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Plug-ins User Guide

Version 5.2 | Published March 20, 2024 ©

Data Storage

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The Data Storage plug-in stores data in the current Scene and sends it to the other plug-ins on startup. This plug-in helps artists during Scene design if there is no data source available, and to hold data within, for example, the Scene.

Note: This plug-in is located in: Plugins -> Container plug-ins -> VisualDataTools

This page contains the following topics and procedures:

Data Storage Properties

  • Shared Mem.: Changes between Scene, Global and Distributed Shared Memory. Use Inactive memory to not forward any values via Shared Memory.

  • Key Data 1-5: Determines Shared Memory key name.

  • Data 1-5: Contains (separated) data.

  • Resend Data: Resends the actual values.

To Store and Send Data

  1. Create a chart scene (e.g. using the Line Chart plug-in) and set Shared Mem. to Scene.

  2. Add the Data Storage plug-in to the scene and set Shared Mem. to Scene.

  3. Open the DataStorage editor and set the following parameters:

    • Shared Mem. to Scene.

    • Key Data1 to Data1.

    • Data1 to 10, 20, 15, 30, 25, 40, 20.

  4. Open the Chart plug-in editor and set the Key DataY value (e.g. Data1) using the Key Data1 value you set for the DataStorage plug-in.

    Note: The chart plug-ins have different property names (e.g. Data and Key Data). Also, some have X, Y or Z appended at the end, defining the axis.

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  5. Open the DataStorage editor and click the Resend Data button.

To Enable Data Input from External Sources

The following example builds on the previous example.

  1. Add the Control Parameter to the scene tree. The Control Object plug-in is automatically added.

  2. Open the Control Parameter editor.

  3. Enter FUNCTION*DataStorage*Data1 into the Parameter field.

  4. Set Data Type to Text. This allows you to pass a string of numbers to the Control Parameter plug-in that are stored in the shared memory. It also allows your template designer or operator to further extend/enhance the input methods (e.g. through scripting).