snapshot

Go to: Synopsis. Return value. Flags. Python examples.

Synopsis

snapshot( [objects] , [anchorTransform=string], [constructionHistory=boolean], [endTime=time], [increment=time], [motionTrail=boolean], [name=string], [offsetParentMatrix=boolean], [startTime=time], [update=string])

Note: Strings representing object names and arguments must be separated by commas. This is not depicted in the synopsis.

snapshot is undoable, queryable, and editable.

If the constructionHistory flag is true, the output shapes or motion trail will re-update when modifications are made to the animation or construction history of the original shape. When construction history is used, the forceUpdate flag can be set to false to control when the snapshot recomputes, which will typically improve performance.

Return value

In query mode, return type is based on queried flag.

Flags

Long name (short name)	Argument types	Properties
anchorTransform(at)	string
The motion trail will be created relative to the specified transform. For example, if an animated camera is used as the anchor transform then the resulting motion trail will be displayed in camera-space instead of world-space. By default the resulting motion trail is parented under the anchor transform object but this behaviour can be changed using the offsetParentMatrix flag
constructionHistory(ch)	boolean
update with changes to original geometry
endTime(et)	time
time to stop copying target geometry Default: 10.0
increment(i)	time
time increment between copies Default: 1.0
motionTrail(mt)	boolean
Rather than create a series of surfaces, create a motion trail displaying the location of the object's pivot point at the specified time steps. Default is false.
name(n)	string
the name of the snapshot node. Query returns string.
offsetParentMatrix(opm) 2025	boolean
This flag is used to constrain the motion trail to the anchor transform object using the offset parent matrix attribute instead of parenting it under the anchor transform object.
startTime(st)	time
time to begin copying target geometry Default: 1.0
update(u)	string
This flag can only be used if the snapshot has constructionHistory. It sets the snapshot node's update value. The update value controls whether the snapshot updates on demand (most efficient), when keyframes change (efficient), or whenever any history changes (least efficient). Valid values are "demand", "animCurve", "always". Default: "always"

Flag can appear in Create mode of command	Flag can appear in Edit mode of command
Flag can appear in Query mode of command	Flag can have multiple arguments, passed either as a tuple or a list.

Python examples

import maya.cmds as cmds

# animate a sphere
cmds.sphere(n='sphere1')
cmds.currentTime('0')
cmds.setKeyframe('.t')
cmds.currentTime('30')
cmds.move(10,0,1)
cmds.setKeyframe('.t')

# Evaluate and display "sphere1" as it appears
# at times 0, 10, 20, and 30.  Modifications to sphere1
# will update the copies.
#
cmds.snapshot( 'sphere1', constructionHistory=True, startTime=0, endTime=30, increment=10 )

# Evaluate and display "sphere1" as it appears
# at times 0, 10, 20, and 30.  Further modifications to sphere1
# should have no affect on the copies since constructionHistory is off.
#
cmds.snapshot( 'sphere1', constructionHistory=False, startTime=0, endTime=30, increment=10 )