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In Motion, is there a way to get the File Generator to recognize numbers as numbers? I have a list of numbers I'd like to link to a status bar.
I found several tutorials on YouTube that I watched. But none of them address linking the File Generator specifically.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
MacBook Pro (M2, 2022)
You can use Numbers for a wide variety of purposes, but not with the File Generator.
The File generator is only useful for one single file of text which makes the point of publishing anything from Motion that uses it practically useless for Final Cut. You cannot publish the File source or Browse menu/chooser. Changing the display contents always requires going into the original file and making changes there.
If necessary, a File Generator can make creating a Subtitles track easier.
Simon Ubsdell uses it for "Word Cloud" effects. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVO-ezWhPgc)
In general, there are no objects in Motion that "recognize" numbers as numbers — there's no way to "parse" numbers out of any kind of text (which is unfortunate in some cases, like reading metadata from FCP). There are no text objects in Motion that will convert a Numbers value to text either — no way to add/insert a numeric value into a "string" of text characters. To pull off that illusion it is necessary to use one or more text objects aligned to a Numbers object (or vice versa).
For the most part, if you're just learning Motion, you can put off learning about the File generator... I think I've used it, like, 3 times in 17 years.
Sorry if this disappoints.
That was a fantastic tutorial. Thanks for sharing. And thanks for answering multiple questions from me today. I'm new to Motion (just discovered it). It looks like it can accomplish the task I'm attempting with it. In the process, I'm finding that it's actually a pretty fantastic addition - like the other half of FCP that I never knew existed - that can expand the kind of videos I like to make. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I'm also a Data Analyst by trade, which makes stats, measures, and numbers the origins for a lot of creative ideas I have. lol.
I'm experimenting with the File Generator because conceptually, it's exactly what I need for my project. I can replace the contents and resave the txt file found in the Generator's Media folder, and it updates it in the Generator view in both Motion and FCP. The number/text I have is already on a steady set cadence; so, it's easy to match it up accurately to my footage on the timeline.
While it would be nice to have a well or something to drop the file into my custom generator in FCP, it's not a deal breaker at this point. But, I would like some of my other objects to animate based on the number values found in the text document - even if I had to tag them as such in the text document. - so many possibilities if there was more people could do more with the text document.
I've been on a multi-day hunt (it's a hobby at this point) to see if I can find anything about additional functionality to unlock via the file. For example, XML or HTML, etc. could really make this incredible. Even just an additional box to check in the File Generator that says, "Number Recognition" or something would be awesome.
I would be completely and utterly stoked if they made the File Generator so it could handle a visual-coding-type file that could be written in LOGO or some more modern equivalent. Stock graphics based on the actual history of stocks tied to Yahoo Finance or drawing accurate trails on Geo data, and drawing ECGs out, etc... so many neat applications for that type of feature. But really, I'm trying to use it more shallow. lol
Not as far as I know, but if there is a way to do it, I'm sure our great expert Fox M will tell us soon.
File Generator and number recognition in In Motion
