Time Range Manager

Version 2.8

Time Range Manager (TRM) allows you to save a specially formatted and named time range to then be able to later recall it to automatically adjust the scene time range to the defined start and end values.


Time ranges are stored as a collection in a SET which are then stored as a collection in a PROJECT.


The data is stored as INI files and thus makes it independent of any Max file.


The initial script was inspired by another script called "Frame Range Manager" written by Borislav "Bobo" Petrov.

Compact Mode

Use the thin bar to switch to and from a compact mode which shows only the currently loaded ranges. The R button will set the scene time range to use the start and end values defined in the selected range.

Ranges

Ranges are accessed via a drop down list and selecting a range will automatically adjust the scene time range to the start and end values.

Projects

Sets are stored as a collection in a single named project.

Sets

Ranges are stored as a collection in a single named set.

Camera Switching

Cameras in the scene will be recognized by the ranges dropdown list based on a range name prefix matching the camera name.

For example:

Camera names - Cam1, Cam 2 and Cam3


The currently active viewport will automatically switch to the camera if it is available.

Edit Ranges

Manage the loaded ranges dropdown from this rollout.

The !!! button will delete all the INI files to reset the tool back to its defaults.

The F button will add a new range called (FULL RANGE) based on the lowest start time and the highest end time within the loaded ranges.

The T button will allow up the time slider to update when the start or end spinners are changed.

FBX Export Animation

Export animations to FBX format using either the currently loaded ranges or scene time tags (specially formatted - see Time Tags section below) as the source for the exported animation name and time range.


Both options allow for exporting either the whole scene if nothing is selected, or by user selection.


The output files will be saved to the current Max scene folder.


Optionally choose some exposed FBX settings via a separate dialog.

Separate Maxfiles

Split a composite Max file containing many sequences that are animated one after another into separate Max files based on stored ranges from the TRM UI or scene time tags (specially formatted - see Time Tags section below).


The script will remove all keys on selected objects either side of a specific range then move the remaining keys within the range to start at frame 0.


The time range will then be adjusted to fit and a new Max file saved into the same scene folder as the original composite animation file.


Note: Only tested on regular controllers, CAT rigs and Biped. The use of expressions, constraints, or parametric controllers may not work.

Time tags can be defined and transferred between the TRM dialog, scene time tags and a text file.

Time Tags

This rollout is for defining your own time tags that break up the scene time range into segments for multiple animation sequences or camera shots.


Collections of ranges can be transferred between the scene time tags, text files or the loaded ranges in the dropdown list.


The "Add New Tags" section can be used to quickly generate scene time tags formatted is a specific way.

The special format for defining time tags should conform to:

name[space]startFrame[dash]endFrame


This will make them compatible with the transfer functions here and other time tag functions in TRM.