Learn Python the hard way 6-10

So time for some more learn python the hard way.

Ex6: more variables that can be used in place of long strings. so instead of typing the same message over and over again you can just set it to a variable and drop it where it is needed in the code.

x = "you can't go that way"
y = "sup my home skillet %s"

print x
you can't go that way

print y % x
sup my home skillet you can't go that way

print x + y % x
you can't go that way sup my home skillet you can't go that way

Ex7: added more expressions to stings and variables for instance

print "x" * 10
you will get "xxxxxxxxxx"

this can be useful for dividers

Ex8-10: just more examples of formatting and variables as well as showing the triple quotes ~

Scorpion Centaur Monster 02

So an update on the scorpion monster rig I have the basic rig and control curves all done. Now it is time to add the set driven keys and range constrains for the rig. Afterward I'll be working on a UI system to work with the rig to make working on animations smoother.

If you  have any questions or comment please share them I would love feed back.

Scorpion Centaur Monster 01

So I decided to make a bit of a crazy rig though the model itself isn't all that spectacular. For this exercises I just want to make the rig working and as crazy and fully featured as possible. With detailed control and perhaps a custom UI system for it.

So this is my progress after a couple of hours. 

By no means is this the final model it is just something for me to test out some rigging techniques.

Mirror Object Tool

So if you you use maya like me I am sure you have used duplicate special at one time or another. while it is a really nice and robust tool 9 times out of 10 I am just duplicating across an axis. So I just made a simpler and faster tool for doing just that. clicking instead of typing -1 will shave off a few seconds while working so I am pleased with it.

The Original idea for the tool I did not come up with I saw some one else have the tool on there blog and I though it would be a good excersie in making a simple mel tool.  http://ttrentlyta.blogspot.com/2011/10/mel-mirror-on-pivot-tool.html

So Here is my version free to use.

/*          *** Mirror Object Tool v 1.0.0 ***
     The tool is very simple it makes a duplicate or instance of
 the object you has selected over the pivot point in the
 "x", "y", or "z" Axis.      */
 
 // checks if there is a window with this ID in memory and if so delets it. also ' != `
 if (`window -exists M_Window`) { deleteUI -window M_Window; }

window -title "Mirror Object Tool" -widthHeight 300 100 M_Window;

formLayout -numberOfDivisions 50 myForm;
    radioButtonGrp
        -numberOfRadioButtons 3
        -label "select type"
        -labelArray3 "x" "y" "z"
        -select 1
    D_Btn;
    button -label "Duplicate object" -command "duplAxis()" myBtn1;
    button -label "Instance object" -command "instAxis()" myBtn2;
 
    formLayout -edit
     -attachForm D_Btn "top" 10
     -attachForm D_Btn "left" -50
     -attachForm myBtn1 "bottom" 10
     -attachForm myBtn1 "left" 10
     -attachForm myBtn2 "bottom" 10
     -attachForm myBtn2 "left" 100
myForm;
showWindow M_Window;
   
     proc duplAxis() {
     if (`radioButtonGrp -q -select D_Btn` == 1) { duplicate -rr; scale -r -1 1 1; }
     if (`radioButtonGrp -q -select D_Btn` == 2) { duplicate -rr; scale -r 1 -1 1; }
     if (`radioButtonGrp -q -select D_Btn` == 3) { duplicate -rr; scale -r 1 1 -1; }
}

 proc instAxis() {
     if (`radioButtonGrp -q -select D_Btn` == 1) { instance; scale -r -1 1 1; }
     if (`radioButtonGrp -q -select D_Btn` == 2) { instance; scale -r 1 -1 1; }
     if (`radioButtonGrp -q -select D_Btn` == 3) { instance; scale -r 1 1 -1; }
}

Learn Python the hard way 2-5

Time for another update before a take a short break from python. Just grinded trough lesson 2-5 while looking for extra info on python.

I has a nice run trough of pythons operators and I now know how to use it's basic math functions. The % sigh was a bit annoying but now that I know it returns a remainder that could still be useful. another useful one is the sum([x, y, x, x, y, z ]) function which just adds these numbers together instead of you having to write them all out with addition signs.

I love how easy it is to set up a variable in python. just name = int or sting and bam! you are done. there are no need for terminators or anything it is kind of nice.

If statements trough me for a bit of a look did not realize you needed to indent the lower line for it to be apart of the statement. I am a little embarrassed at how long it to me to figure that out.

the image below is from lesson 5

Learn python the hard way Exercise 0-1 done

Well I though I would document my journey of learning python by posting on this blog to help collect my thoughts on what I have learned so far. Learn Python the hard was was recommended to me by both Chad Moore and Jason Park to great Tech artist in the industry. So I just dove right in to get my bearings in the environment.

While I do have some scripting background in both Javascript, c#, and mel it was high time to learn python. In    learn python the hard way it highly recommend that you use python 2 instead of python three without explain why. Me wanting to learn the most up to date python just went along and started using 3 thinking I would not get into trouble ... I was wrong. There were quite a few syntax changes from 2 to 3 but now I see this as a new challenge and an even greater way to expand upon my learning experience. Plus who does not love a good challenge.

So I fallowed instructions and learned how to make a directory in power-shell as well as other files and some other much needed basics. Then I executed the Python code with power-shell and wallah I am well on my way.

Also print text needed to be encapsulated from python 2-3 I can understand/dig it ;D

Rigging Work 01

 This is a Rig I build for the main character in Fearless.

This rig was for the for that was for my 3D class. 

 These Rigs were not used in the game but were instead used for posing purposes in promotional material for Undertakes the 2013 Columbia college senior capstone. The character team needed to pose the character for high quality renders and wanted more use friendly posing tools instead of the rotating the bones. So I added control curves and cleaned up some of the weighting.