Dogtags

"Dogtags" are internal annotation shape nodes added to our model and rig files in order to provide version ID within scenes. Dogtags typically exist within the element hierarchy under the "(elem)_ALL" node or the "(elem)_MISC" node (the latter is often employed in the rigging stage).

Dogtag names take the following form:

A dogtag GUI is available for creating, checking and updating dogtags. The dogtag GUI can be invoked with the "Tag it!" shelf icon , or by typing "dogtags;" in the Command Line. For the selected element, clicking on "Check dogTag" loads the field below with a menu list of dogtags which are present in the hierarchy. Toggling between items in the menu list updates the following fields with the current information on that particular tag.

"Element" is derived from the first four characters of the name string. "Type" provides two menu items: model and rig. "Class" provides three menu items: lores, hires and proxy. The "Version" field accepts a version number which should correspond to the version number of the master file, and the "Date" field automates itself based on the computer's calendar.

Note that the "Create/update dogTag" button remains ghosted until either: the fields are filled in manually for an element with no pre-existing dogtags, OR the information listed on the current dogtag is versioned up. For example, when the "Version" field on the rig is updated from "0025.4" (above) to "0026" (below), the "Create" button becomes available for execution.

The "pick" button will select the currently listed dogtag, should some other manipulation or visualization of the node be required.

back