Action GMask question.

[adamt]

I'm working inside an Action node and using a GMask. 

Is there an option that does the same as the "Constant Shape" option in the Batch schematic GMask?  I need to lock the shape, but as the mask was adjusted on a different frame its adding animation keyframes that i do not want.

I tried the Lock button but that does not seem to stop the animation from occuring. only way i have found requires going into animation curves window and selecting the keep button...surely theres a more efficient way than that?

adam

[Grant.Kay]

Hi Adam,

I re-created your situation with a gmask in Action using Flame 2020.    

The gmask should not pick up any animation keyframes if auto-key is off.    There should not be any reason to have a "Constant Shape" option like the legacy gmask tools.

I am not sure why your gmask is still creating animation even with auto-key off.    Can you check to see if the gmask has any keyframes in its animation shape channel?

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

Regards

Grant   

[adamt]

Hi Grant,

i often work with AutoKey on, so the ability to remove or lock a Gmask after the fact is definitely desirable. Your questioning the need for such a feature answers my question - obviously it's not an option in this tool. Pity - Constant Shape is a very quick way to cancel out unwanted mask changes or lock it to the current state.

The Shape channel does have the keyframes, and its this that gets sorted when i use the Keep button in animation channel.

thanks

Adam

[Grant.Kay]

Hi Adam,

The legacy gmask tool is actually the odd one out when considering general animation in Flame.  For years prior to the Action Gmask, artists often complained that even with auto-key off in the legacy gmask tools, their gmask would still animate.   It was a separate animation toggle in the toolset and is the reason why the constant shape toggle exists.  

The Gmask in Action and the Gmask Tracer follow the standard animation conventions within Flame using auto-key.  You animate with auto-key on and you don't animate with auto-key off.  This is the same for any animation channel or property.

If you have already animated the mask (by accident or not), you can go to the mask shape channel in the animation editor and navigate to the frame when you want to keep the shape you have adjusted.    Withe the shape channel selected, you can click the KEEP button to keep the keyframe under the positioner and delete the rest.   This will make the shape constant through out the clip.   I would that suggest you delete the current keyframe which will keep the shape but remove the animation curve.   This means that when you adjust the shape with auto-key off, it will move and no animation will be created.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

Regards

Grant