Parms dict attribute not affecting apex graph [solved]

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Hello,

I am trying to follow the KineFX rigging with APEX training. I am on video 6 where it talks about using attribute adjust dictionary to create the point attribute that tells apex graph to promote either translation, rotation, or scale (see photo). The video adds that the dictionary attribute created will override the values that are put directly on the apex auto rig node (see photo).

https://www.sidefx.com/tutorials/kinefx-rigging-with-apex-1/ [www.sidefx.com]

However, those dictionaries don't seem to have any effect at all. I was unable to get them working on my scene, so I downloaded the tutorial files and the promoted parms seem to have no effect in the file provided from SESI either. Take a look at my video. When I select the FKautorig node, there are no controls showing in the selection sets or viewport. If the dictionary is to control these t/r/s promote groups, I would expect to see controls in the viewport (since these values are supposed to come from the dictionary), right? Once I type in "*" you can see the apex graph actually update and add the t/r/s nodes in the graph. Furthermore, if I go to the scene animate and try moving a limb then disabling the attribute dictionaries, nothing changes. Note that in the video I made a mistake because it is loading the character from disk, so disabling nodes wouldn't affect it. However I also tried connecting the scene add character node to the nodes above (and not the file node) so that it is reading the nodes above and NOT the bgeo file and I still had the same issue. Am I just not understanding something? I would appreciate any help.

Thanks
Edited by evanrudefx - Dec. 16, 2024 18:08:32

Attachments:
promote.JPG (35.6 KB)

Thanks,

Evan
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I found the issue. I found the solution by downloading the character switching file and comparing how it was built:

https://www.sidefx.com/contentlibrary/character-switching/ [www.sidefx.com]

in the rigging with apex tutorial when he creates the guide properties, he gives the attribute the wrong name. He puts in "parms". In the character switching file the attribute name is "properties" and not "parms".

If I update the name to be "properties" it starts working.

edit: I found in the docs where it says to use "properties" too.
Edited by evanrudefx - Dec. 16, 2024 18:17:30

Attachments:
parms.JPG (23.7 KB)
properties.JPG (29.6 KB)
Capture2.JPG (50.8 KB)

Thanks,

Evan
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Ah! thanks for letting us know!!
I'll update the video asap.
Michael Goldfarb | www.odforce.net
Training Lead
SideFX
www.sidefx.com
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goldfarb
Ah! thanks for letting us know!!
I'll update the video asap.

thanks for the rigging tutorial btw, was a lifesaver for trying to learn APEX.
Thanks,

Evan
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I finished the tutorial a couple of weeks ago and have stumbled upon this issue too. Just like Evan, I found the solution in the docs. However, I'm stil trying to figure out how to affect color of controllers downstream. Neither color, shapecolorproperties or colornested in controldict (as suggested in the docs) have any effect on them. I wonder how it should be done properly.

{
	"control":{
		"color":[1,0,0],
		"x_min:r":0.001
	},
	"max_lock:r":[0,0,0],
	"min_lock:r":[-95.5,0,0],
	"promote":"r",
	"shape":"circle_wires",
	"shapecolor":[0.75,0.1,0.1],
	"shaperotate":[0,90,0],
	"shapescale":[1.5,1.5,1.5],
	"shapetranslate":[-0.2,0,0]
}

By the way, the tutorial was VERY helpful in helping me understand the basics of APEX. Thanks for making it, Michael.
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ajz3d
I finished the tutorial a couple of weeks ago and have stumbled upon this issue too. Just like Evan, I found the solution in the docs. However, I'm stil trying to figure out how to affect color of controllers downstream. Neither color, shapecolorproperties or colornested in controldict (as suggested in the docs) have any effect on them. I wonder how it should be done properly.

{
	"control":{
		"color":[1,0,0],
		"x_min:r":0.001
	},
	"max_lock:r":[0,0,0],
	"min_lock:r":[-95.5,0,0],
	"promote":"r",
	"shape":"circle_wires",
	"shapecolor":[0.75,0.1,0.1],
	"shaperotate":[0,90,0],
	"shapescale":[1.5,1.5,1.5],
	"shapetranslate":[-0.2,0,0]
}

By the way, the tutorial was VERY helpful in helping me understand the basics of APEX. Thanks for making it, Michael.

I just tried doing the color and it didn't work for me either
Thanks,

Evan
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