbar in order to see what it does. |
| for_3.a8s | Here's an example of how to render
form a script. You can't save the results.
They just flash by and disappear. Don't worry, saving images is
coming. |
| cube.txt |
Define some Cubes
and edit their parameters with this one. |
| cylinder_2.txt |
Do the same for some Cylinders
but also convert one into a Mesh and another into a Subdivision Shape. |
| mesh_1.txt | Build a Mesh point by point, and face by face |
| sphere.txt | Adds a couple of Spheres, refreshes
the screen, changes the view,
and renders an image. |
| Scripts from Users | |
| Here are some scripts from
users: |
|
| Here's a web
site with a lot of useful plug-in scripts from various authors.
You can check them out yourself here: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/w.watson3/main/parameteric.html |
|
| Tyson Collins
made several useful scripts
plus a program to make icons
for plug-in buttons. His web site is http://tysonc.net/plugins/ so
check it for updates. I've mirrored his scripts here as well. |
|
| plugicon.zip |
A program to make script icons. |
| export_gm6_plugin.a8s |
This popular script exports models to Game Maker 6. format. Don't forget to copy it to your "scripts" directory to use it (like you have to do for all plug-in scripts). |
| export_cmod_plugin.a8s | Here's an export plug-in script that writes the cmod files for use with Celestia, a 3D astronomical
visulation program. Written by selden.
Here's a screen capture of Celestia
with a model exported from Anim8or. |
| cone_plugin.a8s | Here's a cone
parameteric shape. |
| torus_plugin.a8s |
Here's a torus
(also called a donut by all you Homer Simpons fans out there). |
| plane_plugin.a8s |
Here is a simple horizontal plane. If you want to study a simple plug-in script this is a good one to look at. |
| sphereinder.zip | llyr made a parameteric shape script called sphereinder
based on an idea by Syzpih that can make a wide variety of shapes. Click here for some of
the shapes it can build. |
| K_Hair.a8s | Kevaniz made this parameteric shape script to help make hair. You'll also need to put this
texture: K_Hair_Texture.gif into your texture
directory.
Here's a link to both of these files zipped together with a tutorial
video on how to use it (Right-click on the link and choose "Save Target
As" to get the file): |
| teapot.a8s | Kubajzz wrote this parameteric shape script that models the
iconic Utah Teapot. A
real classic for computer graphics history enthusiasts! |
 |
| diamond.zip | Another great parameteric shape script by Kubajzz models 7
different cuts of diamonds.
Render them using Anim8or's ART ray
tracer for a realistic gem of an image! (Don't forget to read the
ReadMe file and the Explaination.jpg to get the most out of these
jewels.) |
 |
| snailshell.a8s | Here's a great parameteric shape scripts for making sea shells and snails. Courtesy of NickE. |  |
| spline.txt chain_maker.txt chain_maker.a8s |
The v0.97b preview has some new functions that evaluate
positions along a spline.
You can use them make shapes that follow a spline like the one shown at
the right. NickE has modified the spline.txt script to make chains chains. There are two versions: chain_make.txt is a command script. To use it you define a spline and select it. Then you run the script with the Scripts->RunScript command. chain_maker.an8 is a parameteric parameter script. Make a spline and name it "chainpath". Then click the chain icon in the left hand toolbar and click in the modeling window. (The .a8s file needs to be in your scripts directory.) Parameteric scripts aren't really supposed to work this way so you need to be careful and not rename the spline. |
  |
| This page was last updated on June 14, 2008. | Copyright 2008 R. Steven Glanville |