How can I get numeric samples into Motion?

Question

How can I get numeric samples into Motion?

After trying many different approaches and scouring the internet and AI chat bots for solutions, I'm back with nearly the same questions as asked before.

How can I get thousands of numeric values into Apple Motion and have them recognized as numeric values? I haven't been able to find a solution to this after diligent searching for weeks. I've even tried using AppleScript, etc. The closest I've been able to get is via the Text Generator - which will display the number values, but doesn't make them recognizable as number values for other generators or effects.

Here's what I'm trying to do: I have several types of numeric values for various measures contained in text documents (think of stock-price samples over time that need to be tied to animated graphs and gauges). I want to be able to import these number values as text, and have them recognized by other functions in Motion as numeric values. The closest I've been able to find to accomplish this is to convert the file somehow into audio data - because Motion recognizes Audi data in a similar numeric fashion. But, I haven't been able to find a solution for converting my numeric data into audio waves.

How can I do this? For example, I might tie number samples to a shape that would move around on an X/Y grid based on coordinates. Or I might have a speedometer-type graphic that turns based on the number values. Or I might have a volume graphic that lowers/depletes over time based on volume samples. But, I have far too many samples to try to keyframe them manually. And I'd like to be able to replace old numbers with new numbers.

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Jan 26, 2025 5:33 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 31, 2025 12:52 AM in response to Joey Delli Gatti

I thought something like that would work.

Once you get the structure right, a little script could be done to read the numbers off a file and write the xml for you. Excel can save as a cav file. Most of the xml is fixed, and the script can resd from file and generate the text to compose the xml.

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Answer 2

fox_m

Level 6

12,859 points

Jan 26, 2025 11:20 PM in response to Joey Delli Gatti

I'd like to be able to tell you there was a way to get Numbers to "read" a text file... it's just not going to happen.

If you're willing to spend all that time typing in values, then there is another way to do the data entry within Motion that will give you X/Y relationships. Just create a shape (any). Turn off the visibility and use it as a "null object".

Set the position at 0,0. Then, for each value you need to enter, go from X -> 1, enter a Y value; move to X -> 2, enter the next value.

For each X position, you can read the Y position. You can manipulate the values with Numbers - using it to move the null shape to the X value, then accessing what the Y value is at that point — in other words:

null shape X position > Link to Numbers(x) Value

Numbers (y) Value > Link to null shape Y position

X values will be progressed by 1 px for each value of Y needed.

If you're doing "stocks" (in $$.¢¢) you can set the Numbers(y) Value to be Currency.

Hope this makes sense.

The work will be tedius. There is a method of "data entry" that can help speed it up (as long as you get into the "rhythm" and pace of it.) Let me know if you'd be interested in pursuing this technique. (It's too late right now for me to get into it... have to be tomorrow sometime.)

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Answer 3

Jan 30, 2025 11:47 PM in response to fox_m

I think that sparked an idea. I sort of took that approach. I experimented with the Motion XML file. I created a simple project with a single object and moved it both X and Y and saved the file. Then I went into Microsoft Excel using a formula to format all of my data points within X and Y-formatted tags. With some trial and error replacing/pasting the values in over the original project shape's movements, and resaving the XML and opening it again in Motion, it worked. This method will be a pain, and, I'm sure, not encouraged. But still, it is possible. Unfortunately, I don't know everything about Excel and how/what Motion can read from them. It would be super nice to just be able to put a link in the XML file to another file containing the supplemental XML code with my values. It would be a step closer to legitimate. Ultimately, it would be nice to have access to a File Generator that would allow other parts of Motion to recognize them as number values.

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Answer 4

Jan 31, 2025 10:59 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

It's something for now anyhow.

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How can I get numeric samples into Motion?

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