• ZTimeLapse Rev B • Windows and Macintosh versions •

[Pixolator]

ZTimeLapseZBC1.jpg
This ZScript started with the intention of writing a basic timekeeper ZScript which can be used in Speed-Modeling sessions (such as this thread (http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=23481) ). However, the ZTimeLapse plugin is capable of more than that, the ZTimeLapse script can keep track of the elapsed active-time - but more importantly - it will also periodically grab and store thumbnails representation of the ZBrush work area.
In essence, this ZScript allows you to effortlessly produce a step-by-step pictorial representation of your ZBrush session via thumbnails. Needless to say, accompanying your ZBC posts with time-lapse images will be most appreciated by other ZBrush users who will gain new insights into your workflow and a better understanding of the steps which you have taken while creating your masterpiece!


ZTimeLapseZBC2.jpg
Installing ZTimeLapse
Revision B, Windows and Macintosh

• Click here for Windows (.zip) version (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/Other/ZTimeLapseRevB.zip) or here for Macintosh (.sit) version (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/Other/ZTimeLapseRevB.sit)to download revison B.
• Extract the zip file and move the ZTimeLapse.zsc file and the ZTimeLapseData folder into the ZStartup/ZPlugs folder. Information about the creation and use of the ZStartup/ZPlugs folder is available in this FAQ (http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=23243).
• Launch ZBrush.
If the above steps are executed properly, a new ZTimeLapse sub-palette will be added to the ZPlugin palette.

•February 4,2005: Revision A released for Windows
•February 6,2005: Revision B released for Macintosh and Windows.


Using ZTimeLapse

The script is quite simple to use...
• Click the ZTimeLapse button once to display the amount of active-time that has elapsed since the start of the recording.
• Double-click to save, pause or start a new recording.
• Post some of your time-lapse images in this thread:)


Active-Time: This script will keep track of active-time, and idle-time (such as when you leave to have some coffee:) ) will be discarded.
Tip: If you find yourself using this script frequently then you may want to CTRL-Click-and-drag the ZTimeLapse button to an easily accessible location within the ZBrush interface (i.e. the top-shelf floating-buttons area).

I am planning to add more features to this script, if you encounter any difficulties with this plugin, please let me know.

[Edit] marcus_civis has posted a ZScript timer in here (http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=23620). Thanks marcus_civis:)

[Mahlikus The Black]

Rock!

This is awesome and way more then I had in mind.
Once again, a bloody brilliant addition.

Thank you 100X

[Jason Belec]

Looks cool! But us OSX guys got second class citizenship again! :lol:

[chadtheartist]

Awesome! I wonder if you can alter how often thumbnails are saved? That would be cool for animated gif's.

Thanks for sharing Pix!

[Strannik]

It's the new level of sculpting now! Thanks!

[TomLong74]

Looks cool! But us OSX guys got second class citizenship again! :lol:

Hey, me and my Dual 2.5 G5 with _8_Gigs of ram and 23" Wide cinema
screen are 1st class first class all the way. I'm cool :cool: waiting the few
days for the others to work out the bugs. ;)

Looks like a great script, let me know when it's ready for OSX.

Disclaimer: This post in no way was ment to start OS wars. I have
multiple OS citizenships. :tu:

[andreseloy]

:tu:
Andreseloy

[ZB_Artist]

Looking forward to the Mac version.
Will it be posted here?

.

[Mentat7]

Hooowah! Pix! This will be a very handy script :)

[sephellius]

Silent laughs and neutral smiles flutter across my dull face. Script looks fun.

[Antropus]

Another GREAT idea. Thanks a lot Pixolator! :D

Cheers,
Kris

[marciani]

Hi man, every idea is a goal.
This save so much time for my step by step tutorial
Bye
Leo

[Sebcesoir]

GREAT! Thanks Pixolator!

But.. It will make our videos less impressive LOL
People use to think I was sculpting at lightspeed...
Great for turorials.. Need to test it...

[froyd]

whohoo! thanks alot, master! :D

greets froyd

[Rafael Hernandez]

Thanks for the script. Works like a charm!

[marcus_civis]

Great script! :tu: Can't wait to see what features you add...

[aurick]

Awesome! I wonder if you can alter how often thumbnails are saved? That would be cool for animated gif's.

Thanks for sharing Pix!
Thumbnails are saved automatically based upon the number that you specify as interpolated over the course of your session.

In other words, if you specify 64 thumbnails and your session lasts 30 minutes, you'll have one saved approximately every 30 seconds. If your session lasted an hour, you'd get one a minute.

The way that it works in practice is that ZBrush creates thumbnails very quickly at the start of your session until the specified number is reached. As your session continues, ZBrush starts intelligently discarding some of the older thumbnails and replacing them with new ones. The end result is that you have a picture of your entire modeling session, regardless of how long the session runs, with the number of captures that you have specified.

It's pretty slick. :)

[Grub]

I was waiting for a simple timer script, but you exceeded my expectations.
Cheers Pixolator!:cool:

[TVeyes]

Wow, this is very nicely done. I was also expecting a simple timer. Nice taster for the possibilities of plugins.

Thanks alot:tu:

[tdrs]

:tu: i like it:), but i want to ask ,could i record other zscript's action? i find , if i load another zscript,the plugin will be stopped,,,,,,:cry:

[krishki]

Wondering how you guys come up with such brilant idea. You have a team or you are the only guy in a team ??:eek: :eek: :eek:

[aminuts]

Brilliant!! Thanks for that added info Aurick!! Brilliant thinking and coding!!

[wenna]

This is such a neat script! Don't know why I would need it, but it's cool to see how much time I waste.. lol and my progression will be neat to keep track of. Once again, thanks for the neat plug-in and the software updates coming!!

[Bas Mazur]

Cool... but it's not working on the Mac (yet). Waiting for it!

[spaz8]

Really cool, cant wait for the MAC version!

[sirquadalot]

I was wondering about the delay.:D You always amaze me Pixolator, thanks a bunch. Do you have any recent doodles to post? It would be cool to see some new images of what you are up to.;)

[abxy]

wow, so now we have something set up for easy step by steps, does it get any cooler?

[hyper1]

Pixolator (http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/member.php?u=1), Thank you so... much for this script! Everybody will probably use it for the purpose intended, but I know that while I'm learning this outstanding program I will also use it to find the mistakes or time wasters that I make :lol: .

vbmenu_register("postmenu_190280", true);

[MrZankO]

Pixolator,
Thanks for another Super ZScript for the Mac Platform.
Thx, HanKO

[Eric D.]

This is just for the benefit of those Mac folks feeling left behind (a little).

The utility Snapz Pro can record sessions at any rate you like and has some fun options: follow the cursor, smooth panning, microphone or internal audio track capture... It buffers very nicely and compiles itself when you're done.

I'm not saying this competes with Frame Rate. I'm merely pointing out that you can have this functionality for other, less evolved apps.

You do use other apps, right?

[aminuts]

There are other apps?:rolleyes:

[Baryonix]

Thank's Pixolator. ;)

[Aztec...soljA]

I'll just become part of the thanking chain by saying Thx Pix... I mean wow, when would you guys stop improving Z?

Breaking the limits!

Thanks for making it more simpler and comfortable for us to work on this software.
:D

[Pixolator]

Hi:)
I have updated the first post of this thread with revision-B for Windows and Macintosh systems.

More features which will be added to this plugin in the near future. Meanwhile, please add some of your time-lapse test images to this thread:)

Thanks,
-Pixolator

[SolidSnakexxx]

Wonderful now it works on mac ;) too

Yong

[Ron Harris]

I dunno....A didnt work and I cant B to work either...grrrr..gotta be something on my end.....should I reboot the computer to make it work? Any input would be deeply appreciated.

kind regards,
ron

[jayboyd1]

Sorry, not working for me. Downloaded, copied to ZStartup/ZPlugs. Screenshots of the errors and proof that the files are in the right place, attached. System specs shown below. ZBrush v 2.02

[wenna]

Thanks again! Re-downloaded, re-installed rev.B, tested out, see thumbnails (just a quick test..2.2mins). I am definitely improving.. lol

[Ron Harris]

well got it to work..at least load...getting ready to test it.....sorry for the bother.
ron

edit....it loads and I worked al ittle test doodle to see what it would do....well I get a little strip showing one black cell....and when I click the time lapse once it always shows 1 second.....:cry:

here is a screenshot....

[DaveG]

Thanks Pixolator :tu: - both REV A and REV B load and work 100% as you say they should.

Don't have any worthwhile to post yet but will do so a bit later on time permitting (I am at work right now).

Thanks again! :D

[Bas Mazur]

Starting up Zbrush things go wrong (see pict). In ZStartup I made a ZPlugs folder.

[aminuts]

Not sure if it works the same way in macs....but

Your folder should look something like this:

the ztimelapse.zsc file is the only one that should be in the zplugs folder.....the rest of the files should be in the folder i circled in pink....as a subfolder in the zplugs folder.
otherwise it won't be able to find the files it needs to work.
I hope Mac's are similar and this helps some......if not...Pixolator?

[andreseloy]

:tu:
Andreseloy

[Bas Mazur]

Aminuts
This is exactly how I put this files, but at startup I get an error.

[Sav]

Hi guys.
Can't seem to download this at all. Any ideas why?
Cheers
Sav

[chadtheartist]

I get the same error as Baz Mazur on my Mac. I'm on Mac OS 10.3.4, Dual G4 1 Ghz, 768 MB RAM. Zbrush 2.03.

Works fine on my PC at home though.

[spaz8]

Sadly i too get the same error as Baz Mazur, and chadtheartist. I have to remove the script in order for zbrush to load properly.

Running OSX 10.3.5 - zbrush 2.03

[chadtheartist]

Hey spaz8,

Does it look like Zbrush just starts up as a blank grey screen? If it does, just hide Zbrush, and select the app from the Dock. The whole Application should appear. I found this out by accident, and just wanted to share this. Hopefully this will help. :D

[andreseloy]

Andreseloy

[sadicus]

Great Zscript!
Thanks!:D

[juandel]

same error(s) as jayboyd, bas mazur, chadtheartist and spaz reported over here (OSX 10.3.7).

with the help of chads shmoove hide-move i was able to go even one step further:

load the zscript via script-palette (go look for starter>plugs) - voila, ZTimeLapse appears in the plug-ins pallette. alas, upon clicking the ZTimeLapse button after doing a little session i got the following error:

ZScriptNote: Specified exeute-file could not be found: {FileExecute,{Var,dllPath},Do,,40}

(instead of 30 like in the first one appearing when starting zbrush)

- juandel

[aminuts]

I wonder if for mac's it's looking for the dll in the zplug folder itself. Has anyone tried dumping the contents of the data folder into the zplugs folder for kicks?

hard to tell since i don't use a mac where it says it is looking for that dll.

something to experiment with maybe til Pixolator arrives to save the day.

[aurick]

jayboyd1: Version 2.03 is the current Mac version. You need to update to that from 2.02. I have sent you an email.

Bas Mazur: Could you please post in the troubleshooting forum and also include your complete system specs (as per that forum's guidelines)?

Ron Harris: If you installed correctly, then the problem may be caused by insufficient memory. Your screen grab shows that you only have 128 MB of RAM on your system, which is below the recommended amount.

By the way, here are some screen grabs of what a fresh installation of the plugin should look like:

ZBCImage.jpg
ZBCImage2.jpg
ZBCImage3.jpg

In this example, there are no other plugins installed. It's ok for your own ZPlugs folder to have more plugins and folders, but the ZTimeLapse Data folder should not be modified by you (although the script itself will place new files here as needed). The data folder should have only three files in it when you install the plugin.

[chadtheartist]

I tried moving all of it all over the place. Nothing seems to work properly. I moved the contents of the ZTimeLapseData into the ZPlugs folder, and Zbrush loaded properly. It even loaded the plugin, but when I went to run it it said the ZTimeLapse plugin could not be found.

[EDIT]This was in response to Aminuts. I wasn't responding to Aurick's post. So all of the scripts/folders are exactly as Aurick pointed out. The original errors that were pointed out earlier are still showing up.

[ZB_Artist]

I am getting the same results as chadtheartist on my Mac G5 under MacOSX 10.3.7.
The ZTimeLapse plugin is not showing.

[Pixolator]

Hi:)
About the Macintosh version: When installed correctly, the script should be able to locate the ZPlugin; however, there may be a problem with the extraction of zip-files on Macintosh system. I have added a Macintosh-compressed file in .sit format (instead of zip format) to the first post of this thread. Please re-download the Macintosh sit file instead of the zip file.

Hope this helps,
-Pixolator

[Ron Harris]

Aurick, I have 393 megs of ram...and alot 360 of it to Z2 in the pref>mem.....where are you seeing 128 megs of ram at on the screen shot? thnx
ron

edit...screen shot of my system properties...

if there is something else I should be doing please let me know....looks like an extremely useful script for sure....

I did blank out my personal registration stuff on my sys screen shot for privacy reasons....just in case you are wondering lol....yeah like I am a private person...

any further input is appreciated...

ron

Another screen shot also show of the file tree ....do you see anything wrong with that.....???? and when I click the "latest lapse file image" I get that same little date strip as shown in an earlier screen shot....

[chadtheartist]

Thanks a lot Pix! It works perfect now. Strange that it would be the .zip causing the problems. Wierd.

ZTimeLapseImage.jpg

[ZB_Artist]

Thanks Pixolator! All good now.

[aminuts]

Ron you are missing the zbrushdll.dll file....you have the dll lib file but not the dll itself.....check and make sure its not in the plugs folder....if its there then move it back to the data folder.

the only version in the plugs folder should be the .zsc one.

[Ron Harris]

Aminuts, is that a file that was supposed to have been in the zip or already in zbrush itself? If it was part of the zip file...I just redownloaded the script again and it still wasnt there....is it something that you can send me, if it's not too much of a bother?
thnx
ron

edit...it was there but hidden, so I copied from the find files and replaced it...gonna see if that works now...brb...thnx

[aminuts]

whatever ya need to make it work Ron...let me know!

ps. check your settings for....i think I saw win98? and make sure .dll's aren't hidden. That's usually done for "safety" reasons....so ya don't accidently delete one ya need....but really there is no need to have em hidden. On the contrary it's more useful to have them visible so you can get rid of the garbage no longer being used by old programs etc.

or in this case.....finding an essential one!!:D

[Ron Harris]

the .dll was there...I unhid it and restarted z and no luck.....any more thoughts would be great.....thnx
frustratedly yours,
Ron :(

hmmmm it keeps hiding itself? when I refresh it disappears from the directory and hides again.....at this point it must be somethign I am doing wrong...how do I unhide it permanently?

thnx
ron

edit again.....just discovered how to unhide files....duh.......and I thought my hair was grey? lol....lemme give it another try...brb

[aminuts]

sorry i don't have a messenger loaded yet on this new machine to make things easier.


delete everything.....related to the ztimelapse.......except that zlapsedll.dll......move that fella somewhere safe.

then re install.......

make sure that only the .zsc in in the plugs folder proper.

and the other three files are in the data folder.

once again make sure that the dll is visible......at this point you might have old dll eg version A mixed with version B blah blah.

if it's not visible...search and make it so.

now reload zbrush and try to run it from the plugins folder only.

if that doesn't work...let me know.....i will zip up my directories and email em to ya.......of course there will be some way cool other scripts included but you can delete them if ya want to too. But at least you can try it that way.

let me know.

[Ron Harris]

thnx.....it didnt work....dunno what the problem is...does like it did before even when the .dll was hidden....I am going to assume it's because I am somehow screwing things up. I do appreciate your help....I wonder if its a win98SE issue? (My friends keep on me to upgrade my os.... lol....something about this fatman being a dinosaur) It's strange though that I can load the other scripts and they work....but then again all I do is art on the computer for the most part....It's depressing a bit but that may be because of the time of the night here...(that''s my pitiful voice talking now)

thnx for your help...
ron

[aminuts]

Ron,

not allowed pity!!

will pm you my email address and will send you the zip of my folders to see if that will do it.

perhaps too many super bowl leftovers and not enuf zombies are invading your brain at the moment and keeping you from seeing something you might be missing?:D

[Sav]

I downloaded the .sit ok this time and it all works perfectly, awesome plugin, thank you. I'm presuming that the thumbnail page image size can go up to 4096?
Cheers

Sav

[Bas Mazur]

Great job!!! :tu: :tu:
Zbrush is starting-up normal on my Mac G5!
Later I will try it out.
THANKS

[aurick]

Hi Ron,

According to the image you posted (http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/attachment.php?attachmentid=5976), ZBrush is using 51 MB of RAM and there is only 37 MB free. Since your system reports 384 MB of memory, then something else is using most of this RAM. You may be running other applications, or using faulty RAM.

Also, you're running Windows 98. This is a very outdated operating system and is probably missing some of the system calls which are needed by ZBrush or the plugin.

[juandel]

yes, plugin plugged in nicely after un-sitting it, thank you, Pixolator :D :tu: :tu: :tu:

however, thats once again a confused juandel over here: i felt like finally attempting a little modelling in zbrush and came up with a little boat:

boatbuildingZTimeLapseImage.jpg

alas, i started from scratch: 3dsphere, initialize, deformations, making polymesh, painting mask in projection master to hide points, storing morphtarget, deformation, create difference for getting a hollowed out space etc. ... believe me: sillyme couldnt do all this within 1 minute and 4 seconds :D and though its been a single session (thanks to zbrushs stability) the timelapseimage starts with the basic shape already done :o therefore i believe the 1st half hour or so has been left out of the thumbs.

or am i once again getting something wrong?

tia for any explanations

- juandel

[chadtheartist]

When did you start recording the time? From what I remember I don't think the plugin starts automatically on Z2 startup unless you set it too.

[aminuts]

It starts automatically on mine and I haven't done anything to set it. You can set it in the options within the plugin.

Juandel if I understand the way it works correctly....it takes snapshots of whatever you set it at.....default I think is 64 frames.

so if you model for 1 hour it will avg out the time and take 64 snapshots from the script at the averaged out time units.

you can test this by saving once at a half hour then resume and saving again at an hour using the same frames number.

you will see what is saved will be different.

although one would think it would start with frame 1. I have had two test where it didn't but I coulda done something stupid...am quite famous for that!!:rolleyes:

saving every step=zscript :D

[juandel]

thanks for your considerations, guys :)

well, like aminuts says i think it starts automatically - at least i didnt fiddle with the plugins settings until i was done with the session (and what i did then was doubleclicking the timelapse button only). i have been "clever" enough to record a script as well - alas, as it turns out, upon rerunning it, after initializing it starts with me "hiding" zbrush into the macs dock (thats what stupidme did for some reason - i assume to check the pluginfolders content or whatever) and then the cursor is running wild over my desktop image and pixols are pushed invisibly only :D no way zbrush could detect i was unhiding it after a glance. i assume i might be able to edit this out of the recorded scripts .txt file but mayhaps that "hiding" thing did confuse timelapseplugin as well.

- juandel

(EDIT): for herdmann (see next message): i just attached the script on how i did the basic shape of the boat (edited by deleting the HIDE-command at the beginning :D and all steps shown in timelapseimage above (too long a session and nothing worthwhile to look at)). i checked and it works fine for me, hopefully it will do so for you, too. please keep in mind that modelling never has been my forte - this shows in the many trial and errors - and in the messed up mesh :D i bet you can do better! for instance by setting out with zspheres instead of 3dspheres to have better control about the mesh. as depicted in the timelapsethumbs i went on by painting a mask (with simplebrush in linestroke) for elevating certain parts. as the mesh was too dense at the top i tried hiding the bulks there by multimarkering on a tapered cylinder as the stern or whatever it is called in english :)

[herdmann]

Juandel - really like your boat! - Could you possibly show us more detail -
and explain how you hollowed it out . The timelapse shots are so tiny...

regards H

edit:thanks juandel for posting that script, very helpful! :tu:

[aminuts]

Pixolator,

A request for a feature of this cool script that I think would help new folks to zbrush.

I am guessing of course that this program just uses the ability to record zscripts to save everything then use an algorithym to average out the time verses frames. And somehow miraculously plays back the script and snapshots at the appropriate times all in the background. quite ingenious idea.

If I am correct or close, I would like to suggest an extra option in the options menu to save the script as well. This way new folks always have a back up. And old timers have an extra sharing option.

sort of an autosave but not a mandatory one! :D

thanks for this cool script and any thoughts on this proposal.

edit: if this option is already there forgive me.....too much work, not enuf sleep puts blinders on and am thinking now I missed it somehow....:rolleyes:

[spaz8]

I dont belive the script works like that. I read, possibly earlier in this thread that the plugin fires off all the snapshots u specify "64" back to back to back as u start recording, and then smartly throws away images in the middle of the session to add new images as your modelling session lengthens.

I'm pretty sure it would be way way too cpu and memory intensive if it was making a movie of your work and then chopping it up.

[CowboyBunny]

Does this plugin work with 3.1 or is there something newwer or better out there that I'm missing?

[spaceboy412]

Would it not be possible to adapt this script to add a save .ztl function instead of images, there by creating the autosave people are looking for.