Block V3 Web Page Has Been Updated

Hi folks,

I have updated the web page of Block V3. I have added a demonstration video as well. You can check it out at it's web page.

Block V3 Node Based Rigging Application

Well, I am posting slower than I am developing. Last week I have posted regarding the Block V2 when I was about to release the third one. So here it is!

Since this is a major update I have edited the description as well, you can find it below or at the related page.

Block is a node based application specifically designed for task building. I have developed the application by using Qt frame work both in C++ and in Python.

Standalone version has been specifically designed for batch and system related task building while the PyQt version has been specifically designed for rigging and animation tasks in Autodesk Maya.

Block allows users to create nodes which are driven by any API developed by you or third party. Created graph can be run within the Block application or attached to any batch process as needed.

Reusable nodes benefit entire production team from modeling to rendering while it’s bringing the cost down. It’s visual, fast and very easy to use. It’s also extremely flexible to handle any kind of work type thanks to its scalable API.

We use the Block on our productions mainly for following tasks;

• Rigging pipeline
• Asset publishing
• Rendering pipeline
• Batch processes
• Automated & repeated tasks

While I am using it for;

• Doing system related tasks like renaming files (for personal work as well)
• Compiling C++ codes
• Sending email if required by the conditions I created

Feature List

• Multi-Threaded
• Content and data aware structure.
• Dedicated attribute fields for types.
• Arrays of data types.
• Array capabilities for built-in Autodesk Maya types.
• Data and code export abilities for additional pipeline purposes.
• Node integration with Autodesk Maya.
• Node creation integration for Autodesk Maya.
• Layers.
• Categorized blocks.
• Reporting.
• More built-in nodes.
• More flexible outliner.
• Color representation of data Types.
• Fancy node representation.
• Connection shape options.
• Full screen mode.
• Additional visual improvements.
• Many others…

 The features above are also added to the API.

Data Types

Block is a data and content aware system. Single and array types of attributes are supported. Following data types are available. 

• str: string
• int: Integer.
• float: Float.
• bool: Boolean.
• enum-str: String enumeration.
• enum-int: Integer enumeration.
• mayaNode: Data holds Autodesk Maya node(s).
• Generic: Generic type is developed for handling any other kind of data type not listed above. This type is treated as typeless structure. You can connect or set any kind of data on them. Nodes intuitively convert it to required data type.

Attributes and Content Aware System

I have introduced several new cool features on the attributes in this version.

Attribute Features

Attributes may require additional features like browsing a file, directory, selecting a node in Autodesk Maya, even components like faces, edges, etc. So I have introduced feature set for attributes to offer more flexibility interaction.

Available features appear along side of attributes in the editor when a node selected. For instance; if an attribute represents a directory, “Browse for a directory” feature appears and allows users to interact with the attribute in efficient manner. Following features are also available and new features can be added very easily.

·         Browse for File

·         Browse for Directory

·         Select Maya Node

·         Select Maya Poly Face

·         Select Maya Poly Edge

·         Select Maya Poly Vertex

·         Select Maya Node Attribute

Color Coding

Color coding for data types which reflected on the plugs and on the connections has been added in previous version. I have also added color coding system on the attribute editing fields in this version. So user can distinct the data types far more easily by looking at the color of the attribute fields.

Dedicated Editing Fields

Unlike previous version, this version comes with dedicated attribute editing fields for each individual data types. Integer and float spinner boxes, combo boxes, etc.

Connections

Connections now can be broken by individually for incoming and outgoing plugs. In previous version this feature was designed to disconnect both at the same time. 

Feedback

Since feedback is extremely important in every aspect of the production there is no exception in the Block application.

User can watch feedback panel for any information that the Block emits. While feedback panel gives written information about the performed action, nodes have a new feature to inform users regarding their state.

I have introduced “Flag” system in this version. A flag basically informs users visually regarding the stage of the action of the node while it appears slightly above of the each node. Green play icon means everything executed perfectly while red stop icon draws users attention for any possible error and emits written feedback regarding it.

Platform

Block is running on both Microsoft Windows and Linux systems. It will be available for Mac OS in the future as well. 

Block V2 Node Based Rigging Application

Version 1.0 Description 

Block is node based application specifically designed for task building. I have developed the Block application by using Qt frame work both in C++ and in Python.

Standalone version has been specifically designed for batch and system related task building while the PyQt version has been specifically designed for rigging and animation tasks in Autodesk Maya.

Block allows user to create nodes which is driven by any API developed by you or third party. After the connections have been made between nodes required by the task user either runs the task directly or batches it.

Version 2.0 Description

 This release contains following feature including the API;

• Content and data aware structure.
• Arrays of data types.
• Array capabilities for built-in Autodesk Maya types.
• Data and code export abilities for additional pipeline purposes.
• Node integration with Autodesk Maya.
• Node creation integration for Autodesk Maya.
• More built-in nodes.
• More flexible outliner.
• Fancy node representation.
• Connection shape options.
• Additional visual improvements.

I will be adding more info, screenshots as well as demonstration videos soon. Stay tuned!

Creating Creature Rigging and Animation Pipeline

Here you can find the article I have written about creating creature rigging and animation pipeline. This article covers important fundamental aspect of designing and developing of a pipeline.

Hope you enjoy it.

Run It In Maya (Wing IDE API Script)

RIIM is an API script which I have written for Wing IDE. This API script adds capabilities to execute the Python code in Autodesk Maya from the IDE’s editor without leaving it.

Usually I use command line to call python commands. However I need to execute small codes without bothering command line typing. So RIIM is a good solution for me.

You can visit the related page to watch the demonstration video.

Ocean Box V2 for Autodesk Maya

I have been requested to develop an asset system for the one of the companies I work for. Ocean Box V2 for Autodesk Maya, as you can see the screenshots below it's an asset management system with intuitive navigation capabilities.

You can obtain detailed information about it at my R&D page.