Sequence to image map

james adamson · December 08, 2020, 08:56:29 PM

Hi all.
I have read all the threads on importing sequences into an image map shader but with no luck.
I imported first frame then copy and pasted _%04d.jpg over the frame number in the shaders file path box but it will not read the file after doing that.
So I have the full file path but with xxx_%04d.jpg I have also tried xxx.%04d.jpg. No joy.

luvsmuzik · December 08, 2020, 09:17:53 PM

I think the number variable depends on the number of 0s in your sequence image render. I have had to use %06d with a walking sequence. Are your sequence images like 0000001, 0000002, 0000003.....etc?

james adamson · December 08, 2020, 10:04:56 PM

Hi there.
I have four digits so I thought %04d was the correct format? I will take another look. Its late I have probably made a mistake.

WAS · December 08, 2020, 10:49:33 PM

04d will be for 0000 digits, yes. But it won't change images unless it's progressed a frame. So frame 1 is image_0001.jpg, frame 2 is image_0002.jpg, and so on.

james adamson · December 08, 2020, 11:27:59 PM

Hi.
Yep thats what I have except my sequence starts at fm 400. So it goes 0400 0401 etc etc.
Its is strange because I type %04d into the path when I write the files out of Nuke.

WAS · December 09, 2020, 02:38:45 AM

Not sure if Terragen starts from closest file, or assumes files named according to frames, so it may not be working because it's starting at frame 400.

Hannes · December 09, 2020, 04:04:18 AM

Quote from: WAS on December 09, 2020, 02:38:45 AMNot sure if Terragen starts from closest file, or assumes files named according to frames, so it may not be working because it's starting at frame 400.

I guess, that's it. Otherwise it seems correct, what you did.
Try starting your TG animation with frame 400, and it should work.

james adamson · December 09, 2020, 11:47:08 AM

Hi all.
Thanks for the feedback.
My project is set to the input frame range. So it's 400-600 on the timeline and %04d on the sequence. fm 0400-0600.jpg
I must be missing something as this clearly works for you guys.
I may try renumbering the sequence and project to start at frame 0001 and see what that does.
Thanks again.
James.

WAS · December 09, 2020, 03:29:13 PM

Have you tried setting your timeline to frame 400 and pressing play?

james adamson · December 09, 2020, 04:12:11 PM

My timeline in Terragen? I am pretty sure the files are not there as I checked the preview image wotsit on the image shader file input menu.
I will give it a go right now.
Cheers.

james adamson · December 09, 2020, 04:28:49 PM

The tg timeline plays.
The preview image on the shader just shows an empty white box.
Argh.

james adamson · December 09, 2020, 04:48:39 PM

Right. Solved! I was expecting the preview image to update to the current frame. It just seems to show the first frame in the sequence which I guess makes sense kinda. So I took your advice Was, stuck the image map on a card and played through
and it works. Which means it always worked

Cheers for the help peeps.

james adamson · December 09, 2020, 05:03:54 PM

Nope.
Back in my actual scene which is 400-600 not 0-200 and it fails on the import again. So I have extended the clip so it now starts at 0000 and it works. I must be missing something basic here i am gonna blame no sleep. I have it working but its a fudge if anyone knows what I am doing wrong I would love to know. so here is what I have tried.
Actual clip 0400-0600.jpg in a project 400-600 with %04d pasted at end of import string. No joy
Rendered extra frames at front of clip so it runs from 0000 to 0600 and it works.

WAS · December 09, 2020, 08:14:48 PM

Yes, you to timeline to manage animations within the software. There is a frame input which tells you what frame it's on. You can open this from Window -> Animation Timeline too.

If you put in 400 it will set the frame to 400.

When previewing I'd use the RTP for best results that are comprehensible.

But you can also render a sequence starting from frame 400 to say frame 410 and test the results.

james adamson · December 09, 2020, 10:03:53 PM

I am just puzzled as it seems to read a sequence into the image map shader you need a sequence to start at 0.
Any other software I have used my sequence would be relative to the shot who's frame numbers would reflect their position in the overall timeline. So i would have my nuke scene for this shot running from 400-600. All elements for that shot would be rendered %04d from 400-600 in whatever app they came from and they would read. And thats what I have done with Terragen. I set my project frame range to match the nuke frame range for the same shot.
I feel I am missing something. Also it is pretty confusing that the preview frame option in the image map shader does not show the
actual frame you are on. Anyway I know now and it is working plus without the feedback I would have given up and found a different route for what I am trying to do so thanks for the help.