Create Flame Text files via Filemaker

[ddinisco]

I know this a weird request but I was wondering if anyone has tried to generate flame Text files from another application other than Flame (I am attempting Filemaker). We are trying to automatically generate slates based on a template, as we generate many of these everyday. The cutsheet info is already in Filemaker, and since this is the same as the slate info I was wondering if there was some clever way to capture this data and turn it into the ttg files that Flame uses. There are two files generated for each Text file created by Flame (1 file.ttg, 2 file.ttg.p).

I had some luck using a TextEdit on the mac to find and replace a string, but attempting it in Filemaker (even just pasting in the application and copying right out again) locks the POS X and Y of the all of the text and puts them all in the center of the screen on top of one another.

Thanks
David

[John Montgomery]

Too funny — I actually tried this about 4 years ago and had a good start at it. I’ll see if I can track the file down.

Do I still have that Syquest disk? 😉

ddinisco wrote:

I know this a weird request but I was wondering if anyone has tried to generate flame Text files from another application other than Flame (I am attempting Filemaker). We are trying to automatically generate slates based on a template, as we generate many of these everyday. The cutsheet info is already in Filemaker, and since this is the same as the slate info I was wondering if there was some clever way to capture this data and turn it into the ttg files that Flame uses. There are two files generated for each Text file created by Flame (1 file.ttg, 2 file.ttg.p).

I had some luck using a TextEdit on the mac to find and replace a string, but attempting it in Filemaker (even just pasting in the application and copying right out again) locks the POS X and Y of the all of the text and puts them all in the center of the screen on top of one another.

Thanks
David

[ddinisco]

Wow that would be great. I didn’t think that anyone would have attempted this.

Thanks
David

[ddinisco]

Here are a few more findings:

It does NOT appear to work using just BBEdit either. TextEdit is the only app that appears not screw with the ttg file. Again do a direct comparison with the original file and the copy/pasted file show EXACT MATCHES with all apps however.

In Flame the result when using Filemaker and BBEdit is the same. I end up with only two or three layers of the layers six in the template ttg. And all of the layers end up at POSX 0 and POSY 0, all left justified. The animation curves matches the visual result, but neither match the ttg file (POSX -260 and POSY 160, right justified).

I am now obsessed with making this work, as it would save countless hours every week.

[wolf]

i did some experiments not to long ago to do exactly what you describe ddinisco. unlike john i was less sucessfull.
i would love to see your findings since i agree for slating purposes and also
tracking media and creating database entries and logs this would be a great way to go.

i would love for you guys to keep me in the loop if indeed you find some
exciting filemaker to flame procedure and are willing to share the fruit of your labor with me.

[email protected]

Wolfgang Maschin

Flame* | Shake | Softimage

[Author]

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