Time Interval Condition

 

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The Time Interval Condition is used to define a range of time in which something can occur. This is a very useful way of limiting the time span for a specific test or other set of operators to function. For instance, you could use the Time Interval Condition to set the start and stop time to emit particles or check for a collision, etc.

Operator Inputs 

ON - (Bool) This input data stream determines whether the operator is considered 'on' or 'off'. You can connect other operators to this input channel such as a Bool Helper to activate/deactivate the whole operator.

Time - (Time) This input data stream is used to define the local time for the operator when the user wants to override the default system time.

StartFrame - (Frame) This input data stream is used to override the Start Frame spinner value.

EndFrame - (Frame) This input data stream is used to override the End Frame spinner value.

Invert - (Bool) This input data stream determines whether or not the Time Interval is computed between the Start and Stop Frame settings (Invert = off), or if the Start and Stop Frame settings are excluded from the valid time range (Invert = on).

Operator Outputs
 
Out - (Bool) This output data stream sends a true message if the threshold value is reached, and a false message the threshold is not met.

Rollout Menu 

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Start Frame - This spinner is used to set the frame at which the condition is activated.

End Frame - This spinner is used to set the frame at which the condition is turned off.

Invert checkbox - If this option is checked, the range of values used for the Time Interval lay between the Start Frame and End Frame settings to create a true condition. Numbers that fall outside of this range will be treated as a false condition.

When this option is unchecked, Start Frame and End Frame represent a range of numbers that will be excluded from the condition's valid range.

For example, let's say that Start Frame = 11 and End Frame = 40, and that the Output data stream is being piped into the ON input data stream for particle creation. When the Invert checkbox is off, particles will be generated between frames 11 and 40. When the Invert checkbox is on, particles will be generated from frames 0-10 and again from frame 41 to 100.