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XPresso can be employed to perform simple mathematical functions. In fact, Maxon has provided the user with so many math operators, you might need to crack open your old trig books in order to understand all of the options.
Introduce XPresso
In order to engage XPresso ("XP"), we'll need an Expression Tag. Because the XP tag can't generate a value to operate on itself, I'll make a Null and attach the tag to it.[an error occurred while processing this directive]
A single click on the tag reveals its Attributes. I want to add a controller, this can be done through the pull down menu creating User Data.
Introduce data
User Data is an incredibly versatile window. I haven't begun to tap all of its potential, but is, of course, also very easy to use.
Name: I'll name it DEPTH
Data Type: I'm just going to allow integers (whole numbers)
Interface: I'll allow for a slider.
MIN/MAX: I'll limit the slider to 0-1000
Step=1
Of course all of these parameters are completely subjective, but supply values for an equation that we will allow XP to calculate. If you need to edit the User Data, CMD-click will bring up a contextual menu that will allow you to edit the user field.
Reason for math
One personal irritant was extrude NURBS' extrusion value always kicking the object's mass into Z-depth, requiring me to fish it back to the 0 mark. XPresso cures that in an easy step that I can import to every project.
Create an Extrusion NURBS and a Spline object. Make the spline a child of the NURBS. C4D defaults to 20m, meaning the center of my extrusion is now 10m beyond 0. In order to pull the center back to 0, I'll have to input a value of -10m into Z. If the client wants to change the depth of the extrusion, I have to change the offset of the position as well. XPresso can manage both for me.
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