mcjFrameMaker
Introduction
The image above is what mcjFrameMaker produces, we will call it a Frame-Layout.
The intent is to let you quickly present one or many of your renders/images in neat fashion.
For each Frame-Layout a text file is produced which fully describes the Frame-Layout,
We will call it the Frame-Layout Specs.
So you can use the same Frame-Layout to mount other images down the road.
mcjSlideshowVideoMaker will be able to use your Frame-Layouts to produce slideshow videos.
History
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January 4th 2023 - That's the version i've been improving and using in recent weeks
November 9th 2022 19:38 - Upgrade: [Add All Images in Folder] button and easier selection of mixed image files extensions
October 29th 2022 - release This version (mcjFrameMaker2022_10_29.zip) had a bug wherein the dimensions of the image used as background was causing the Top and bottom texts to be de-centered and shrunk, this was solved by using im.smoothScale() instead of im.scale(). so as a bonus, the background image will be less jagged
October 30th 2022 5:52am Eastern - Posting the new version as mcjFrameMaker2022_10_30.zip
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Installation
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The zip package is found at the bottom of this page
unzip it in your daz content folder,
typically :
C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio\My Library
once installed, it will appear in your content library, under
The Daz Script will be found in My Library / Scripts / mcasual
note that it also contains an html file which is displayed when you click the 'Help' button
The Frame-Layout Specs
Frame Dimensions
The dimensions of the Frame-Layout produced.
ex: 1920x1080
ex: 1080x1920 ( for YouTube/TikTok )
Layout
In this first version of mcjFrameMaker the images will be mounted in grid/table fashion. The number of rows and columns of 'cells' in which your images will be mounted.
Picture(s) aspect ratio
In this first version of mcjFrameMaker all your images must have the same aspect ratio. Since you won't necessarily mount images in the Frame-Layout today, mcjFrameMaker needs to know this to create the 'cells'.
Top/Bottom Margins
In this first version of mcjFrameMaker there are two text areas. So you can place a Title at the top and your signature and credits or a long description at the bottom. By default the Top and Bottom margins are 96 pixels tall
Left/Right Margins
The width in pixels on each side of the table of image-cells. By default the Top and Bottom margins are 96 pixels tall,
Cell Spacing
The horizontal spacing between the table columns and the vertical spacing between the table rows. By default 24 pixels
Path to Background texture
if you want a background image to be displayed around your images, checkmark the Use Background Texture checkbox and use the Browse button to select it on your drive. The background image will be stretched to the dimensions of the frame, so preferably use a background with the same dimensions as the frame.
Outline Around Images
If you want an outline around all the image cells, checkmark the outline around images checkbox. You can specify here the thickness and color of that outline. By default it's 4 pixels thick and red.
Outline Around Frame
If you want an outline around the whole frame, checkmark the outline around frame checkbox. You can specify here the thickness and color of that outline. By default it's 8 pixels thick and cyan.
Collection of Insertable Images
If you want the images in the list of mountable images, checkmark the Do Insert Images checkbox. Use the Add Image to List button to select enough images on your drive to fill the image-cells of the Frame-Layout.
The Create Frame-Layout Button
This will create on your drive the Frame-Layout image and its companion text file which contains all that's needed to re-use this layout by mcjFrameMaker and mcjSlideshowVideoMaker. Once created the Frame-Layout will be shown in the Preview window.
The Preview Frame-Layout Button
This will create in Daz Studio's Temp Folder the Frame-Layout image. Once created the Frame-Layout will be shown in the Preview window.
The Load Frame-Layout Specs Button
This will load a previously produced Frame-Layout Specs (.txt) in mcjFrameMaker. Everything including the list of mountable images. So you may want to Clear the list of mountable images if you moved or deleted those images since then.
The Default Button
Sets mcfFrameMaker to its factory defaults. Note that the list of mountable images will be empty.
The Help Button
Displays the text above
The Web Help Button
Opens the web page where you downloaded mcjFrameMaker so you can get the eventual updates and read the online manual which may also get updated.
