Loosing changes on PSD reload

Discuss issues pertaining to the Creature Animation Editor here.
Post Reply
pg_interactive
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:42 pm

Loosing changes on PSD reload

Post by pg_interactive » Thu Mar 15, 2018 4:02 pm

Hi,

Is it possible to avoid:
1) Loosing weights of (already-weighted, same, same way named) Meshes/Mesh regions, after PSD reimport, that contains slight changes, for example:
A) PSD with same character, same items, but a new weapon was added to character [which was previously empty handed, already meshed, weighted, and animated])
B) PSD with same character, in which, character's "leg" mesh/layer changed slightly.

2) Loosing all Region Motors (all Region Motor animations) after PSD reimport - where the Meshes in question did not change at all (some other/non-animated mesh/psd layer was added/changed in the reimported PSD).

Would like a suggestion on how to update existing PSD assets and retain weighting/animation/etc changes.

Thanks

pg_interactive
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:42 pm

Re: Loosing changes on PSD reload

Post by pg_interactive » Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:04 pm

Hi,

I will ask again, as there has been no response yet.

Is the silence - regarding answer to my question - 1) confirmation of the fact stated in question, or 2) is there a way to circumvent the issue using a solution we're not aware of (and if so - what would that be), or it simply 3) is not an issue, or other (and what would that be).

The question is regarded important, please forgive the double posting.

chong
Posts: 1178
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2015 2:21 am

Re: Loosing changes on PSD reload

Post by chong » Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:44 pm

Hello,

Sorry your post was just lost because it was GDC week and too many things were going on. Apologies for that.

1) Unfortunately right now, if you do a full PSD re-import, regions will be re-meshed and yes you will have to go in re-install any Region Motors. You can however click Sync Meshing to Rig Regions to sync up the new regions ( named the same way with your old ones ) to the old regions. This will be automatically re-weighted but if you need specific manual weighting, you will have to re-weigh.

2) There is however another option. This is probably not a complete solution but might offer a solution. If you just want to add in new parts, in Mesh Mode click on: Import -> Add/Insert New Image Part to add in a single new image into the current image atlas. You can then drag the new image part around ( find a free space on the texture atlas ). Then once it is placed in, click on Create New Custom Polygon Mesh to make a new polygon mesh around your new image part.

3) You can directly open the png atlas in your folder ( find the png with the latest timestamp ) if you want to use some other image program to add your body part. Open that and put your new part in then save the PNG. Now you can follow the steps in 2) to just create a mesh for that new part and not worry about your region motors getting replaced. You can even directly edit existing body parts this way of course using your external program.

P.S: Your vertex attachment update is going to be published with the upcoming updates. UE4 and Unity plugins have already been updated.

Thanks

chong
Posts: 1178
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2015 2:21 am

Re: Loosing changes on PSD reload

Post by chong » Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:05 pm

Ok another quick update for you:

I just added in an automatic mesh motor sync up feature in the upcoming update. Here is what you need to know:

1) After you receive the new update ( in a week+ or so, that is the goal at least ), make sure you open up your current project, go into Animation mode and load up each and every animation clip you have. Then re-save your entire project. This is because some new data have been added to the file format to help do this automatic sync up. This is only required for old projects, new projects moving forwards will just work.

2) Now when you go into Rig Mode and Remove + Add new regions and rename them to match the old region name you removed, their corresponding mesh motors should automatically be retained and synced up when you enter Animate mode. There are some caveats, the Mesh Physics Motor, Mesh Custom Poly Motor and Mesh Control Points Motor will not be synced up and be lost. This is because they operate directly on mesh vertices so a new mesh will not work with them. The other mesh motors should automatically sync up with their original animation data transferred over to the new mesh region.

Thanks

pg_interactive
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:42 pm

Re: Loosing changes on PSD reload

Post by pg_interactive » Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:34 pm

That is fine, and thank You for the throughout reply. I shall apply your recommendations, and post back in case of lack of success.

EDIT: Thank you for the update!

Post Reply