SuperSlate

SuperSlate is a semi-automated slate mask utility with a full suite of features and overlay tools which make finish production easy.
The main font used is Coperplate.ttf - please insure that this is installed in your system to prevent layout problems.
Below is the list of features and functions:
--
SuperSlate Tab --------------------------
Show - enter your job name here

Shot - the auto feature will automatically fill in the nuke script name or you can enter it manually

Date -  the auto feature will automatically fill in the date and time or you can enter it manually

Cut length type -  there are three choices which automatically calculates the length in frames and seconds

- Manual - enter the length in the 'frames' field to the right of this pulldown

- Auto Script Length - auto calculates cut length based on the global start and end frames for the script

- Auto Input Length - auto calculates cut length based on the start and end of the clip fed into the slate gizmo

FrameRate - the auto feature will automatically fill in the global frame rate or you can enter it manually

Description - Space to enter a note

SlateType -  Film   - adds focus stars on the slate     - Video - adds colour bars and a preview of the first frame of the clip to the slate

Output format - defaults to root.format size  - or you can use this to reformat your clip to any specified format independent of the global root.formatFilter -Specified the resize image processing filter

Slate frame - Enter it manually or auto button will select it based on Cut length type choice and will chose global or local start frame
                      - Selecting AutoInput cut Length and Auto Slate frame will print slate on every frame up to the first frame of the input clip

Mask Overlay Tab  -------------------------
HardMask -  letterbox crops top and bottom of image based on Aspect Ratio

Aspect Ratio - Aspect ratio  - choose between various standard aspect ratios - 1.3161, 1.33, 1.66, 1.7777, 1.85, 2.35, 2.40

Safe Area - displays appropriate action/title safe for selected aspect ratio - can be inverted and has variable opacity (if using Cinemascope format (Pixel aspect ratio of 2) you will need to set AspectRatio to 2.35 to display properly)

Grid - Standard 16 field animation grid overlay - can be inverted and has variable opacity

Frame Counter - Three choices for a frame counter overlay: - None = off - Frames = frame count - Preset Timecode = Displays preset Timecode

Keep Overlays Outside Image Area - Repositions Overlay Text Displays onto Hard mask outside of image area.

Show - displays Show note onto overlay

Shot - displays Shot note onto overlay

Date - displays Date Note onto overlay

Time - displays current time onto Overlay

Description - displays Description note onto overlay

Reverse - Switches display positions between Top and Bottom
-
startcode - Set starting timecode for Preset Timecode overlay display

fps - Set timecode fps or automatically get from metadata

Start Frame -Set frame for preset timecode  value or automatically use global start frame
-
Watermark - Uses 'Watermark Text' or Custom Logo to watermark images with opacity and saturation control
Watermark Text - Enter text used for WaterMark Overlay and Copyright Notice on Slate
font - Set font for watermark Text
Size - Set size of Watermark

Logos Tab  ---------------------------

Logo Source - load an external picture file - Use following controls to generate your own logo for the slate and watermark,

Logo_File - Enter path to external logo picture file here. Optimal file size for logo = 1280x720 or 1920x1280 (16x9) - Automatically resized to fit - Additional size control for watermark

Logo Text - Enter your name or Company Name here to generate a Logo

Glow Outline -  choose between plain text or a glowing outline

Glow Size - Set size of glow

font - Set Logo font
Size - Set Logo Font Size
Kerning - Set Logo Font Kerning
leading - Set Logo Font Leading
Logo Colour -Set Logo Colour
------------------------------
Please Note - There may be instances when using formats with odd pixel aspect ratios (cinemascope) that the title safe will not be set correctly - simply adjust the AspectRatio pulldown in the MaskOverlay Tab so that it reflects the appropriate Aspect ratio. (2.35 for Cinemascope)
------------------------------
Installation Procedure:
Drag SuperSlate.gizmo and SuperSlateIcon.png to your ~/.nuke directory and add the following line(s) to your menu.py script file:

toolbar = nuke.menu('Nodes')    [ this line is optional since it may already be included in the menu.py file]
toolbar.addCommand('Image/SuperSlate', "nuke.createNode('SuperSlate')",icon ='SuperSlateIcon.png')

--
This will place the Superslate generator in the Image Menu along with it's corresponding icon.
------------------------------
Setting Defaults:
open SuperSlate and go to 'Node' tab
Click on Button labeled "Copy to Group"
Delete Superslate Gizmo, and Open up new node now labeled "Group 1 - SlateGen"
Customize Logo and turn on any features you want as a default
Go to Node Tab and Click on button labeled "Export as Gizmo"
Save over SuperSlate.gizmo in the ~/.nuke directory

restart Nuke, and you should be good to go.
------------------------------

SuperSlate by Rachel Dunn

Please send any comments or suggestions for improvement to me at [email protected]

(especially if there are any problems with Font substitution)

--------------------------------