Talk:Settings and Macros/Switcher Description

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I have found myself using this macro and the companion, Switcher8, a few times recently and have some minor issues with them. Partly it is a macro issue and partly it is a basic Fusion issue.

First off, when you put this node to a viewer, it doesn't use the actual name of the node in the viewer display, but uses a branch inside the node, as the name in viewer. This is, of course, inconsistent with the normal operation of Fusion. It is also confusing in a big comp when I look to see what node I am viewing and the name is some internal name, causing me to mumble to myself "what fracking node is that?" as it is not one of my named nodes. . . This is drawback to how some of Fusion's marco system works, which, frankly, is not as good (IMO) to say, Shake. Inherently when you build macros the inputs and outputs names can be quite goofy in display.

Secondly, and this is a major issue for me, the keyframes set by this node are linear and not step. If you use this node like the Select Node in Shake, you have to manually set the keys to step. Frankly, if you wanted a dissolve between sources, you'd use a MRG or DX node. Just the name Switcher implies a cut or switch between sources, not a linear dissolve as this node creates. Now part of this is internal to Fusion as I understand it, as I asked Raf of Krokodove fame why his Switcher node has linear keys and he told me there is no way to have Fusion switch the spline type. This an oversight in my book. A node like this should have step keys as a default, which would allow the "minimum of effort" expended when setting up a rapid switching of sources. Adding a option for linear would be a natural extension.

So is it possible to have a macro that also has a check box or radio selector attached, that then runs a script when checked that auto-magically sets all the key frames of the node to step and vis versa?

I have included a screen grab of Shake, showing its Select node, which defaults to Step for the keys (but allows for other interpolations also). You simply set your keys in the branch and it is a direct switch and not a linear interp between keys.

Just my view from the trenches. Still love Fusion, but have to point out the not so good too ;) --Drswoboda 23:35, 2 July 2007 (Central Daylight Time)

Ah, in MY MACRO, Switcher16, there is a floor function (int I believe) that essentially converts the linear values of the slider to stepped output. Macros are fun like that. --Chad

-- Hi Chad. Is that a macro that is posted or is it private? --Drswoboda 13:29, 3 July 2007 (Central Daylight Time)

Um... I gotta find it again. I know the expression was just math.floor(BrightnessContrast1.Gain) or whatever the macro is using now. You can probably edit it in in SciTe. --Chad