NATO.0+55+3d modular, page 04/14
Media Import / Playback
Media Import/Playback Objects
The `242.film` object is (arguably) the soul of NATO. It is NATO's QuickTime import, playback and editing object. With the exception of QuickDraw 3D films (for which `242.3d` is a better choice), `242.film` is responsible for pretty much every other file type -- films, stills, Flash movies, QuickTime VR, DV, MP3, etc. Click here for a complete list of supported file types.
In addition to basic import and playback, `242.film` accepts a huge number of commands for controlling playback and editing features, too many to cover here. But as a taste, you may adjust playback rate and direction and looping, and you've got total control over the film transport. See below for an example of a basic playback console.
Many of the commands are probably self-evident: read, dispose, start, pause and stop all do what you'd imagine. The loop command takes 3 possible arguments (the $1 indicates a variable -- numbers arriving in the inlet of the message box replace $1) -- 0, 1 or 2 -- which correspond to `no loop`, `forward loop` or `palindrome loop`, respectively. The `<<` and `>>` are rewind/fast forward commands -- the range of their effect is determined by the stepsize command, seen to their left. The rate command determines the playback speed. I've included it twice to demonstrate the two rate modes: the top mode uses a single integer to determine playback speed (x1, x2, x3, etc. or negative numbers for reverse-direction); the bottom mode uses two numbers -- the rate is determined by dividing the first and second numbers (so that you can get speeds between 0 and 1, for instance).
The `242.film` object accepts a `dounload` message, which allows it to read in files from internet URLs. It supports unlimited tracks per film, which can be played and edited independently. It is also capable of importing additional data into a loaded film at any specified point, selecting portions, deleting segments or frames, changing timescales, framerates or codecs. You can even load multiple films into a single film object and switch between them (at random if you like) as they play. Any changes you make to a film can be saved to the original or a new file.
By the way, all of those outlets at the bottom of `242.film` are used to report information -- film name, size, file path, loop-hit-end notification and much more. This permits you to set up complex processes (constructed with basic Max objects) that utilize this information -- probabilistic loopers, smart video shredders, whatever.
The example below shows another media import/playback object at work, `242.3d`.
Although NATO is NOT a modeler, it is capable of rendering and adjusting many of the characteristics of 3D object presentation. You've got control over the object position and scale, and the camera and lights. I'm personally fairly inexperienced with QuickDraw 3D, so I'm only going to mention this object, and show the texture mapping feature.
As you can see, above, I've set up two `242.3d` objects. They share a `read` command (which reads in 3dmf format files). The object displayed on the left ekran is the original, as read in by NATO. The one on the right has the film (shown above) projected onto it as a texture.
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