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Expression and Modifier on a Single Parameter?

PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 6:23 pm
by bentraje
Hi,

Is there a way to use expression and modifier at a single parameter?
For example, using the Probe Modifier to drive a parameter but do further processing with the expression.

Currently, it is either one or the other but not both. But I might be missing something.

I also tried a hacky way (don't do this on a existing project).
1) Create a dummy node where you add the Probe Modifier.
2) With the actual node, add the expression referring to the dummy node parameter and perform other expression statement stuff.
3) It works, for a few minutes, then the program freezes. I just lost an existing project with this and I can't recover it. Whenever I open the project again, it just hangs.

So the hacky way is a no go.

Is there a way around this?

Re: Expression and Modifier on a Single Parameter?

PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 7:48 pm
by Sander de Regt
If I understand you correctly, there are a couple of ways, but you do have to do a little prepwork in advance. There are two 'expressions' possible. The 'simple' expression (the one you get when you press '=' ) and the expression modifier. You can right-click on the value you want to modify and select 'modify with expression' this will give you a custom tool like interface that has position values and number values etc that can each be modified as well i.e. you can right-click the number in 1 and modify that with the probe modifier, now you can use Expression1.n1 in your expression field.

Of course depending on the effect what you want to achieve, sometimes there are other modifiers that are more suitable and/or quicker. i.e. you can use calculation modifiers to do calculations with each other, but you can also use those to scale/offset animations in time. There's a lot of power there that's sometimes easier than writing an expression.

So do you have a concrete example of what it is you want to achieve?

Re: Expression and Modifier on a Single Parameter?

PostPosted: Fri May 07, 2021 7:36 am
by bentraje
Hi Sander de Regt

The Modifier Expression and Modifying it with a Probe Modifier works as expected. Basically, modifying a modifier :D

Thanks for the response!