Creating keyboard links: the true Toggle action?

[skinnytorus]

Hi, guys.

Here's an interesting problem: I'm trying to bind the bloody particle Simulation Speed value to a keyboard key. It looks like creating a simple key Toggle action isn't easy. The If Equal condition + Toggle modifier + Set real value works only one way i.e. it sets the value if the key is pressed once and then I have to bind another key for the opposite action. Is there a way to toggle (alternate) between 2 real values (0 and 1 in my case) by pressing just one key repeatedly?

All well and good, and I was just about to put up with 2 key bindings instead of 1 when another problem cropped up: if saved and closed with the particle simulation speed set to 0 the compo won't show the particles next time it's loaded (which is quite obvious. he-he ). Hence, the question: how to ensure that next time the file is loaded the value of the Simulation Speed is returned back to 1?

The test file attached. Thank you.

Best,
Skinnypt1.compo (18.9 KB)

[alex]

Hi Skinny.

You are right: Boolean toggle binding to real parameters is not an easy workflow in Smode today.
I think we should work on toReal converter or rescale modifier to allow this kind of link.

For your second point, it looks like tricky but by convension here we create a timeline with "restart at activation" launch mode owning tracks of all parameter who need to be reset at opening.

Each tracks have only one key at time 0:0:0:0 owning the wanted parameter value.

This will be played at compo opening and will discard last saved values.

Hopping this can helps

[skinnytorus]

Hi, Alex.

I think we should work on toReal converter or rescale modifier to allow this kind of link.

Thanks. I hope the next version will have it. By the way, you have several kinds of 'if' conditions, but no 'else' operator. How do you get this type of logic using the existing modifiers?

For your second point, it looks like tricky but by convension here we create a timeline with "restart at activation" launch mode owning tracks of all parameter who need to be reset at opening.

Each tracks have only one key at time 0:0:0:0 owning the wanted parameter value.

This will be played at compo opening and will discard last saved values.

I'll try that. Thanks a bunch

[alex]

Hi Skinny,

We are curently releasing the 7.7 version of Smode, so it will be difficult to modify link system now.

Link conditions are "and" operator and multiple link on the same source react as an "or" operator.
So "else" concept could be avoided for now.

For instance, I modify your compo to allow stop the speed of particle system when F5 key is down and speed is back to 1.0 when F5 is release.

This by just duplicate the link and inverting the condition of ifEqual value to true.

pt2.compo (15.1 KB)

Note that Toggle action can be removed because only concern boolean target type.
Set do the jobs.

hopping this can helps

[skinnytorus]

Hi, Alex.

Link conditions are "and" operator and multiple link on the same source react as an "or" operator.
So "else" concept could be avoided for now.

That's a very useful info. Thanks. I hope it'll soon find its way to the manual.

Regarding the modified file: What's the pupose of the Value parameter in the 'If Equal' and the other 'if' ststements? It's a bit unclear, because if unchecked, the hotkey stops working.

[alex]

Hi Skinny,
Let me try to clarify this new compo:

When you learn Keyboard controller, they have a key identifier (F5 here) and a boolean value indicating if the key is press or release.
True = pressed,
False = released.

In this compo I have two Set Link from the same F5 key.
A link apply only when all its conditions are respected.

The If Equal condition check if the input value (here F5 key) is equal to the value parameter of the If Equal condition.

if the if equal condition is respected, then the set was executed,

So here we have "Particle Start" link who set speed to 1.0 when F5 is released (False)
"Particle Stop" link who set speed to 0.0 when F5 is pressed (True)

The F5 key react here as a "pause button"

We can inverse the logic and made F5 react as a play button by inverting values of the two if equal conditions.

Hopping this will help you to better understand.

[skinnytorus]

Alex,
Thanks for the detailed explanation. So... The Value parameter ensures that the action (like Set, etc.) following the 'if' statement is applied only when True (Value ticked) or False (Value unticked) condition is met, right?

[alex]

Exactly
The actions (like Set, etc.) owned by a link are applied only when all conditions owned by the link (Equal Greater Than...) are met.

Here the input value of "If Equal" should be equal to the parameter Value of If Equal.

Here the input value is the key F5 state (True = pressed = Ticked) (False = released = unticked)

[skinnytorus]

I think I see now. Thanks again!

[alex]

You are welcome