Clip : Layers Structure > PSD - Layer Choice

[Zaush]

When working in TVPaint and exporting layers for compositing in After Effects, one of the best ways to get the footage into comps is to export layer structures intact in PSDs. The problem is that many layers (like sketch layers) are not needed in the composition, and things like backgrounds end up in every document frame making for large file sizes.

Before exporting, these layers need to be deleted, but it would be great if you could simply choose which layers are included in the export. It could be as simple as selecting the layers prior to entering the dialog, or maybe include some checkboxes on the export screen. I've attached an example of what I was thinking.

Hopefully this is helpful, let me know what you think!

[slowtiger]

What about duplicating the clip and erase unnecessary stuff in the one you export?

[ZigOtto]

or alternatively :
- Ctrl-Select the unwanted layers, RMB-Selected Layers Delete,
- Export PSD (Layers Structure)
- then, once the Export done, Hit key to Undo the last Delete action,
and so to recover all the initial stuff.

[Zaush]

or alternatively :
- Ctrl-Select the unwanted layers, RMB-Selected Layers Delete,
- Export PSD (Layers Structure)
- then, once the Export done, Hit key to Undo the last Delete action,
and so to recover all the initial stuff.

This is what I do currently, it's just a little bit of a pain sometimes since using color groups often mean hidden layers I can't see on the timeline without enabling them, etc. The best Near term alternative I can think of is to make some kind of George script that looks at the layer names and deletes all layers that have a certain prefix (like EX_, example being "EX_lines") and delete the rest, but I'm not familiar enough with the scripting to pull this off.

This is why I'm suggesting a feature request to have a persisting preference of what gets exported when sending out later structure PSDs

[NathanOtano]

Just saying, but for After Effect you can use this awesome script :
http://forum.tvpaint.com/viewtopic.php? ... 8&start=75" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Zaush]

Just saying, but for After Effect you can use this awesome script :
http://forum.tvpaint.com/viewtopic.php? ... 8&start=75" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for the heads up! The script isn't quite what I'm after, since the PSD export is so much better for what I need it for, so I'm going to use color groups to make selecting layers to delete much easier, at least until a layer choice option in structured clip export is added, if they see it being a useful feature.

[Fabrice]

it could be useful, I agree. But I can't say when it can be done.

[Mads Juul]

I don't know if scripting is an option.
But then you could use this command

Code: Select all

tv_clipsavestructure path "PSD" "mode" "all"

http://wiki.tvpaint.fr/index.php?title= ... eStructure

And then delete the unwanted layers before exporting or something.
So I think what you ask for is possible to do through scripting, if you need the feature now.

-Mads