Transparent Background? -ViewCaptureToFile

Scripting
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1

Hello, I am working on a python script that is supposed to make a image for the current view, then hide the current layer, show the next layer and repeat. I was having difficulty with the Rhino.Command(-_Print) and had read that it had known bugs, so the only resources I could find were for the Rhino.Command(-_ViewCaptureToFile). The script seems to be working as intended, the view capture file is accepting my naming convention and going into the right path, but the background is grey and I can’t seem to get the command to accept an input that would change its value. Does anyone know how I can implement Transparent backgrounds, or an alternative method of saving my images to a folder for printing?

The current code I am using for the ViewCaptureToFile is:
“rs.Command(’-_ViewCaptureToFile ‘+chr(34)+Result+i+’.png’+chr(34)+’ _Enter’)”

Thank you to everyone in advance!!

2

Hi @cad7,

Here is a simple, sample script that allows you to to control transparency.

SampleViewCaptureToFile.py

Does this help?

– Dale

3

Hello, Thank you for providing the sample script. I had seen this previously but overlooked the “.TransparentBackground” area, but I had abandoned this script as a reference because I was unable to get it to run from even pasting it into a blank script. I believe this script is a great example for what I am trying to do but I am unaware of how to extract the line I need and get it working when the example itself is not working.

The error I receive when trying to run this code as is:
" Message: attribute ‘ViewCapture’ of ‘namespace#’ object is read-only

Traceback:
line 10, in SampleViewCaptureToFile, “C:\Users\nate\AppData\Local\Temp\TempScript.py”
line 29, in , “C:\Users\nate\AppData\Local\Temp\TempScript.py”
"

4

Hi @cad7,

There script runs here in Rhino 6 SR30 without a hitch…

– Dale

5

I am working in Rhino 5. Is there a way to set the .TransparentBackground to True without the ViewCapture() command that is holding it up? The issue is the view_capture = ViewCapture section, I’d like to, if possible, eliminate all the view_capture lines?

6

Hi @cad7,

I don’t recall if Rhino 5 supported transparency when capturing a view (probably not).

– Dale

7

The option exists in the form of a checkbox when doing ViewCaptureToFile and it works, the issue is getting that to be the default or setting it to True from the script…

8

The RhinoCommon ViewCapture class was added in 6.0

9

Hi @cad7,

In Rhino 5, the ViewCaptureToFile does not display a dialog box, other than to prompt you for the name of the file to save.

Anyway, give this sample a shot:

import rhinoscriptsyntax as rs
import System

folder = System.Environment.SpecialFolder.Desktop
path = System.Environment.GetFolderPath(folder)

filename = System.IO.Path.Combine(path, 'Test.png');
filename = '"' + filename + '"'

cmd = '_-ViewCaptureToFile ' + filename + ' '
cmd = cmd + '_TransparentBackground=_Yes _Enter'

rs.Command(cmd, True)

– Dale

10

Thank you! This is exactly the example I was looking for! I was able to get it working without prompt using the code rs.Command('-_ViewCaptureToFile '+chr(34)+Result+i+'.png'+chr(34)+ ' _TransparentBackground=_Yes'' _Enter') in place of my original. I really appreciate the help!!!