Storyboarding: New add-on for storyboarding (Storypencil) #100665

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opened 2022-08-27 11:46:13 +02:00 by Antonio Vazquez · 40 comments

This add-on is the same used in Annency demos and was tested but @mendio and @pepe-school-land in real productions.

Known Iussues:

  • The add-on does not work when using workspace scene pin. There is an open task already open (blender/blender#100165)

Note: @mendio has all documentation manual ready for upload.

This add-on is the same used in Annency demos and was tested but @mendio and @pepe-school-land in real productions. Known Iussues: * The add-on does not work when using workspace scene pin. There is an open task already open (blender/blender#100165) Note: @mendio has all documentation manual ready for upload.
Antonio Vazquez self-assigned this 2022-08-27 11:46:13 +02:00
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Changed status from 'Needs Triage' to: 'Confirmed'

Changed status from 'Needs Triage' to: 'Confirmed'
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Added subscribers: @mendio, @pepe-school-land, @antoniov

Added subscribers: @mendio, @pepe-school-land, @antoniov
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[storypencil_1_0.zip](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F13420732/storypencil_1_0.zip)
Antonio Vazquez changed title from Storyboarding: New add-on for storyboarding to Storyboarding: New add-on for storyboarding (Storypencil) 2022-08-27 11:59:32 +02:00

Added subscriber: @storyvalk

Added subscriber: @storyvalk

So stoked for this! Thank you guys for putting this together :D Can't wait to see the documentation bc I don't think I'm working it properly lol.

So stoked for this! Thank you guys for putting this together :D Can't wait to see the documentation bc I don't think I'm working it properly lol.

Added subscriber: @4thDimension

Added subscriber: @4thDimension

Hi @mendio,
Hope all is good!
Would you mind releasing the documentation for this Add-on when you have a spare moment?
I've got it working but my timeline doesn't sync between my windows like Daniels showcase back in June. Paul C. and I would love to run through it together and setup our files to give this a go :)
Thank you!
Maurits Valk

Hi @mendio, Hope all is good! Would you mind releasing the documentation for this Add-on when you have a spare moment? I've got it working but my timeline doesn't sync between my windows like Daniels showcase back in June. Paul C. and I would love to run through it together and setup our files to give this a go :) Thank you! Maurits Valk

@storyvalk I can't update the Blender official documentation before the Add-on approval, could you explain better the problem you encountered so we can help?

@storyvalk I can't update the Blender official documentation before the Add-on approval, could you explain better the problem you encountered so we can help?

Hi @mendio,
All good regarding the documentation. I manage to get everything working except for the timeline to sync between the scenes. I noticed Daniel's twitter demo had his timeline in both the sequencer and dopesheet synced per scene. So when he started a new 'scene/shot' the timeline would start at the beginning of that scene instead of where you last left the timeline in that dopesheet.
Here's a pic of mysetup below. The dopesheet timeline should be at the first frame since the vse timeline is at the start of that scene strip.
If this is not the intention then that's totally cool, it just looked like Daniel's setup was different. Another small thing is the Blender window still has a project title at the top but Daniel doesnt have that. I'd love to know how to remove that so you have two clean separate windows (unfortunately googling for an hour didn't solve it)

Thank you!!
image.png

Hi @mendio, All good regarding the documentation. I manage to get everything working except for the timeline to sync between the scenes. I noticed Daniel's twitter demo had his timeline in both the sequencer and dopesheet synced per scene. So when he started a new 'scene/shot' the timeline would start at the beginning of that scene instead of where you last left the timeline in that dopesheet. Here's a pic of mysetup below. The dopesheet timeline should be at the first frame since the vse timeline is at the start of that scene strip. If this is not the intention then that's totally cool, it just looked like Daniel's setup was different. Another small thing is the Blender window still has a project title at the top but Daniel doesnt have that. I'd love to know how to remove that so you have two clean separate windows (unfortunately googling for an hour didn't solve it) Thank you!! ![image.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F13475430/image.png)

Added subscriber: @hamza-el-barmaki

Added subscriber: @hamza-el-barmaki

obsStudio can remove the top of blender window or any software for recording purpose maybe this is due to that

obsStudio can remove the top of blender window or any software for recording purpose maybe this is due to that

Thank you, @hamza-el-barmaki - that helps solve the title bar. The outstanding issue is the timeline syncing between VSE window and the scene I'm drawing in. Any tips would be appreciated :)

Thank you, @hamza-el-barmaki - that helps solve the title bar. The outstanding issue is the timeline syncing between VSE window and the scene I'm drawing in. Any tips would be appreciated :)
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Added subscriber: @ideasman42

Added subscriber: @ideasman42
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@ideasman42 Could take a look at the add-on before moving it to add-on contrib? The add-on has been tested a lot and works fine (we know some issues, but they are more Blender limitations that are not very important).

Our idea is put in contrib for 3.4 and after receiving feedback from more Studios, move to official in future releases.

@ideasman42 Could take a look at the add-on before moving it to `add-on contrib`? The add-on has been tested a lot and works fine (we know some issues, but they are more Blender limitations that are not very important). Our idea is put in `contrib` for 3.4 and after receiving feedback from more Studios, move to `official` in future releases.

@antoniov I had a browse through the addon and in general, besides License headers (which should be in all files, other points are optional before committing to contrib).

  • Use SPDX license headers for all files.

Other suggestions/notes (not a full review).

  • Use relative imports instead of importing from storypencil.
  • operator_exists("workspace.scene_pin_toggle") shouldn't be needed when in contrib.
  • root = scene.view_layers- [x].layer_collection - shouldn't the windows view_layer be used instead?
  • STORYPENCIL_OT_RenderAction video_ext / image_ext, are duplicating data available in Blender, we could expose this via an API.
@antoniov I had a browse through the addon and in general, besides License headers (which should be in all files, other points are optional before committing to contrib). - Use `SPDX` license headers for all files. Other suggestions/notes (not a full review). - Use relative imports instead of importing from `storypencil`. - `operator_exists("workspace.scene_pin_toggle")` shouldn't be needed when in contrib. - `root = scene.view_layers- [x].layer_collection` - shouldn't the windows view_layer be used instead? - `STORYPENCIL_OT_RenderAction` video_ext / image_ext, are duplicating data available in Blender, we could expose this via an API.
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storypencil_1_1.zip

@mendio Could you check that this version works as expected. I have done several changes requested by @ideasman42 and I want to be sure before pushing the add-on to contrib

@ideasman42 I have fixed the license, the relative import and removed operator_exists

About view_layer, this function reads the collection of the strip scene, not the current window.

[storypencil_1_1.zip](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F13499386/storypencil_1_1.zip) @mendio Could you check that this version works as expected. I have done several changes requested by @ideasman42 and I want to be sure before pushing the add-on to `contrib` @ideasman42 I have fixed the license, the relative import and removed `operator_exists` About `view_layer`, this function reads the collection of the strip scene, not the current window.

@mendio Could you check that this version works as expected. I have done several changes requested by @ideasman42 and I want to be sure before pushing the add-on to contrib

Everything seems to be working fine

> > @mendio Could you check that this version works as expected. I have done several changes requested by @ideasman42 and I want to be sure before pushing the add-on to `contrib` > Everything seems to be working fine
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Changed status from 'Confirmed' to: 'Resolved'

Changed status from 'Confirmed' to: 'Resolved'
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The add-on has been pushed to blender-addons-contrib

@mendio You can upload the documentation.

The add-on has been pushed to `blender-addons-contrib` @mendio You can upload the documentation.

Added subscriber: @Pyer

Added subscriber: @Pyer

@storyvalk
I have the same issue.
I can't replicate Daniel's setup and sync doesn't seem to work (or maybe I don't know how to make it work!).

@storyvalk I have the same issue. I can't replicate Daniel's setup and sync doesn't seem to work (or maybe I don't know how to make it work!).

It was a bug, already fixed, please compile master again

It was a bug, already fixed, please compile master again

Sorry in advance for the question, but the addon (and sync) seems to work for me when you check the Edit/Open in New Window, but does not work when the option is unchecked.
@mendio Was your last message to me? Who should compile to master?

Sorry in advance for the question, but the addon (and sync) seems to work for me when you check the Edit/Open in New Window, but does not work when the option is unchecked. @mendio Was your last message to me? Who should compile to master?

Sorry, I assumed you are compiling Blender yourself. You can download the daily build to try the add-on here (Blender 3.4 Alpha) https://builder.blender.org/download/daily/

Sorry, I assumed you are compiling Blender yourself. You can download the daily build to try the add-on here (Blender 3.4 Alpha) https://builder.blender.org/download/daily/

Yep, I've downloaded the lastest nightly and still can't get it to work like Daniel's example. I've tried on both of my rigs (Win11 & MacOs).

Yep, I've downloaded the lastest nightly and still can't get it to work like Daniel's example. I've tried on both of my rigs (Win11 & MacOs).

You mentioned that when using "Open in New Window" it works right in sync.
What is exactly the problem you have when not using this workflow and edit the source scene going back and forth from the VSE and the scene?

You mentioned that when using "Open in New Window" it works right in sync. What is exactly the problem you have when not using this workflow and edit the source scene going back and forth from the VSE and the scene?

Added subscriber: @Hannah-Umit

Added subscriber: @Hannah-Umit

Not vanilla blender but:

I am trying to use it right now with the Heavypoly setup and when I create a new scene, it is not an empty one, it is one that links data between the first scene. Modifying the newly made scene also modifies the original one. 2022-09-22 21-42-32.mp4

edit:
the base scene also seems to get modified.

I will look into why that setup affects it and post my findings here if I find any.

Not vanilla blender but: I am trying to use it right now with the Heavypoly setup and when I create a new scene, it is not an empty one, it is one that links data between the first scene. Modifying the newly made scene also modifies the original one. [2022-09-22 21-42-32.mp4](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F13556193/2022-09-22_21-42-32.mp4) edit: the base scene also seems to get modified. I will look into why that setup affects it and post my findings here if I find any.

In #100665#1421232, @Hannah-Umit wrote:
Not vanilla blender but:

I am trying to use it right now with the Heavypoly setup and when I create a new scene, it is not an empty one, it is one that links data between the first scene. Modifying the newly made scene also modifies the original one.

edit:
the base scene also seems to get modified.

I will look into why that setup affects it and post my findings here if I find any.

Seems like in preferences, Editing>Objects>Duplicate Data>Grease Pencil

has to be checked on to make the addon functional. Perhaps it's an idea to note that in the documentation?

> In #100665#1421232, @Hannah-Umit wrote: > Not vanilla blender but: > > I am trying to use it right now with the Heavypoly setup and when I create a new scene, it is not an empty one, it is one that links data between the first scene. Modifying the newly made scene also modifies the original one. > > edit: > the base scene also seems to get modified. > > I will look into why that setup affects it and post my findings here if I find any. Seems like in preferences, Editing>Objects>Duplicate Data>Grease Pencil has to be checked on to make the addon functional. Perhaps it's an idea to note that in the documentation?

I see, glad you found the problem but since this is a corner case and you are not using the default Blender settings we cannot consider this a bug.
Anyway I'll see if we could make the addon address this in some way.

I see, glad you found the problem but since this is a corner case and you are not using the default Blender settings we cannot consider this a bug. Anyway I'll see if we could make the addon address this in some way.

Added subscriber: @Georgefly

Added subscriber: @Georgefly

@mendio I guess my question is how does Daniel manage to get this workspace setup when clicking on Edit:
Screenshot 2022-09-22 at 19.13.01.jpg
Where he has the global Sequencer window at the bottom and a Drawing one (that switches from shot to shot) at the top...
I can sort of replicate what he's done by clicking on the Open in new window option, but then I have to manually stack the two open windows. Is that the correct workflow?
Again, very sorry to ask, but I'm just trying to duplicate Daniel's workflow which is great, but doesn't seem setup by default when you first use the addon...

@mendio I guess my question is how does Daniel manage to get this workspace setup when clicking on Edit: ![Screenshot 2022-09-22 at 19.13.01.jpg](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F13558308/Screenshot_2022-09-22_at_19.13.01.jpg) Where he has the global Sequencer window at the bottom and a Drawing one (that switches from shot to shot) at the top... I can sort of replicate what he's done by clicking on the Open in new window option, but then I have to manually stack the two open windows. Is that the correct workflow? Again, very sorry to ask, but I'm just trying to duplicate Daniel's workflow which is great, but doesn't seem setup by default when you first use the addon...

yes, unfortunately there is no way to stack automatically the windows for the user.
This workflow is better suite when using multiple monitors or a pen display like Wacom Cintiq. You can work in one monitor with the main edit, and in the other in sync on the source scenes

yes, unfortunately there is no way to stack automatically the windows for the user. This workflow is better suite when using multiple monitors or a pen display like Wacom Cintiq. You can work in one monitor with the main edit, and in the other in sync on the source scenes

Damn, ok thanks!

Damn, ok thanks!

Added subscriber: @satishgoda1

Added subscriber: @satishgoda1

Added subscriber: @shubhampatilart

Added subscriber: @shubhampatilart

My question for this post - twitter.com/pepeland/status/1536355121407447042?s=20&t=muhUiSTricNVQW_g54LD6Q

How he was able to change (Scenes Short A, B & C) direct in
3d viewport?

My question for this post - twitter.com/_pepeland_/status/1536355121407447042?s=20&t=muhUiSTricNVQW_g54LD6Q How he was able to change (Scenes Short A, B & C) direct in 3d viewport?

In #100665#1424908, @shubhampatilart wrote:
My question for this post - twitter.com/pepeland/status/1536355121407447042?s=20&t=muhUiSTricNVQW_g54LD6Q

How he was able to change (Scenes Short A, B & C) direct in
3d viewport?

Because it's using two different windows, one for the Dope Sheet (Edit scene) and the other for the 3D Viewport (Source Scene). The add-on show in the 3D viewport window what is under the timeline cursor

> In #100665#1424908, @shubhampatilart wrote: > My question for this post - twitter.com/_pepeland_/status/1536355121407447042?s=20&t=muhUiSTricNVQW_g54LD6Q > > How he was able to change (Scenes Short A, B & C) direct in > 3d viewport? Because it's using two different windows, one for the Dope Sheet (Edit scene) and the other for the 3D Viewport (Source Scene). The add-on show in the 3D viewport window what is under the timeline cursor

Added subscriber: @bazza

Added subscriber: @bazza

Change this, and it works better when the scene has text overlays in VSE:

class STORYPENCIL_OT_Switch(Operator):
...
    # Get active strip
    def act_strip(self, context):
        try:
            return context.scene.sequence_editor.active_strip
        except AttributeError:
            return False

I try to use this add-on together with ScreenWriter

Change this, and it works better when the scene has text overlays in VSE: ``` class STORYPENCIL_OT_Switch(Operator): ... # Get active strip def act_strip(self, context): try: return context.scene.sequence_editor.active_strip except AttributeError: return False ``` I try to use this add-on together with [ScreenWriter](https://github.com/tin2tin/Blender_Screenwriter)
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Reference: blender/blender-addons#100665
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