Software > 3DS Max > Scripts > Scripted Tools
TP Debugger
May 07, 2018 by CGPress Staff
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Alexander Urik has released a scripted operator for thinking particles that enable the user to visualise data in real-time. Features include:
- The ability to visualize values directly on particles from particle inputs that include PID, Group, Position, Velocity, Age, LifeSpan, Size, Scale, Alignment, Mass, Spin, Randomseed, UniqueID, MtlTime, Transform, IsAlive, IsBorn, IsDie, and IsEnterGroup.
- A HUD display for visualization data in upper viewport corner.
- Visualisation of custom Conditions.
- Visualisation of custom inputs: Integer, Scalar, Vector, Velocity, Direction, Bool, Color, and Particle.
- Visualise Velocity and Direction input as lines.
- Visualise Particle input as lines and show distance, useful for visualization of Joints, References or PSearch particles
Visualise Colors as filled rectangles . - Show Min, Max and Average values of particles in HUD Display.
- Show First Last and Count of particles in HUD Display.
- Custom color and text description of visualized values.
- Custom particle and condition markers.
- Show text with black outlines to improve readability.
- Turning off all operators at once or solo one operator.
- Auto disabling TP Debugger when exceed particle limit to prevent system slowdown.
- Stacking more TP Debuggers on each particle.
TP Debugger is available in two versions, a freelance version for $39.90 and a studio edition for $99.90. Tutorials are available on YouTube.
Source: Alexander Urik
Thats an awesome addition to TP!
I respect any initiative to improve the software especially from user side.
BUT 🙂 This is slightly ridiculous that this kind of basic functionality has to come from a passionate user rather than a developer who is taking considerable (and rental only – yes I had to;) money for it.
Going that route Tp will become a max within max…
Now it’s time for most requested feature survey 😉
Basic funcionality is what TP debug mode has. It works for most users. Then you can debug if you want even with Krakatoa demo version, reading TP info on the fly.
I have been asking an update on debugging tools in TP for a long time, but they are focused on other areas, so this is really a welcome addition to me. Using TP on a daily basis, if this saves me even 10 minutes a day, is totally worth it to pay what it cost.
Every one needs that to work on TP ? Absolutely not, this are some advanced debugging tools, most people dont even debug, or they use what is build in, but I think doesnt hurt anybody to have options available.
A plugging for a plugging. Really.
Hot shit! TP has definitely been lacking as far as debugging tools go and this should fill that void nicely.
Too expensive and not needed.
Talk by yourself. I think is a great addition, and a lot of people will found it extremely useful (including myself). Is great to have options.
Too expensive and not needed?
Well, I agree on Eloi here, talk for yourself!
It’s far from expensive for what it does and it’s extremely useful if you use TP!
this should be free like what we have in blender
What do you have free in blender that is remotely similar to this script? Just curious.
Eloi, blender can do everything and its free
lol. I use blender on my free time. I agree its free, I agree its very good in some areas. I totally disagree it can do everything. Again, show me something remotely similar to TP in Blender. or even remotely similar to a flexible particles system.
In this case, I have to say that I agree with Eloi.
Particles in Blender are pretty basic and old, are great for small things or for some specific situations, but it is no way near Thinking Particles, to do any complex particles or vfx particle based work in a Blender centric pipeline you need to use a different software like Houdini.
Even with Animation Nodes, Blender lacks a proper particle system with options and real control over it.
It may (probably will) change in the medium distance future, but it will stay as is at least for the moment, I´m eager to see all the particle system revamped to be something similar to ICE, I can dream as much as I want! hehehe
Cheers