New Visual Editor for AviSynth

[vion11]

:scared: Argh - I accidently hit edit instead of quote!! :(

I'm sorry - I accidently removed half your message :(

[...] [killed by sh0dan]
For explanation, the quick rec709
thing with ConvertToRGB, has turned 30+ graphs
from running to useless. What can be done to avoid this
sort of changes?

What about ConvertColorSpace(inType, outType, specs)?

[...] [killed by sh0dan]

However, at the moment I'm trying to get avs_invoke running.
Further I'd like to see some screenshots from running graphs,
with more than 10 filter, to get an idea how to implement
a pretty printer or auto-organize filters function.

[vion11]

This was the first implementation for creating proper
parameter strings, its the most vulnerable function.

It should work on all functions, but it doesn't.....

Public Property Get ParamStr() As String

If IsOptional And Value = "" Then
ParamStr = ""

ElseIf Not IsOptional And Value <> "" Then
If ParamType = "string" Then
ParamStr = """" & Value & """"
Else
ParamStr = Value
End If

ElseIf IsOptional And Value <> "" Then
If ParamType = "string" Then
ParamStr = ParamName & "=" & """" & Value & """"
Else
ParamStr = ParamName & "=" & Value
End If

ElseIf Not IsOptional And Value = "" Then
ParamStr = "Error"

End If

End Property

[Kaiousama]

Originally posted by vion11
The latest version (0.3.0) counts 56 downloads
and absolutely no feedback except from Kaiousama.

Don't know the reasons, may be to complicated,
setup doesn't works, where are the features,
filter doesn't work, how can I save, whatever.

You can load, change and save graphs, what is missing?


Maybe i can provide you a possible answer (telling my experience)....

I've tested for the first time AVE at my university workstation, all is gone right (the pc was reformatted the day before, so i've worked on a clean windowsXP installation) and i was really amazed by your application.
Now i'm at my home pc and i can't find a way to start AVE properly, the application hangs on inital splash screen, it says all filters were correctly loaded but the splash screen remains still. if i click with mouse nothing happens, if i press "enter" key the application exits.

I tried AVE at my friend's home pc and the result is exactly the same, the program hangs on inital splash screen....

I don't know where is the problem, can you suggest me what can i check, or try to reinstall, in order to start AVE properly?

Maybe other people didn't gave you their reports because they failed to start AVE.

I agree with Shodan that AVE has a great potential, and it can place the basis for implementing graphical properties pages into avisynth filters, in this way each filter will be configurable, without the needing of an updated XML file that lists each filter's parameters.

I asked if you planned to release AVE sources because i'm also coding an application in VisualBasic (a subtitling application), and maybe i can give you a hand with this language ;)

[morsa]

It takes time for people to begin using a new interface.
Most of advanced avisynth users are really confortable with the simple text-no-GUI interface.

[vion11]

This is the complete init sequence, whats your last line?


Starting AVE Version 0.3.0

Checking system...
79 % Memory free.
Windows 2000 detected

Searching INI File...
C:\Development\AVEditor\AVEditor.ini
INI-Version: 0.3

Running in DEBUG Mode!

Initialising objects..

Checking AviSynth...
avisynth.dll: 2.5.5.0
Checking AviSynth Api ...
Response OK

Checking PluginMode...
using registry
13 plugins found

Checking functions...
Using ave - Functions.xml
212 functions(s) found.

Importing descriptions...
Loading English
37 description(s) found

Searching AviSynth documentation...
Using C:\Tools\AviSynth 2.5\docs\

Preparing workplace...
4 forms successful loaded.

Importing userfunctions...
3 userfunction(s) found.

Importing graphs...
2 graph(s) found.

Preparing graphmanager...

Preparing object chooser
... OK

Opening forms

Initialisation finished
0 error(s)

Doubleclick to continue...

[vion11]

Originally posted by Kaiousama
.... and it can place the basis for implementing graphical properties pages into avisynth filters, in this way each filter will be configurable, without the needing of an updated XML file that lists each filter's parameters. I see no need for coding grapical property pages, as long the
parameters are well defined they can be created on the fly with
sliders, droppers, choosers, radio buttons, edit boxes, drop down
combos.....

[Kaiousama]

When i start AVE i can see the following sentences appear on hanged splash screen:

Editor\AVEditor.ini
INI-Version: 0.3

Initialising objects..

Checking Avisynth...
avisynth.dll: 2.5.5.0
Api disabled.

Checking PluginMode...
using registry
26 plugins found

Checking functions...
Using ave - Functions.xml


And the "212 functions(s) found." you written 2 posts before does not appear as well as all the rest.

Because the last checked thing is xml file i reinstalled m$ xml parser (i have version 4.0 sp2 with SDK on my system) but nothing changed.

[Kaiousama]

I've found the problem!
It was due to my version of M$ XML parser, i had 4.0 sp2, i uninstalled it and installed version 3.0 sp4 and all is solved, AVE now starts properly and i can use your GUI to create avisynth scripts, YATTA!

Maybe it would be useful if AVE during initializations checks even if the proper version of XML parser is installed on user's system ;)

[vion11]

I'll upgrade AVEditor to Version 4 and link to the merge package
for download. THX for lighten up the MS DLL hell.

[Kaiousama]

After my first usage of AVE with on my home pc i have some suggestion for you:

1) I feel the lacking of a classical menu with "open scrpt" and "save script" commands.

2) Can you add a preview window where users can watch the effect of each added filter?

3) Bug report: I have resized the "Functions list" window with the "[s]" button, but i've resized it too much so the "[s]" button is not visible anymore and i can't resize anymore the window nor bringing it to normal size ^_^ can you limit minimal resize to window's title size?

4) When i add a new filter to the graph, how can i remove it? (i tried to select the filter and press "Cancel" key but nothing happens)

5) Can you provide auto-arrangment for on-screen filters (like windows' auto arrangment for icons)?

6) Can you add combobox for selecting enumerated plugin properties? (see the example for detailed explaination)

Assume we want to add "Deen" filter; i drag deen out from filters box and select it.
Now i have to choose the "String name" property, valid values are only "a2d", "a3d", "c3d". I know it because i read the documentation but a newcomer doesn't know it. Having a combobox with this options enumerated would be a great solution.

7) Remaining on "Deen" example, i make the same consideration for the "clip" field, having a combobox with a list of avaible clip's names used in actual script would be a good thing.

8) Remaining on "Deen" example, another interesting feature would be to have a ToolTipText for each parameter's textbox indicating valid ranges for the parameter's value.

9) Many filters have the same icon, so graphically is a little disorienting if you are using more than one filter of each type; can you add also the name on the graphical representation of each filter?

I hope this feedback may help you.

p.s. I have a newbie-coder question: if i have an unknow filter's dll file on my hard disk, can i retrieve the function name and the parameter's number&type in order to call this function? (note i haven'r an header file, only the raw dll)

[sh0dan]

For explanation, the quick rec709
thing with ConvertToRGB, has turned 30+ graphs
from running to useless. What can be done to avoid this
sort of changes?

What about ConvertColorSpace(inType, outType, specs)?

The "matrix" option has been present since 1.0, but maybe not properly documented. I've tried very hard not to break compatibelity, by only adding new options, without removing or redefining anything. This is crucial for plugins depending on Invoke.

Having to define input CS doesn't make any sense IMO. When you use ConvertToXXXX you KNOW which CS is returned. Having a single Convert with different enabled/disabled options not only makes the code complex, but also makes scripting harder.


However, at the moment I'm trying to get avs_invoke running.
Further I'd like to see some screenshots from running graphs,
with more than 10 filter, to get an idea how to implement
a pretty printer or auto-organize filters function.

The main problem for me is that I don't know anything about VB, or the c-style interface. If it was written in VC++ it could have been much easier for me to help, and for you to interface with AviSynth, plus you don't have to worry (that much) about dll-dependencies and installation issues.

[stax76]

"I'll upgrade AVEditor to Version 4 and link to the merge package
for download. THX for lighten up the MS DLL hell."

here are some interesting articles that contain insight about the versioning dilemma. Since you are using VB6, COM+ and Win32 which are all more or less legacy technologies the articles should be particularly interesting for you

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/homepageheadlines/hejlsberg/default.aspx

[vion11]

I see, the GUI is not self explaining enough. I think is it
useful to forget everything about MS designed user-interfaces.
After that play Black&White for 2 days and start again with AVEditor.
There are enough keyboard editors for Avisynth, this one becomes
mouse only. So you have one hand free for coffee, cigarettes, ...

1) Sorry, no menus, once a script is saved, its available from
the graph-tree. Drag 'n' drop is much easier than
open->searching->choosing->yes, i will open->moving around

2) A preview of every filter is planned...

3) Yes, this is still crazy, thinking about...
For now you can change in the ini-file to:
frmObjectsXYWH =118 154 204 331 -1 -1
Btw try doubleclick on the captionbar.

4)There is a recycling system in the upper left corner, move
the filter onto and drop it. Save system works same. Dropping
the output onto disk saves as autoload.

5)I will, but still searching best solution, how do YOU
arrange a graph with more then 2 inputs and about 10 other filters??
Gimme screenshots.

6)You may enter values with mouse, hold mouse button and move around.
Try float values: moving mouse vertical changes values before the dot
and horizontal behind.

7) Haven't worked with Deen, gimme some time..

8) Yes, dealing with min and max values is missing,
but prepared.

9)64 pixel are not enough space for "Convolution3d". May be
the tooltips will help in future. Anybody interested in creating icons?

(there are keyboard cheats available (Space, m, x, f, r, s)

[vion11]

@sh0dan
First I have to give the C API the correct datatypes.
That means knowledge about integers, long, array, types.
This is a lot of try and error.

Second task are correct values. Understanding the purpose of
avs_value in avisynth_c. How to put 'c' into a short, ....?

When I reach level 2, I'll have concrete questions and we can
communicate in terms of avisynth.

Following weekend is carneval here and there is time a lot
to work on AVE, all profesional things are interupted or out of
order by legal drugs ;-)

[vion11]

@doom9 team members

Is there a chance to get some webspace for pics and
typo for a guide on AVEditor?

[stax76]

also you could the AviSynth wiki

[Bandung]

Vion11, Dolemite,
Is version 0.4 available for download? If so, where does one find it? I love where this project is heading and would like to continue to follow it.

[vion11]

Actually I'm dealing with the current Avisynth version,
which extends namespace in terms of plugins.

Updates will be announced here and at .org when
I finished primary lesson on wiki.

@Bandung
tell me and others please, what especially and in general
you like to see.

It is feedback motivates coder!

[Richard Berg]

Actually I'd prefer not to start putting documentation for various GUIs on the main wiki. I can give you your own webspace, though; PM me if you like. (As a bonus, this will actually work ;) -- the wiki isn't editable right now)

[Bandung]

I agree with Richard Berg. I am an ardent supporter of Wiki's but I'm not sure that putting documentation on it for this project is the best way to go. Let me encourage you to take his offer of the web space. If you need a backup or mirror site, I am also willing to donate to the cause as well.

vion11
While my initial interest was strictly in a visual editor for AviSync, I am more than intrigued with the prospects of taking several video streams and combining them into an interactive story board using this technology. (For sure, it would be after all of the pre and post video processsing was done). The real challenge would be to combine these cuts on the fly.

I know some theatre students at university who would love to play around with something as interactive as this. It would be a wonderful way to teach screenplay writing.

[((( atom )))]

@vion11

just downloaded your app - will test right away.
one thing: i guess it would make sense, to either always use the same link for downloading or keep the initial post updated. i had to look through the thread for quite a while to find the proper link.

regards,

[vion11]

As advised download links are now at top of thread.

Current version now: 0.3.3
There is a new guide and download (http://www.avisynth.org/vion11/aveguide.html) available.

Changes:
- frame preview per filter
- auto organize filters
- experimental AVI Export (video only)
- better INI handling
- updated to msxml 4

ps: some time ago I've read here a posting
how vdm checks errors from avisynth with
queryinterface. Now I've found corresponding
visual basic sources, but can't find
the post anymore. If somebody can provide the
link, it would help me to make AVE some robuster.

[vion11]

EDITED to nothing

[Guest]

What has happend to this great project? Been hanging around here a month before I came across this ass-kicker way of using avisynth. I hope that it is not dead?

Tin2tin

[vion11]

Originally posted by Guest
I hope that it is not dead? Thanks for nice feedback!

AVEditor is not dead, but kind of frozen.
There are some minor changes not really worth
to release now. This includes folder for
user objects, import for (new) functions
and delete for userfunctions and graphs as well.

Also there is a maintainance window for all
xml stuff at 80 percent. It will make plugin
defiitions interchangable with other editors.

On top I think about including some advanced
scripts from users here at doom9 converted
to userfunctions to give beginners a starting
point. But that now just an idea, not sure about.

I anticipate version 3.0 to establish most convienient
editing thinkable T_2 has it described here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=499642&highlight=webpage#post499642)
In short it provides three levels of representations of avisynth scripts:

- as script - to edit with notepad, etc.
- as graph - to edit with AVEditor ;-)
- as video - to watch with mediaplayer

To reach this point Avisynth itself should be capable to
tell any graph editor about its internal graph in terms of filters,
functions, parameters and child filters.

If I could see TicTacToe (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59197&highlight=tictactoe)as graph in AVEditor,
I'll release version 1.0 as soon as possible.

[CirTap]

Hi vion11,

any news about this nice and promising project?
I was playing a little with AVE and the more "artistic" approach of using AviSynth is what interests me.

However, the GUI (as you know<g>) is very "interesting" - so to say - and setting filter and function parameters isn't very comfy. From looking at the XML file, it should be possible to create more suitable widgets such as sliders, checkboxes, select list etc.

On top I think about including some advanced
scripts from users here at doom9 converted
to userfunctions to give beginners a starting
point. But that now just an idea, not sure about.
IMHO having "User functions" or "libraries" would be a very good and powerful feature to have.
This could fairly well put AVE into the post processing stage of the footage, if more "classic" stuff like cut, mix, transition would be available in the interface.
Just an idea: each "library script" comes with an XML file similar to those you have to describe the params and GUI to use and control them. That would turn these scripts into "components" (to not overstress the term "plugin") like i.e. in Dreamweaver, and would make the editor highly customizable.
IMHO, all the basic technologies of a typical "video composer" are built into AviSynth, with some "smart" app ontop of it it should be possible to perform even advanced NLE tasks like in Premiere ... maybe.

So, in case you haven't fully abandoned this project, I'd lke to know if you need any assistance -- except .NET programming ;-) I only know VB and various scripting languages, and I'm pretty well in GUI design.

Have fun,
CirTap

[vion11]

Great - it seams there are users
still interested in GUIs for Avisynth.

There are bad and good news:

Bad first:
I will not continue work on AVEditor, sources
are published and everybody may use them to
extend it.

Good news:
Developpers(ShawnFumo) are working on NLE-editors based on AviSynth and
AVEditor becomes an extension of AIME - Interactive Movie Editor.

What does that mean ..?

AIME will use AVE as an COM Object to define scripts.
I think interactive movies have a great potential and why not
use AviSynth as an engine to adjust/edit given clips.

AIME will do next step in editing videos, an approach
based on timelines and graphs, using transparent layers
to show not to hide essential information, integrating
video editing and DVD authoring in same interface for
users convenience.

Currently data layer is finished (using new symbol technologie)
and I'm at 85% of GUI-Layer. When finished GUI and minimum
of application logic downloads will be available.

So please wait for AIME or help to speed up development ;-)
PMs are a good idea to contact me on AIME, questions about
AVE sources are answered in existing thread.

[CirTap]

Wow!
This sounds very promising! I'm glad to hear you didn't fully aboandon the idea.
Great - it seams there are users
still interested in GUIs for Avisynth.
you bet! it's not all techies here ;-)

I'm also tracking ShawnFumo thread, hope there's something comming up soon :D

Put me on your list for beta testing 8-)

Have fun,

CirTap

[hanfrunz]

AVEditor becomes an extension of AIME - Interactive Movie Editor.

where do i find AIME? Google only finds this thread...

[vion11]

AIME is waiting for AviSynth 3.0 and the new GUI integration.
It is not ready, but code is that old now it does not matter
who continues the project. Anybody interested ?

AIME already has a triple buffered GUI renderer,
understands translucent display layer with GDI Plus
and has a full featured Drag 'n' Drop Interface.

Actions drive the interface, so it has unlimited undo!

Its coded in VB6, ahem, but there an upgrade path to VB.NET.

Do not expect something slow, it was developped with a
900MHZ machine and you know time is money.

En plus, there is a nice XML Reader, capable of creating object
hierarchies and instances while running included with sources.

You reading right it converts XML to working objects accessible
during runtime.

Real Screenshot (http://exploreourpla.net/screens/aime-screenshot05.jpg)

It was designed to author DVDs with DVDAuthor so
there is a working DVD Object which creates proper
commandline command to build titlesets, chapters, subtitle
and commands.

Currently I'm involved in an Internet project (http://exploreourpla.net/?geoLink=999) and there is no time
for me in the next months to continue.

I think AIME has enough potential to quake the
professional scene, so if anybody wants and is capable
to continue, tell me what you like to do.

You should have an good overall experience in windows
GUI programming, nothing for beginners!

In any case it hopefully boosts the Avisynth 3.0 Development.


--
vion11

[hanfrunz]

I worked with apple's shake a few days ago and i like it's GUI a lot. :)

[Nick Less]

erm, how do i save a script with this program? everthing works, except there is no icon for saving? there's no recycling box either :scared:

[vion11]

Well, it is hidden, drag the filter to left side of the workplace and you'll see.