Browse the wiki

CAVE Directory Builder

This tool will create directory structures for Projects, Assets and Shots.

Tool Overview

The idea of this tool is that it would allow you to create a project, asset and sequence/shot directory structure from the CAVE standard folder hierarchy.

This should be a web-based tool for ease of use for students and artists. This one tool would have three tabs allowing you to create local directories for a Project, asset or shot. Artists will then be able to save files locally in a consistent manner.

Please note, the master project on the CAVE server will have the complete directory structure for all assets, shots, etc. However, the aim of the tool will not be to create a directory structure for every asset and shot for the project in one hit, but just the bits you need. This will include all colour profiles and pipeline tools.

Where does the data come from to populate the tool?

We are looking to have the data that populates the tool be driven by Shotgun projects. For example, when a new asset or shot entity is created in Shotgun, this data is then automagically plugged into the tool. This will allow us to have one entry point to where we have to manage the data. Future development would involve having the same functionality in other production apps (such as FTrack).

PROJECT

The PROJECT tab is for creating the top-level folder structure. More info on this can be found here:

The PROJECT tab should have the following settings:

PROJECT TYPE

The PROJECT TYPE field would allow the user to select from a pre-defined list of project types that we have in production. For example:

  • VFX
  • TV EPISODIC
  • CG ANIMATION
  • CG ANIMATION EPISODIC
  • GAME

PROJECT

When you select a PROJECT TYPE, a number of pre-existing PROJECTS should then be made available. For example, we currently have the following two CG Animation projects in production: EOT, OWT.

SAVE LOCATION

This is the location that the project directory will be created in. We recommend:

  • D:\caveAcademy\project\

PREVIEW

This field will give you a clear indication of where the top-level folder will be created and what it will be called. This directory will contain the asset, sequence, IO, etc. folders.

ASSET

The ASSET tab will allow you to create the folder structure for a specific asset. More info on this can be found here:

The ASSET tab should have the following settings:

PROJECT

This will allow you to pick a PROJECT from an existing pre-defined list. For example: EOT, OWT. All the assets that follow will then be related to this option.

ASSET

As mentioned above, once you set a PROJECT, all options here will be related to that specific project.

Assets listed here will be broken down by category (character, vehicle, etc.). For example:

  • character/yuki
  • environment/japaneseShrine

PROJECT LOCATION

In order that the ASSET directory structure for the chosen asset is created in the right place locally on disk, the artist/student will need to point to the top-level Project directory.

PREVIEW

This field will give you a clear indication of where the asset folder will be created and what it will be called. This folder will contain the wip and published directory, and all the relevant asset department folders.

SHOT

The SHOT tab will allow you to create the folder structure for a specific shot. More info on this can be found here:

The SHOT tab should have the following settings:

PROJECT

This will allow you to pick a PROJECT from an existing pre-defined list. For example: EOT, OWT. All the shots that follow will then be related to this option.

SHOT

As mentioned above, once you set a PROJECT, all options here will be related to that specific project.

Shots listed here will be broken down by sequence. For example:

  • nsb/nsb010
  • int/int020

PROJECT LOCATION

In order that the SHOT directory structure for the chosen shot is created in the right place locally on disk, the artist/student will need to point to the top-level Project directory.

PREVIEW

This field will give you a clear indication of where the shot folder will be created and what it will be called. This folder will contain the wip and published directory, and all the relevant shot department folders.

Support CAVE Academy

Here at CAVE Academy the beauty of giving and sharing is very close to our hearts. With that spirit, we gladly provide Masterclasses, Dailies, the Wiki, and many high-quality assets free of charge. To enable the team to create and release more free content, you can support us here: Support CAVE Academy

Leave a Comment