Design SuiteSaving and exporting Marionette networks

Creating Marionette object styles

The Marionette objects (also known as object nodes) created by a network can be saved as Marionette object style resources, that are accessed in the Resource Manager and can be shared just like any other resource (see Creating custom resource libraries and Resource Manager). Using a Marionette object style speeds up the process of copying and pasting the Marionette-generated objects in the drawing, makes the Marionette object a shareable resource, and allows you to run Marionette scripts directly from the Resource Manager. 

Marionette object styles use the plug-in object style system (see Concept: Plug-in object styles), with a few additional features specific to Marionette.  The custom parameters in a Marionette object style are always set by instance; the only parameter that can be set by style is Reset on move. However, the script itself is set by style and can be edited to affect all instances that use the style. 

Create a Marionette object style from an unstyled Marionette object as described in Standard plug-in object styles without catalog options. If needed, click Edit in the Plug-in Object Style dialog box to edit the style's script.

Saving a network as a Python script

Command

Path

Save Marionette Script as Python Script

Context menu

Saving a Marionette network as a Python script is recommended for advanced users as a method for debugging scripts that are not working correctly.

To save any Marionette network or node as a Python script:

Select the command.

The Save as Python Script dialog box opens.

Specify the file name and destination, and then click Save.

Saving nodes and networks

Any Marionette network, node, or object can be converted into a red symbol for ease of sharing and reuse. This allows you to reuse or share potentially complex scripts with less experienced users, opening up the possibility of creating and sharing custom plug-in objects.

To create a customized library of Marionette nodes:

Create a symbol for each node, with the node in the symbol, as described in Creating symbol definitions. Name the symbol with the name of the node it contains. Select Convert to Plug-in Object to create a red symbol.

Save the file of symbols in your user folder, in the Libraries/Defaults/Marionette folder.

Place the network symbol in a wrapper node to use the network contained within the symbol. Multiple object node red symbols with complex networks can affect computer performance.

An object node can also be converted to a black symbol for reuse. This allows you to share a Marionette-created object with other users without easily allowing access to the original script.

See Concept: Vectorworks symbols for more information.

Marionette node types

Inserting a node with the Marionette tool

Marionette networks

Marionette wrapper nodes

Creating menu commands from wrapper nodes

Using object nodes

Marionette object properties

Marionette tutorial: Creating a simple extrude

Marionette tutorial: Creating a simple cabinet

 

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