TouchDesigner JSON Network Exporter/Importer

Version: 0.1 beta

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Installation
3. Exporting a Network
4. Importing a Network
5. Troubleshooting
6. Best Practices
7. Support

1. Introduction

The TouchDesigner Network Exporter/Importer is a tool designed to help your workflow by allowing you to export and import TouchDesigner networks as JSON files. This enables easy sharing, versioning, and backup of your projects.

2. Installation

1. Copy the networkExporter.tox file into your TouchDesigner project.

3. Exporting a Network

To export a network:

1. Select the parent component you want to export in your TouchDesigner network.
2. In the network_exporter component, set the following parameters:
   • Parent: Set this to the path of the component you want to export.
   • Outputfolder: Set this to the directory where you want to save the JSON file.
3. Click the Export button on the network_exporter component.
4. The JSON file will be saved in the specified output folder. The filename will be based on the path of the exported component, ensuring unique and identifiable exports.

4. Importing a Network

To import a network:

1. In the network_exporter component, set the following parameters:
   • Jsonfile: Set this to the path of the JSON file you want to import.
   • Target: Set this to the path where you want to import the network. If left empty, it will import to the root of the project.
2. Click the Import button on the network_exporter component.
3. The network structure will be recreated based on the JSON file.

5. Troubleshooting

• If you encounter any errors during export or import, check the TextPort or console for error messages. These messages will help identify the specific issue.
• Common issues include:
  • Incorrect paths for Parent, Outputfolder, or Jsonfile parameters.
  • Permissions issues when writing to the output folder.
  • Incompatible JSON structure (if you're importing a file that wasn't created by this exporter).

6. Best Practices

• Always test the export/import process on a copy of your project before using it on your main project.
• Use meaningful names for your components to make the exported JSON files easily identifiable.
• Keep your export folder organized. Consider using a version control system for managing multiple exports.
• When sharing exported networks, include any custom modules or dependencies that might be necessary for the network to function correctly.