Time offset in expression

[rivard]

hi,
Something I have been wondering about for quite a while, how can I offset time in an expression? So that for example B is at the same value as A but with x frames offset? (so it only gets to that value x frames later)

Hope this makes sens.
Cheers.

~SHydo

[gmask]

You can use getAttr -t to access channel values at a different point in time.

g

[rivard]

wouln't that apply to the script editor? How can I use it in an expression?

What I need is something like

float $timeoffset = god-I-Don'thaveAclue!
objectB.value = objectA.value - $timeoffset

I imagine I am approaching this problem in the wrong way anyway.

Cheers

~SHydo

[gnimmel]

You can use getAttr in a expression too, although it's supposed to be a little slower in an expression.

Try somthing like this:

int $timeoffset =2;

int $Time = ((currentTime -query) - $timeoffset );

objectB.value = getAttr -t $Time objectA.value;

Hope that helps,

Richard

[gmask]

What he said

g

[rivard]

Great, actually Excellent, it works just fine.

I went through the instant Maya help file for Expressions at the biggening of this year, and am now learning expressions through experimenting and all but it seems like there are quite a few leeps forwards I could do! I write expressions when I concider it is the shortest way around, but just from the fact that I can read one with no probs are there anymore resources out there to learn them somehow a bit faster?

Expressions are surely the most rewarding thing in Maya, long life to DIY (and in this case to the wiz who just helped me out!).
Thanks again I appreciate, really.

~SHydo

[newskraft]

I like to use getAttr within expressions to drive tracks and animation based on a timewarp channel...

Here's an example:

RetimedCamera.translateX = eval("getAttr -t " + RetimedCamera.timewarp + " TrackCamera.translateX;");
Because the timewarp attribute channel I'm referencing isn't a format that getAttr likes I explicitly use eval to evaluate the text string. Works like a charm. 

You could use currentTime instead and start adding values to create echo effects.