mcjTracerv2
for DS 45
Introduction
This is a version of the existing mcjTracer plugin which adds the ability to display animation paths
In case there's bugs in the new version, i leave the old version(s) of mcjTracer as they are
https://sites.google.com/site/mcasualsdazscripts2/mcjtracerds45
and
https://sites.google.com/site/mcasualsdazscripts/mcjtracer-the-line-thing
mcjTracePath the companion script that creates paths for mcjTracer
http://sites.google.com/site/mcasualsdazscripts/mcgtracepath-for-mcjtracer
also, to make your animation life easier get the setInterpolation script
http://sites.google.com/site/mcasualsdazscripts/setinterpolation-for-ds2-3
Installation
you will find the plugin at the bottom of this web page in the "attachments" section
mcjTracerDS45V2x32.dll for Daz Studio 4.5 32 bits
mcjTracerDS45V2x64.dll for Daz Studio 4.5 64 bits
this dll must be placed it in your Daz Studio 4.5 plugins folder
typically
the 32-bit version of the plugin ( mcjTracerDS45V2x32.dll ) goes in C:\Program Files (x86)\DAZ 3D\DAZStudio4\plugins
and the 64 bit version of the plugin ( mcjTracerDS45V2x64.dll ) goes in C:\Program Files\DAZ 3D\DAZStudio4\plugins
Old School Use ... Tracing Objects and Figures
Please refer to mcjTracer for DS4.5's manual for instructions concerning the display of objects
https://sites.google.com/site/mcasualsdazscripts2/mcjtracerds45
Tracing Animation Paths
Select the node to be traced
Example: we select a Null node named "tip", this node is parented to Aiko3's index tip
create the mcjTracer node
using Daz Studio's "Create" menu
Select the mcjTracer node
using the Daz Studio's Scene tab
Enable the Track Mode
in the Daz Studio's Parameters tab you should now see the mcjTracer node Parameters
go in the "Track" category and turn "Track Mode" on
Enable the "Per Animation Frame" option
by default the mcjTracer displays the path of the target node only if the target node has keyframes
but in our example, It's Aiko3 which will have keyframes, the "tip" node is simply following Aiko3's hand
Starting to get something
we see the tip's path but it's a dashed line
Turn on the "Treat Vertices As One Long Line" option
in the Geometry section
Got it !
i changed the mcjTracer trace surface color to red and increased the Edge width
modulating the line width
in the Track section of the mcjTracer parameters, turn on the "Use XScale as Width Control" option
animate theXScale of your target node ( in our example, the "tip" node )
Important warnings:
Keeping in mind that this is a free plugin ...
As new versions of daz studio are issued, this plugin may cease to function. And updates may not be forthcoming. Wireframes / lines created by mcjTracer in old scene files will disappear.
If, following the installation of mcjTracer, your daz studio crashes, then you should remove it from your plugins folder