Use A Multilayer In A Macro?

[user_deleted]

Hi all. Can't find anything about this problem, so maybe it's so basic everyone already has it figured out...

I find in Shake 4.00.0607 that any time I build a chain consisting of one or more nodes feeding into a multilayer and then combine the nodes into a macro via "make macro", the resultant macro has all connections feeding the multilayer broken.

As far as I can tell, it only happens with this one node, and I'm perplexed.

I know that the multilayer is touted by the manual as taking a more "layer oriented approach" to compositing as opposed to a node based approach, and in the description of it's command line function in the Node Reference guide it reads, "Not really a command-line thing." I can see how this would be the case, but does it's unusual nature somehow make it unuseable in a macro?

Note: Symptom verified on multiple machines, all macs: any time a node feeds a multilayer and the two are combined into a macro, connection becomes broken.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Cook

[director]

Take a good look at the code that comes out of the macro and see if there is anything that looks wrong. Right off the bat I can guess a couple of things that would create problems such as placement of frames and locked/ unlocked to camera.

Feel free to send the code and we can take a look. It's not outside the realm of possibility that we can get it to work. The more complex the macro, such as with a multiplane node, the more likely something like this can happen.

I've seen it before and have been able to correct similar problems. I'm sure your situation is a bit different though. Send the code anyway. Thanks!

[user_deleted]

erm, He was talking about the multiLAYER node not the multiPLANE node. Personally I wouldnt use either of them inside a macro. Why not build your macro from standard layer nodes?

[user_deleted]

Thanks for the replies.

If the code is in error, the problem must be pretty fundamental or the solution very simple.

=)

Do this:

-open a new script in Shake
-bring two plates in...alphas, etc don't really matter
-plug them into a multilayer with any functions you like
-highlight the nodes, right-click and select "macro>make macro"
-select any controls you like, name it anything at all

The resulting macro always has the noodles broken...at least when I try it.

It wouldn't be an issue if we could easily get some of those multilayer functions some other way (hard light, soft light, lighten, and lots of others).

Thanks again for the help.

Cook