Faster workflow using voice-activated macros
interpolator
So I found an awesome piece of software today called VoiceMacro.
I've been using it with Houdini to instantly drop down nodes just by saying their name, and I'm already working way faster. I'm sure I could do the same thing in substance designer, but I haven't got around to it yet.
Basically, I'm finding it to be useful for binding a huge number of macros, without having to remember all the keys for them. Or physically have all the keys.
The way I'm using it looks like this;
First I had to set up a key-bound macro in the software for listening, so it would only try to activate macros while a certain key was held down.
Then I have the voice macros. One for instantly adding a line node would look like this;
I would say "Add line", then the macro activates.
Press Tab
Pause 0.001 Seconds
Press L
Press I
Press N
Press E
Press Enter
Then after about a quarter of a second from when I said the command, it drops down a line node.
Which is way faster than having to press tab, type L I, then mouse over Line and select it.
I'm confident much crazier things than this can be done with it.
You can also set up different profiles of macros that get enabled when certain programs are active.
For example, it'll only activate those Houdini macros I made if Houdini is my active window.
If I said "Add Line" right now it would do nothing.
I've been using it with Houdini to instantly drop down nodes just by saying their name, and I'm already working way faster. I'm sure I could do the same thing in substance designer, but I haven't got around to it yet.
Basically, I'm finding it to be useful for binding a huge number of macros, without having to remember all the keys for them. Or physically have all the keys.
The way I'm using it looks like this;
First I had to set up a key-bound macro in the software for listening, so it would only try to activate macros while a certain key was held down.
Then I have the voice macros. One for instantly adding a line node would look like this;
I would say "Add line", then the macro activates.
Press Tab
Pause 0.001 Seconds
Press L
Press I
Press N
Press E
Press Enter
Then after about a quarter of a second from when I said the command, it drops down a line node.
Which is way faster than having to press tab, type L I, then mouse over Line and select it.
I'm confident much crazier things than this can be done with it.
You can also set up different profiles of macros that get enabled when certain programs are active.
For example, it'll only activate those Houdini macros I made if Houdini is my active window.
If I said "Add Line" right now it would do nothing.
Replies
Seems like Houdini probably has a clunky clunky UX if its search/autocomplete cannot do this smoothly ! It's pretty awful that it requires you to use the mouse after doing keyboard-based search/autocomplete.
This matches with the experience I've had of the program back when I played with it a few months back - very powerful, but quite poor UX wise.
It's almost identical to how substance designer works, except that you press tab instead of space
CAD programs are pretty damn good at that sort of stuff - starting a line is just hitting the L key followed directly by arguments, quite similarly to coding. It's interesting how highly technical environments like Houdini and Painter are often not too great at allowing people to work fast (as in, really fast).
Will definitely try this tool for photoshop actions - at the very least it'll be fun to play around with
shame you'll have to swap the lowrider for an aeron though.
Either using a keyboard with extra keys or one hotkey to start the macro tool and a second to start the macro I want.
I can't see this being a thing in studio's at all tbh. People talk over each other, and if they are talking about similar things I see a lot of issues popping up when the app accidentally picks up 'hotkeys' and executes them without you wanting or knowing it.
jStins said:
On second thought ....
Cut: fruit ninja slice
Bridge: index and middle fingers come together
Brush strength: pinch motion
Or use the sign language alphabet as replacements for traditional key binds.
There are apps that read sign language, so maybe you could just have your phone sitting next to your keyboard and wave your fingers over it to activate it. hummm... It would need to be super responsive and never f*ck up so a phone app probably wouldn't work, ha.
@Mark Dygert I know a guy who was all about the leap motion until he got one. It sounded like it's just too inaccurate and/or slow to be of any use. I think he complained about the config/UI being too obnoxious, but he also thinks the Maya UI is bad.
I don't know how useful that would be. But if you manage to make it work without making yourself looking awkward. Damn right sign me in.
also if voice commands is a possibility. Then what about eye movement macros.
http://polycount.com/discussion/182117/using-3ds-max-with-voice-recognition
http://polycount.com/discussion/182117/using-3ds-max-with-voice-recognition
Currently I don't use any macros but remapped the application key to work as a modifier like Fn on laptops. If I wanted to use macros I'd map them to Fn, super easy and fast to access.