Hi,
Does anyone know if/how you can map a video file onto a surface in Alias? For example, if you want an animated UI on a product display.
Thanks,
Mike
I’m pretty sure it’s possible, or if not you can use an image sequence. Maya definitely supports it, and it’s a fairly basic feature, so it should be in Studiotools.
Try the online help – it’s incredibly useful.
Sure sounds familiar from back when I was using early versions of Alias Studio. Why not ask this question on the Alias website?
Thanks csven, I got an answer there quickly. For anyone interested, its in the Alias documentation under Menus > Render > Multilister > File Texture Parameters:
File Texture Parameters
The File Texture Parameters let you set an image to be used as a texture map (or a sequence of images to create an animation), and lets you control the image quality.
Image
The image file used by the File texture. If you type only the file name, the system looks for the image file in the pix directory of your current working project, unless Preferences > General Preferences Preferences > General Preferences has been set to direct all searches to a common pix directory. If the file is not found there, the system looks in ALIAS_INPUT_PIX_DIR. If the file is found, the full path is displayed in the Image field.
Use Extension
Appends the frame extension number (Frame exten.) to the Image file name and to any images in the Per Object Images list. To use a sequence of image files to create an animation, set Use Extension ON and then animate the Frame exten. value. The default setting is OFF.
Frame exten. (Frame Extension)
The frame extension number that will be appended to the Image file name and to any images in the Per Object Images list. To use a sequence of image files to create an animation, set Use Extension ON and then animate the Frame exten. value. If Use Extension is OFF, the Frame exten. value has no effect.
…sounds simple…
Don’t thank me. All I did was reiterate what Arclight said.
Alias site seems to have really improved, though I’ve not been on it lately. And what you posted is very familiar. Pretty sure I played with it. It’s not hard. But it definitely rings MJPEG bells; not the typical movie file anymore. Sounds like you’ll need to convert which iirc is very lossy depending on source.
Something else that’s in my head is support for QT. You might check that if you’re looking for another option, although I suspect that’s output and not input.
yes, thanks to Arclight also!
I’ve noticed that about the Alias site lately too. They’ve started putting all the old shaders, and some new ones, back on the site. Not much support for ImageStudio though…think they’ll go back to trying to improve the Studio renderer?