Layers and Paint Action Sequence

[Ed kalski]

I like using layers a lot and I noticed that when I do a paint action sequence, clicking the "New" layer button doesn't get recorded. Am I missing something? If not, will SA 4.0 make that possible?

[Synthetik]

New Layer is not something that gets recorded in a PASeq. It's not a 'processing step'. It's the same reason things like resizing a layer are not recorded as a PASeq action step. PASeq's are designed to be independent of those kind of things.

A PASeq does remember which layer was used for each action step. In 3.5, you can set the PASeq Configuration preferences (File : Preferences) dialog so that layer playback is turned on. When you do this, the PAseq playback will automatically switch to the appropriate layer for processing. In 3.5 the additional layers will be generated if they are not there when you run the PASeq with layer playback turned on.

In v4, layer playback is a PASeq editable parameter. So layer playback is a user adjustable parameter associated with each individual PASeq (as opposed to being a global preference as in 3.5). The v4 PASeq palette shows which layer was used for each action step.

When layer playback is turned off (the default state), then whatever layer is the current layer is the layer the PASeq plays back into. Often this is the behavior you want, because you are running some kind of prerecorded effect on a given layer. If the PASeq always adjusted the layer to the layer it was originally recorded on you would not be able to select a PASeq preset and process an arbitrary layer with it.

V4 is much better about remembering and playing back all of the information associated with each layer (view state, composite, transparency, etc). And they can be different for each PASeq action step. In 3.5 you set up the layer compositing and transparency and then they don't change as the PAseq plays back. You can use a session file to save and restore the layer settings in 3.5. in v4 the PASeq preset file remembers the layer settings for each action step.

Right now v4 PASeq playback does not generate any additional missing layers when layer playback is turned on.

[Ed kalski]

Wow. I'm new here. Quick response and...I can't wait for version 4. Hmmm, guess I have no choice.

Thanks John.

Ed

[Ed kalski]

John,

I just went to Studio Artist, and when I went to preferences, it was ghosted out. Any ideas?

Never mind -- wrong preferences.

Well, back again. The preference under file has Default Composite, Default Background Color, Default Save Output Alpha, and Paint Alpha Fill Status. I don't see "Layer Playback."

I got it - it's the Paint Alpha Fill Status. I got it working John.

Thanks again,

Ed

[Synthetik]

In 3.5, it's the 'File : Preferences ; Paint Action Sequence Configuration' menu that brings up the dialog you want.

3.5's menus need to be compatible with classic os 9 since we offer a build that supports that older mac operating system. So that's why the normal osx preference menu is not used. in v4 all the preferences are in one tabbed preference dialog located where you would expect it to be for a osx application. Of course for v4 windows the main preference dialog is accessed via file : preferences.

[John H.]

I find that what I will do in my PASeq to keep my head straight when I call up a PASeq later on, is I use the "Preset Help Information" window (the ?) and write notes as to how many layers I use for the PASeq, what compositing settings I am using for each layer and any other information that may help me to set up a layered PASeq that I have used a while ago. Then when I turn on the Layer Tracking, the PASeq will run the same way that I originally configured it.

[Ed kalski]

What a great idea. Thanks John.

Ed