Eyeon:Manual/Fusion 6/Path Maps Preferences

Path Maps Preferences

Path Maps are virtual paths used to replace segments of filepaths with variables. For example, define the path `movie_x' as actually being in X:\Shows\Movie_X. Using this example, Fusion would understand the path `movie_x\scene_5\scan.000.cin' as actually being X:\Shows\Movie_X\scene_5\scan.000.cin.

There are two main advantages to virtual Path Maps instead of actual filenames. One is that a system administrator can easily change the path to footage (for example copying from one share to another) without artists needing to make any changes at all to their compositions.

Also, path maps are used in mixed Windows and Linux render farms, to bypass the different filename conventions. For example, the path to the footage may be x:\shots\footage on windows, and /shots/footage on Linux. Setting a path map on the Linux nodes that maps X:\shots\footage to /shots/footage allows you to render the same composition on Windows and Linux nodes.

Built in Path Maps There are several built in path maps.

Comp: refers to the folder where the current composition is saved.

Temp: refers to the systems temporary folder.

Fusion: refers to the folder where Fusion is installed

Fusion will automatically attempt to replace portions of filenames that match known path maps. For example, a composition saved as C:\Comps\example1.comp would automatically replace the path to c:\comps\example.jpg with Comp:\example.jpg.

Global and Composition Path Maps

Both global and composition preferences show a path maps preferences panel. The global preferences are applied to all compositions, while composition path maps are saved with the composition and only apply to it.

Composition path maps will override global path maps with the same name. The built-in Comp:\ Path Map refers to the default composition folder when used in a global path map.

Nesting Path Maps

Use a path map in a path map's definition, provided it has been defined first. For example, define a path map called `Episode' that mapped to x:\shows\Episode1. Then create path maps called Renders and Stills that mapped to Episode\Renders_v1 and Episode\Stills_v1.

Creating a Path Map

To create a path map click on the New button and enter the name of the Path Map in the From: field below. Enter the value of the path map in the To: field.

Deleting a Path Map

To delete a path map, select it from the list above and click on the delete button.

Enable Reverse Mapping of Paths Preferences

When this checkbox is selected, the built-in path maps for entries in the Paths preferences will be considered when applying mapping to existing filenames.