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Image Smart Folder

Pro Feature

Pro features are only available with a Professional licence. To upgrade, visit cavalry.scenegroup.co

Intro​

Image Smart Folders can be used to import a folder containing image, video or image sequence assets which can then be referenced via external data or connections.

To import an Image Smart Folder:

  1. Right click in the Assets Window and choose Import Image Smart Folder...
  2. Navigate to a directory on the file system and hit OK.

Once a folder is imported it can be used in combination with an Asset from Smart Folder Utility. Dragging the Image Smart Folder from the Assets Window into the Scene Window or Viewport will create and connect an Asset from Smart Folder Utility and Footage Shape - update the Asset from Smart Folder's Path to the location of the image relative to the Image Smart Folder to reference it. For example, path/to/image.jpg.

Image Sequences

When importing a folder containing image sequences, each sequence must be in its own separate folder.

Note that any file ending in a number may be read as an image sequence so, if individual files with similar names are required, ensure they are named uniquely – for example, image_one, image_two rather then image_1, image_2 etc.

Example
  1. Import a Smart Folder containing the files apple.png, orange.png and banana.png.
  2. Drag that Smart Folder from the Assets Window into the Attribute Editor or Viewport.
  3. Create a String Array.
  4. Add two more indices using the +Add button and enter apple.png, orange.png and banana.png into each.
  5. Connect stringArray.id→assetfromSmartFolder.path.
  6. Uncheck Auto Index on the Asset Array and enter 1 into the Index.

The image should change from an apple to an orange.

Try swapping the String Array for a Spreadsheet and connecting the Render Manager's Dynamic Index to its Index.

Smart Folder Depth

Smart Folders are limited to a maximum depth of 5 directories for performance reasons. In the example below, the image in the Level5 directory will be accessible whereas the image in the Level6 directory will not.

📁 Root
  ┠ 📁 Level1
  ┠ image.jpg
    ┠ 📁 Level2
    ┠ image.jpg
      ┠ 📁 Level3
      ┠ image.jpg
        ┠ 📁 Level4
        ┠ image.jpg
          ┠ 📁 Level5
          ┠ image.jpg
            ┠ 📁 Level6
            ┠ image.jpg