[#14405] New python Script - Bake Constraints

AGAIN PLEAST USE TABS, lost quite some time with mixed tab/space adjustments alone.
Other then that, patch is very useful ;)

---Text from patch submission --- 
Using a slightly revised BPy_Armature, this script takes any non-armature object type and creates an Action that keys
the object location (by default, for every frame). If it is an Armature, it goes into each bone and keys the locrot
of the bone. You can now edit the armature, but the motions still rotate the bones. This enables the next step, re-targeting,
which changes bone lengths to fit a mesh. High-level, we are working toward:

1. import mocap (bvh or c3d)
2. bake to make an action library (using this script)
3. re-target and use the actions to drive/deform any character mesh (theeth)

2 files changed, 845 insertions, 30 deletions

diff --git a/release/scripts/animation_bake_constraints.py b/release/scripts/animation_bake_constraints.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..130e93d8591
--- /dev/null
+++ b/release/scripts/animation_bake_constraints.py
@@ -0,0 +1,800 @@
+#!BPY
+
+"""
+Name: 'Bake Constraints'
+Blender: 246
+Group: 'Animation'
+Tooltip: 'Bake a Constrained object/rig to IPOs'
+Fillename: 'Bake_Constraint.py'
+"""
+
+__author__ = "Roger Wickes (rogerwickes(at)yahoo.com)"
+__script__ = "Bake Constraints"
+__version__ = "0.6"
+__url__ = ["Communicate problems and errors, http://www.blenderartists.com/forum/private.php?do=newpm to PapaSmurf"]
+__email__= ["Roger Wickes, rogerwickes@yahoo.com", "scripts"]
+__bpydoc__ = """\
+
+bake_constraints
+
+This script bakes the real-world LocRot of an object (the net effect of any constraints - 
+(Copy, Limit, Track, Follow, - that affect Location, Rotation)
+(usually one constrained to match another's location and/or Tracked to another)
+and creates a clone with a set of Ipo Curves named Ipo<objname>
+These curves control a non-constrained object and thus make it mimic the constrained object
+Actions can be then be edited without the need for the drivers/constraining objects
+
+Developed for use with MoCap data, where a bone is constrained to point at an empty
+moving through space and time. This records the actual locrot of the armature
+so that the motion can be edited, reoriented, scaled, and used as NLA Actions
+
+see also wiki Scripts/Manual/ Sandbox/Animation/Bake_Constraints (tbd)
+
+Usage:<br>
+ - Select the reference Object(s) you want to bake <br>
+ - Set the frame range to bake in the Anim Panel <br>
+ - Set the test code (if you want a self-test) in the RT field in the Anim Panel <br>
+		-- Set RT:1 in the Anim panel to create a test armature <br>
+<br>
+ - Run the script    <br>
+ - The clone copy of the object is created and it has an IPO curve assigned to it. 
+ - The clone shadows the object by an offset locrot (see usrDelta)
+ - That Ipo has Location and Rotation curves that make the shadow mimic the movement of the selected object, 
+		 but without using constraints. Bones move identically in relation to the armature as the reference object
+
+	
+Version History:
+		0.1: bakes Loc Rot for a constrained object
+		0.2: bakes Loc and Rot for the bones within Armature object
+		0.3: UI for setting options
+		0.3.1 add manual to script library
+		0.4: bake multiple objects
+		0.5: root bone worldspace rotation
+		0.6: re-integration with BPyArmature
+		
+License, Copyright, and Attribution:
+	by Roger WICKES  May 2008, released under Blender Artistic Licence to Public Domain
+		feel free to add to any Blender Python Scripts Bundle.
+ Thanks to Jean-Baptiste PERIN, IdeasMan42 (Campbell Barton?), Basil_Fawlty/Cage_drei (Andrew Cruse)
+ much lifted/learned from blender.org/documentation/245PytonDoc and wiki
+ some modules based on c3D_Import.py, PoseLib16.py and IPO/Armature code examples e.g. camera jitter
+
+Pseudocode (planned versions):
+	Initialize
+	If at least one object is selected
+		For each selected object,
+			create a shadow object
+			remove any constraints on the clone
+			create or reset an ipo curve named like the object
+			for each frame
+				 set the clone's locrot key based on the reference object
+			if it's an armature,
+					create an action (which is an Ipo for each bone)
+					for each frame of the animation
+						for each bone in the armature
+							set the key
+	Else you're a smurf
+
+Test Conditions and Regressions:
+	1. (v0.1) Non-armatures (the cube), with ipo curve and constraints at the object level
+	2. armatures, with ipo curve and constraints at the object level
+	3. armatures, with bones that have ipo curves and constraints
+	
+Naming conventions:
+	arm = a specific objec type armature
+	bone = bones that make up the skeleton of an armature
+
+	ob = object, an instance of an object type
+	ebone = edit bone, a bone in edit mode
+	pbone = pose bone, a posed bone in an object
+	tst = testing, self-test routines
+	usr = user-entered or designated stuff  
+
+Pattern Notes (let me know if I've violated any):
+	Bergin Starting,Designing, Programming, Coding
+	Bergin 23 Indent for Structure - I don't like only 2, but the editor is set up that way
+	Bergin 26 Be Spacey Not Tabby - personal frustraion here. workaround is to Format->convert to whitespace
+	Bergin 27 Consistent Capitalization - except Blender, because I love it.
+	Bergin 28 Name Your Constants - not for those I plan on making variable
+	Python 01 Return Everything - I made this one up, all functions and methods end in return
+		even though it is decoration in Python, it helps Python throw an indentation error for typing mistakes
+	Wickes 01 Decorate Your Code - for visual appeal and to ease maintenance, include separators like ######### 
+		to visually distinquish and separate functions, making it quicker to scan through code for methods
+	Wickes 02 Whitespace helps readability - include blanks around = # and lines (after def, after return) to make it stand out and pretty
+
+"""
+########################################
+
+import Blender
+from   Blender import *
+from   Blender.Mathutils import *
+import struct
+import string
+import bpy
+import BPyMessages
+import BPyArmature
+# reload(BPyArmature)
+from   BPyArmature import getBakedPoseData
+
+Vector= Blender.Mathutils.Vector
+Euler= Blender.Mathutils.Euler
+Matrix= Blender.Mathutils.Matrix #invert() function at least
+RotationMatrix = Blender.Mathutils.RotationMatrix
+TranslationMatrix= Blender.Mathutils.TranslationMatrix
+Quaternion = Blender.Mathutils.Quaternion
+Vector = Blender.Mathutils.Vector
+POSE_XFORM= [Blender.Object.Pose.LOC, Blender.Object.Pose.ROT]
+
+#=================
+# Global Variables
+#=================
+
+# set senstitivity for displaying debug/console messages. 0=none, 100=max
+# then call debug(num,string) to conditionally display status/info in console window
+MODE=Blender.Get('rt')  #execution mode: 0=run normal, x=self-test (test error trapping etc)
+DEBUG=100   #how much detail on internal processing for big brother to see
+BATCH=False #called from command line? is someone there? Would you like some cake?
+
+#there are two coordinate systems, the real, or absolute 3D space,
+# and the local relative to a parent.
+COORDINATE_SYSTEMS = ['local','real']
+COORD_LOCAL = 0
+COORD_REAL = 1
+
+# User Settings - Change these options manually or via GUI (future TODO)
+usrCoord = COORD_REAL # what the user wants
+usrParent = False # True=keep parent (if exists), False = breakaway (usually with Real)
+usrFreeze = 2 #2=yes, 0=no. Freezes shadow object in place at current frame as origin
+	#TODO - i wonder if usrFreeze means we should set Delta to the the difference between the original object and parent?
+# delta is amount to offset/change from the reference object. future set in a ui, so technically not a constant
+usrDelta = [10,10,0,0,0,0] #order specific - Loc xyz Rot xyz
+usrACTION = True # Offset baked Action frames to start at frame 1
+usrBAKEobjIPO = False # bake the object Ipo? it is useless for MoCap, as we only want the Action, and the Object does not move
+
+CURFRAME = 'curframe' #keyword to use when getting the frame number that the scene is presently on
+ARMATURE = 'Armature' #en anglais
+BONE_SPACES = ['ARMATURESPACE','BONESPACE']
+		# 'ARMATURESPACE' - this matrix of the bone in relation to the armature
+		# 'BONESPACE' - the matrix of the bone in relation to itself
+
+#Ipo curves created are prefixed with a name, like Ipo_ or Bake_ followed by the object/bone name
+#bakedArmName = "b." #used for both the armature class and object instance
+#ipoObjectNamePrefix= ""
+#ipoBoneNamePrefix  = ""
+# for example, if on entry an armature named Man was selected, and the object prefix was "a."
+#  on exit an armature and an IPO curve named a.Man exists for the object as a whole
+# if that armature had bones (spine, neck, arm) and the bone prefix was "a."
+#  the bones and IPO curves will be (a.spine, a.neck, a.arm)
+
+R2D = 18/3.1415  # radian to grad
+BLENDER_VERSION = Blender.Get('version')
+
+# Gets the current scene, there can be many scenes in 1 blend file. 
+scn = Blender.Scene.GetCurrent()
+
+#=================
+# Methods
+#=================
+########################################
+def debug(num,msg): #use log4j or just console here.
+	
+	if DEBUG >= num:
+		if BATCH == False:
+			print 'debug:             '[:num/10+7]+msg
+		#TODO: else write out to file (runs faster if it doesnt have to display details)
+	return
+
+########################################
+def error(str):
+	debug(0,'ERROR: '+str)
+	if BATCH == False:
+		Draw.PupMenu('ERROR%t|'+str)
+	return
+
+########################################
+def getRenderInfo():
+	context=scn.getRenderingContext() 
+	staframe = context.startFrame()
+	endframe = context.endFrame()
+	if endframe<staframe: endframe=staframe
+	curframe = Blender.Get(CURFRAME)
+	debug(90,'Scene is on frame %i and frame range is %i to %i' % (curframe,staframe,endframe))
+	return (staframe,endframe,curframe)
+
+########################################
+def sortBones(xbones): #returns a sorted list of bones that should be added,sorted based on parent dependency
+	print ('My suggestion would be:')
+#  while there are bones to add,
+#    look thru the list of bones we need to add
+#      if we have not already added this bone
+#         if it does not have a parent
+#           add it
+#          else, it has a parent
+#           if we already added it's parent
+#               add it now.
+#           else #we need to keep cycling and catch its parent
+#         else it is a root bone
+#           add it
+#       else skip it, it's prego
+#     endfor
+#  endwhile
+	xboneNames=[]
+	for xbone in xbones: xboneNames.append(xbone.name)
+	debug (80,'reference bone order: \n%s' % xboneNames)
+	eboneNames=[]
+	while len(eboneNames) < len(xboneNames):
+		for xbone in xbones:
+			if not xbone.name in eboneNames:
+				if not xbone.parent:
+					eboneNames.append(xbone.name)
+				else:
+					if xbone.parent.name in eboneNames:
+						eboneNames.append(xbone.name)
+					#else skip it
+				#endif
+			#else prego
+		#endfor
+	#endwhile
+	debug (80,'clone bone order: \n%s' % eboneNames)
+	return eboneNames
+
+########################################
+def dupliArmature(ob): #makes a copy in current scn of the armature used by ob and its bones
+	
+	ob_mat = ob.matrixWorld
+	ob_data = ob.getData()
+	debug(49,'Reference object uses %s' % ob_data)
+	arm_ob = Armature.Get(ob_data.name) #the armature used by the passed object
+	
+	arm = Blender.Armature.New()
+	debug(20,'Cloning Armature %s to create %s' % (arm_ob.name, arm.name))
+	arm.drawType = Armature.STICK #set the draw type
+
+	arm.makeEditable() #enter editmode
+
+	# for each bone in the object's armature,
+	xbones=ob.data.bones.values()
+	usrSpace = 0 #0=armature, 1=local
+	space=[BONE_SPACES[usrSpace]][0] 
+
+	#we have to make a list of bones, then figure out our parents, then add to the arm
+	#when creating a child, we cannot link to a parent if it does not yet exist in our armature 
+	ebones = [] #list of the bones I want to create for my arm
+
+	if BLENDER_VERSION > 245: debug(0,'WARNING: Programmer check for Bone updates in dupliArmature')
+
+	eboneNames = sortBones(xbones)
+
+	i=0
+	# error('bones sorted. continue?')
+	for abone in eboneNames: #set all editable attributes to fully define the bone.
+		for bone in xbones: 
+			if bone.name == abone: break  # get the reference bone
+		ebone = Armature.Editbone() #throw me a bone, bone-man!
+		ebones.append(ebone) #you're on my list, buddy
+
+		ebone.name = bone.name
+		ebone.headRadius = bone.headRadius
+		ebone.tailRadius = bone.tailRadius
+		ebone.weight = bone.weight
+		ebone.options = bone.options
+		
+		ebone.head = bone.head[space] #dictionary lookups
+		ebone.tail = bone.tail[space]
+		ebone.matrix = bone.matrix[space]
+		ebone.roll = bone.roll[space]
+
+		debug(30,'Generating new %s as child of %s' % (bone,bone.parent))
+		if bone.hasParent(): 
+#      parent=bone.parent.name
+#      debug(100,'looking for %s' % parent)
+#      for parbone in xbones: if parbone.name == parent: break # get the parent bone
+#      ebone.parent = arm.bones[ebones[j].name]
+			ebone.parent = arm.bones[bone.parent.name]
+#    else:
+#       ebone.parent = None
+		debug(30,'Generating new editbone %s as child of %s' % (ebone,ebone.parent))
+		arm.bones[ebone.name] = ebone # i would have expected an append or add function, but this works
+
+	debug (100,'arm.bones: \n%s' % arm.bones)
+	debug (20,'Cloned %i bones now in armature %s' %(len(arm.bones),arm.name)) 
+
+	myob = scn.objects.new(arm) #interestingly, object must be created before 
+	arm.update()                #armature can be saved
+	debug(40,'dupArm finished %s instanced as object %s' % (arm.name,myob.getName()))
+	print ob.matrix
+	print myob.matrix
+	
+	return myob
+
+def scrub(): # scrubs to startframe
+	staFrame,endFrame,curFrame = getRenderInfo()
+
+	# eye-candy, go from current to start, fwd or back
+	if not BATCH:
+		print "Positioning to start..."
+		frameinc=(staFrame-curFrame)/10
+		if abs(frameinc) >= 1:
+			for i in range(10):
+				curFrame+=frameinc
+				Blender.Set(CURFRAME,curFrame) # computes the constrained location of the 'real' objects
+				Blender.Redraw()
+	Blender.Set(CURFRAME, staFrame)
+
+########################################
+def bakeBones(ref_ob,arm_ob): #copy pose from ref_ob to arm_ob
+	scrub()
+	staFrame,endFrame,curFrame = getRenderInfo()
+	act = getBakedPoseData(ref_ob, staFrame, endFrame, ACTION_BAKE = True, ACTION_BAKE_FIRST_FRAME = usrACTION) # bake the pose positions of the reference ob to the armature ob
+	arm_ob.action = act
+	scrub()  
+	
+	# user comprehension feature - change action name and channel ipo names to match the names of the bone they drive
+	debug (80,'Renaming each action ipo to match the bone they pose')
+	act.name = arm_ob.name
+	arm_channels = act.getAllChannelIpos()
+	pose= arm_ob.getPose()
+	pbones= pose.bones.values() #we want the bones themselves, not the dictionary lookup
+	print arm_channels.keys()
+	for pbone in pbones:
+		debug (100,'Channel listing for %s: %s' % (pbone.name,arm_channels[pbone.name] ))
+		ipo=arm_channels[pbone.name]
+		ipo.name = pbone.name # since bone names are unique within an armature, the pose names can be the same since they are within an Action
+
+	return
+
+########################################
+def getOrCreateCurve(ipo, curvename): 
+	
+	"""
+	Retrieve or create a Blender Ipo Curve named C{curvename} in the C{ipo} Ipo
+	Either an ipo curve named C{curvename} exists before the call then this curve is returned,
+	Or such a curve doesn't exist before the call .. then it is created into the c{ipo} Ipo and returned 
+	"""
+	try:
+		mycurve = ipo.getCurve(curvename)
+		if mycurve != None:
+			pass
+		else:
+			mycurve = ipo.addCurve(curvename)
+	except:
+		mycurve = ipo.addCurve(curvename)
+	return mycurve
+
+########################################
+def eraseCurve(ipo,numCurves):	
+	debug(80,'Erasing %i curves for %' % (numCurves,ipo.GetName()))
+	for i in range(numCurves):
+		nbBezPoints = ipo.getNBezPoints(i)
+		for j in range(nbBezPoints):
+			ipo.delBezPoint(i)
+	return
+
+########################################
+def resetIPO(ipo):
+	ipoName=ipoObjectNamePrefix + obName
+	debug(40,'Resetting ipo curve named %s' %ipoName)
+	numCurves = ipo.getNcurves() #like LocX, LocY, etc
+	if numCurves > 0:
+		eraseCurve(ipo, numCurves) #erase data if one exists
+	return
+
+########################################
+def resetIPOs(ob): #resets all IPO curvess assocated with an object and its bones
+	debug(30,'Resetting any ipo curves linked to %s' %ob.getName())
+	ipo = ob.getIpo() #may be None
+	ipoName = ipo.getName() #name of the IPO that guides/controls this object
+	debug(70,'Object IPO is %s' %ipoName)
+	try:
+		ipo = Ipo.Get(ipoName)
+	except:
+		ipo = Ipo.New('Object', ipoName)
+	resetIPO(ipo)
+	if ob.getType() == ARMATURE:
+		arm_data=ob.getData()
+		bones=arm_data.bones.values()
+		for bone in bones:
+			#for each bone: get the name and check for a Pose IPO
+			debug(10,'Processing '+ bone.name)
+	return
+
+########################################
+def parse(string,delim):	
+	index = string.find(delim) # -1 if not found, else pointer to delim
+	if index+1:  return string[:index]
+	return string
+		
+########################################
+def newIpo(ipoName): #add a new Ipo object to the Blender scene
+	ipo=Blender.Ipo.New('Object',ipoName)
+
+	ipo.addCurve('LocX')
+	ipo.addCurve('LocY')
+	ipo.addCurve('LocZ')
+	ipo.addCurve('RotX')
+	ipo.addCurve('RotY')
+	ipo.addCurve('RotZ')
+	return ipo
+
+########################################
+def makeUpaName(type,name): #i know this exists in Blender somewhere...
+	debug(90,'Making up a new %s name using %s as a basis.' % (type,name))
+	name = (parse(name,'.'))
+	if type == 'Ipo':
+		ipoName = name # maybe we get lucky today
+		ext = 0
+		extlen = 3 # 3 digit extensions, like hello.002
+		success = False
+		while not(success):
+			try:
+				debug(100,'Trying %s' % ipoName)
+				ipo = Ipo.Get(ipoName)
+				#that one exists if we get here. add on extension and keep trying
+				ext +=1
+				if ext>=10**extlen: extlen +=1 # go to more digits if 999 not found
+				ipoName = '%s.%s' % (name, str(ext).zfill(extlen))
+			except: # could not find it
+				success = True
+		name=ipoName 
+	else:
+		debug (0,'FATAL ERROR: I dont know how to make up a new %s name based on %s' % (type,ob))
+		return 
+	return name
+
+########################################
+def createIpo(ob): #create an Ipo and curves and link them to this object	
+	#first, we have to create a unique name
+	#try first with just the name of the object to keep things simple.
+	ipoName = makeUpaName('Ipo',ob.getName()) # make up a name for a new Ipo based on the object name
+
+	debug(20,'Ipo and LocRot curves called %s' % ipoName)
+
+	ipo=newIpo(ipoName)
+
+	ob.setIpo(ipo) #link them
+	return ipo
+
+########################################
+def getLocLocal(ob):
+	key = [
+			ob.LocX, 
+			ob.LocY, 
+			ob.LocZ,
+			ob.RotX*R2D, #get the curves in this order
+			ob.RotY*R2D, 
+			ob.RotZ*R2D
+			]
+	return key
+				
+########################################
+def getLocReal(ob):
+	obMatrix = ob.matrixWorld #Thank you IdeasMan42
+	loc = obMatrix.translationPart()
+	rot = obMatrix.toEuler()
+	key = [
+			loc.x,
+			loc.y,
+			loc.z,
+			rot.x/10,
+			rot.y/10,
+			rot.z/10
+			]
+	return key
+
+########################################
+def getLocRot(ob,space):
+	if space in xrange(len(COORDINATE_SYSTEMS)):
+		if space == COORD_LOCAL:
+			key = getLocLocal(ob)
+			return key
+		elif space == COORD_REAL:
+			key = getLocReal(ob)
+			return key
+		else: #hey, programmers make mistakes too.
+			debug(0,'Fatal Error: getLoc called with %i' % space)
+	return
+
+########################################
+def getCurves(ipo):
+	ipos = [
+			ipo[Ipo.OB_LOCX],
+			ipo[Ipo.OB_LOCY],
+			ipo[Ipo.OB_LOCZ],
+			ipo[Ipo.OB_ROTX], #get the curves in this order
+			ipo[Ipo.OB_ROTY],
+			ipo[Ipo.OB_ROTZ]
+			]
+	return ipos
+					
+########################################
+def addPoint(time,keyLocRot,ipos):
+	if BLENDER_VERSION < 245:
+		debug(0,'WARNING: addPoint uses BezTriple')
+	for i in range(len(ipos)):
+		point = BezTriple.New() #this was new with Blender 2.45 API
+		point.pt = (time, keyLocRot[i])
+		point.handleTypes = [1,1]
+
+		ipos[i].append(point)
+	return ipos
+
+########################################
+def bakeFrames(ob,myipo): #bakes an object in a scene, returning the IPO containing the curves
+	myipoName = myipo.getName()
+	debug(20,'Baking frames for scene %s object %s to ipo %s' % (scn.getName(),ob.getName(),myipoName))
+	ipos = getCurves(myipo)
+	#TODO: Gui setup idea: myOffset
+	# reset action to start at frame 1 or at location
+	myOffset=0 #=1-staframe
+	#loop through frames in the animation. Often, there is rollup and the mocap starts late
+	staframe,endframe,curframe = getRenderInfo()
+	for frame in range(staframe, endframe+1):
+		debug(80,'Baking Frame %i' % frame)
+		#tell Blender to advace to frame
+		Blender.Set(CURFRAME,frame) # computes the constrained location of the 'real' objects
+		if not BATCH: Blender.Redraw() # no secrets, let user see what we are doing
+			
+		#using the constrained Loc Rot of the object, set the location of the unconstrained clone. Yea! Clones are FreeMen
+		key = getLocRot(ob,usrCoord) #a key is a set of specifed exact channel values (LocRotScale) for a certain frame
+		key = [a+b for a,b in zip(key, usrDelta)] #offset to the new location
+
+		myframe= frame+myOffset
+		Blender.Set(CURFRAME,myframe)
+		
+		time = Blender.Get('curtime') #for BezTriple
+		ipos = addPoint(time,key,ipos) #add this data at this time to the ipos
+		debug(100,'%s %i %.3f %.2f %.2f %.2f %.2f %.2f %.2f' % (myipoName, myframe, time, key[0], key[1], key[2], key[3], key[4], key[5]))
+	# eye-candy - smoothly rewind the animation, showing now how the clone match moves
+	if endframe-staframe <400 and not BATCH:
+		for frame in range (endframe,staframe,-1): #rewind
+			Blender.Set(CURFRAME,frame) # computes the constrained location of the 'real' objects
+			Blender.Redraw()
+	Blender.Set(CURFRAME,staframe)
+	Blender.Redraw()
+
+	return ipos
+
+########################################
+def duplicateLinked(ob):
+	obType = ob.type
+	debug(10,'Duplicating %s Object named %s' % (obType,ob.getName()))
+	scn.objects.selected = [ob]
+##      rdw: simplified by just duplicating armature. kept code as reference for creating armatures
+##        disadvantage is that you cant have clone as stick and original as octahedron
+##        since they share the same Armature. User can click Make Single User button.      
+##      if obType == ARMATURE: #build a copy from scratch
+##        myob= dupliArmature(ob)
+##      else:
+	Blender.Object.Duplicate() # Duplicate linked, including pose constraints.
+	myobs = Object.GetSelected() #duplicate is top on the list
+	myob = myobs[0]
+	if usrParent == False:
+		myob.clrParent(usrFreeze)     
+	debug(20,'=myob= was created as %s' % myob.getName())
+	return myob
+
+########################################
+def removeConstraints(ob):
+	for const in ob.constraints:
+		debug(90,'removed %s => %s' % (ob.name, const))
+		ob.constraints.remove(const)
+	return
+		
+########################################
+def removeConstraintsOb(ob): # from object or armature
+	debug(40,'Removing constraints from '+ob.getName())
+	if BLENDER_VERSION > 241: #constraints module not available before 242
+		removeConstraints(ob)
+		if ob.getType() == ARMATURE:
+			pose = ob.getPose()
+			for pbone in pose.bones.values():
+				#bone = pose.bones[bonename]
+				removeConstraints(pbone)
+		#should also check if it is a deflector?
+	return
+
+########################################
+def deLinkOb(type,ob): #remove linkages
+	if type == 'Ipo':
+		success = ob.clearIpo() #true=there was one
+		if success: debug(80,'deLinked Ipo curve to %s' % ob.getName())
+	return
+
+########################################
+def bakeObject(ob): #bakes the core object locrot and assigns the Ipo to a Clone
+	if ob != None:  
+		# Clone the object - duplicate it, clean the clone, and create an ipo curve for the clone
+		myob = duplicateLinked(ob)  #clone it
+		removeConstraintsOb(myob)   #my object is a free man
+		deLinkOb('Ipo',myob)        #kids, it's not nice to share. you've been lied to
+		if usrBAKEobjIPO:
+			myipo = createIpo(myob)     #create own IPO and curves for the clone object
+			ipos = bakeFrames(ob,myipo) #bake the locrot for this obj for the scene frames
+
+#  staframe,endframe,curframe = getRenderInfo()
+#  frame = staframe
+#  Blender.Set(CURFRAME,frame) # computes the constrained location of the 'real' objects
+#  frame +=1
+#  Blender.Set(CURFRAME,frame) # computes the constrained location of the 'real' objects
+#  frame -=1
+#  Blender.Set(CURFRAME,frame) # computes the constrained location of the 'real' objects
+#  if not BATCH: Blender.Redraw()
+#
+	return myob
+		
+########################################
+def bake(ob): #bakes an object of any type
+	
+	debug(30,'Baking %s object %s' % (ob.getType(), ob))
+
+	myob = bakeObject(ob) #creates and bakes the object motion
+
+	if ob.getType() == ARMATURE:
+#      error('Object baked. Continue with bones?')
+			bakeBones(ob,myob) #go into the bones and copy from -> to in frame range
+	#future idea: bakeMesh (net result of Shapekeys, Softbody, Cloth, Fluidsim,...)
+				
+	return
+		
+########################################
+def tstCreateArm(): #create a test armature in scene
+	# rip-off from http://www.blender.org/documentation/245PythonDoc/Pose-module.html - thank you!
+
+	debug(0,'Making Test Armature')
+	# New Armature
+	arm_data= Armature.New('myArmature')
+	print arm_data
+	arm_ob = scn.objects.new(arm_data)
+	arm_data.makeEditable()
+
+	# Add 4 bones
+	ebones = [Armature.Editbone(), Armature.Editbone(), Armature.Editbone(), Armature.Editbone()]
+
+	# Name the editbones
+	ebones[0].name = 'Bone.001'
+	ebones[1].name = 'Bone.002'
+	ebones[2].name = 'Bone.003'
+	ebones[3].name = 'Bone.004'
+
+	# Assign the editbones to the armature
+	for eb in ebones:
+		arm_data.bones[eb.name]= eb
+
+	# Set the locations of the bones
+	ebones[0].head= Mathutils.Vector(0,0,0)
+	ebones[0].tail= Mathutils.Vector(0,0,1) #tip
+	ebones[1].head= Mathutils.Vector(0,0,1)
+	ebones[1].tail= Mathutils.Vector(0,0,2)
+	ebones[2].head= Mathutils.Vector(0,0,2)
+	ebones[2].tail= Mathutils.Vector(0,0,3)
+	ebones[3].head= Mathutils.Vector(0,0,3)
+	ebones[3].tail= Mathutils.Vector(0,0,4)
+
+	ebones[1].parent= ebones[0]
+	ebones[2].parent= ebones[1]
+	ebones[3].parent= ebones[2]
+
+	arm_data.update()
+	# Done with editing the armature
+
+	# Assign the pose animation
+	arm_pose = arm_ob.getPose()
+
+	act = arm_ob.getAction()
+	if not act: # Add a pose action if we dont have one
+		act = Armature.NLA.NewAction()
+		act.setActive(arm_ob)
+
+	xbones=arm_ob.data.bones.values()
+	pbones = arm_pose.bones.values()
+
+	frame = 1
+	for pbone in pbones: # set bones to no rotation
+					pbone.quat[:] = 1.000,0.000,0.000,0.0000
+					pbone.insertKey(arm_ob, frame, Object.Pose.ROT)
+
+	# Set a different rotation at frame 25
+	pbones[0].quat[:] = 1.000,0.1000,0.2000,0.20000
+	pbones[1].quat[:] = 1.000,0.6000,0.5000,0.40000
+	pbones[2].quat[:] = 1.000,0.1000,0.3000,0.40000
+	pbones[3].quat[:] = 1.000,-0.2000,-0.3000,0.30000
+
+	frame = 25
+	for i in xrange(4):
+		pbones[i].insertKey(arm_ob, frame, Object.Pose.ROT)
+
+	pbones[0].quat[:] = 1.000,0.000,0.000,0.0000
+	pbones[1].quat[:] = 1.000,0.000,0.000,0.0000
+	pbones[2].quat[:] = 1.000,0.000,0.000,0.0000
+	pbones[3].quat[:] = 1.000,0.000,0.000,0.0000
+
+	frame = 50      
+	for pbone in pbones: # set bones to no rotation
+		pbone.quat[:] = 1.000,0.000,0.000,0.0000
+		pbone.insertKey(arm_ob, frame, Object.Pose.ROT)
+
+	return arm_ob
+
+########################################
+def tstMoveOb(ob): # makes a simple LocRot animation of object in the scene
+	anim = [
+		#Loc      Rot/10
+		#
+		( 0,0,0, 0, 0, 0), #frame 1 origin
+		( 1,0,0, 0, 0, 0), #frame 2
+		( 1,1,0, 0, 0, 0),
+		( 1,1,1, 0, 0, 0),
+		( 1,1,1,4.5,  0,  0),
+		( 1,1,1,4.5,4.5,  0),
+		( 1,1,1,4.5,4.5,4.5)
+		]
+	space = COORD_LOCAL
+	ipo = createIpo(ob) #create an Ipo and curves for this object
+	ipos = getCurves(ipo)
+	
+	# span this motion over the currently set anim range
+	# to set points, i need time but do not know how it is computed, so will have to advance the animation
+	staframe,endframe,curframe = getRenderInfo()
+
+	frame = staframe #x position of new ipo datapoint. set to staframe if you want a match
+	frameDelta=(endframe-staframe)/(len(anim)) #accomplish the animation in frame range
+	for key in anim: #effectively does a getLocRot()
+		#tell Blender to advace to frame
+		Blender.Set('curframe',frame) # computes the constrained location of the 'real' objects
+		time = Blender.Get('curtime')
+
+		ipos = addPoint(time,key,ipos) #add this data at this time to the ipos
+
+		debug(100,'%s %i %.3f %.2f %.2f %.2f %.2f %.2f %.2f' % (ipo.name, frame, time, key[0], key[1], key[2], key[3], key[4], key[5]))
+		frame += frameDelta
+	Blender.Set('curframe',curframe) # reset back to where we started
+	return
+#=================
+# Program Template
+#=================
+########################################
+def main():
+	# return code set via rt button in Blender Buttons Scene Context Anim panel
+	
+	if MODE == 1: #create test armature #1
+		ob = tstCreateArm()      # make test arm and select it
+		tstMoveOb(ob)
+		scn.objects.selected = [ob]
+
+	obs = Blender.Object.GetSelected() #scn.objects.selected
+	debug(20,'Baking %i objects' % len(obs))
+
+	if len(obs) >= 1:   # user might have multiple objects selected
+		for ob in obs:
+			bake(ob)
+	else:
+		error('Please select at least one object')
+	return
+
+########################################
+def benchmark(): # This lets you benchmark (time) the script's running duration 
+	
+	Window.WaitCursor(1) 
+	t = sys.time() 
+	debug(60,'%s began at %.0f' %(__script__,sys.time()))
+
+	# Run the function on the active scene
+	in_editmode = Window.EditMode()
+	if in_editmode: Window.EditMode(0)
+
+	main() 
+
+	if in_editmode: Window.EditMode(1)
+	
+	# Timing the script is a good way to be aware on any speed hits when scripting 
+	debug(60,'%s Script finished in %.2f seconds' % (__script__,sys.time()-t) )
+	Window.WaitCursor(0) 
+	return
+
+########################################
+# This lets you can import the script without running it 
+if __name__ == '__main__': 
+	debug(0, "------------------------------------")
+	debug(0, '%s %s Script begins with mode=%i debug=%i batch=%s version=%i' % (__script__,__version__,MODE,DEBUG,BATCH,BLENDER_VERSION))
+
+	benchmark()
diff --git a/release/scripts/bpymodules/BPyArmature.py b/release/scripts/bpymodules/BPyArmature.py
index d0b41dc35c5..63df02d080c 100644
--- a/release/scripts/bpymodules/BPyArmature.py
+++ b/release/scripts/bpymodules/BPyArmature.py
@@ -11,13 +11,19 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
+# Version History:
+#   1.0 original release bakes an armature into a matrix
+#   1.1 optional params (ACTION_BAKE, ACTION_BAKE_FIRST_FRAME, direct function to key and return the Action
 
 import Blender
+from Blender import sys
 import bpy
-def getBakedPoseData(ob_arm, start_frame, end_frame):
+def getBakedPoseData(ob_arm, start_frame, end_frame, ACTION_BAKE = False, ACTION_BAKE_FIRST_FRAME = True):
 	'''
 	If you are currently getting IPO's this function can be used to
-	return a list of frame aligned bone dictionary's
+	ACTION_BAKE==False: return a list of frame aligned bone dictionary's
+	ACTION_BAKE==True: return an action with keys aligned to bone constrained movement
+	if ACTION_BAKE_FIRST_FRAME is not supplied or is true: keys begin at frame 1
 	
 	The data in these can be swaped in for the IPO loc and quat
 	
@@ -77,7 +83,13 @@ def getBakedPoseData(ob_arm, start_frame, end_frame):
 	
 	# --------------------------------- Main loop to collect IPO data
 	frame_index = 0
+	NvideoFrames= end_frame-start_frame
 	for current_frame in xrange(start_frame, end_frame+1):
+		if   frame_index==0: start=sys.time()
+		elif frame_index==15: print NvideoFrames*(sys.time()-start),"seconds estimated..." #slows as it grows *3
+		elif frame_index >15:
+			percom= frame_index*100/NvideoFrames
+			print "Frame %i Overall %i percent complete\r" % (current_frame, percom),
 		ob_arm.action = backup_action
 		#pose.update() # not needed
 		Blender.Set('curframe', current_frame)
@@ -88,9 +100,7 @@ def getBakedPoseData(ob_arm, start_frame, end_frame):
 		
 		for index, parent_index, bone_name, rest_bone, rest_matrix, rest_matrix_inv, pose_bone, ipo in armature_bone_data:
 			matrix= pose_bone.poseMatrix
-			
 			parent_bone= rest_bone.parent
-			
 			if parent_index != -1:
 				parent_pose_matrix =		armature_bone_data[parent_index][6].poseMatrix
 				parent_bone_matrix_inv =	armature_bone_data[parent_index][5]
@@ -98,40 +108,45 @@ def getBakedPoseData(ob_arm, start_frame, end_frame):
 				rest_matrix=				rest_matrix * parent_bone_matrix_inv
 			
 			matrix=matrix * rest_matrix.copy().invert()
-			
 			pose_bone.quat=	matrix.toQuat()
 			pose_bone.loc=	matrix.translationPart()
-			pose_bone.insertKey(ob_arm, 1, POSE_XFORM) # always frame 1
-			
-			# THIS IS A BAD HACK! IT SUCKS BIGTIME BUT THE RESULT ARE NICE
-			# - use a temp action and bake into that, always at the same frame
-			#   so as not to make big IPO's, then collect the result from the IPOs
+			if ACTION_BAKE==False:
+				pose_bone.insertKey(ob_arm, 1, POSE_XFORM) # always frame 1
+	 
+				# THIS IS A BAD HACK! IT SUCKS BIGTIME BUT THE RESULT ARE NICE
+				# - use a temp action and bake into that, always at the same frame
+				#   so as not to make big IPO's, then collect the result from the IPOs
 			
-			# Now get the data from the IPOs
-			if not ipo:	ipo = armature_bone_data[index][7] = new_action.getChannelIpo(bone_name)
+				# Now get the data from the IPOs
+				if not ipo:	ipo = armature_bone_data[index][7] = new_action.getChannelIpo(bone_name)
 			
-			loc = Vector()
-			quat  = Quaternion()
+				loc = Vector()
+				quat  = Quaternion()
 			
-			for curve in ipo:
-				val = curve.evaluate(1)
-				curve_name= curve.name
-				if   curve_name == 'LocX':  loc[0] = val
-				elif curve_name == 'LocY':  loc[1] = val
-				elif curve_name == 'LocZ':  loc[2] = val
-				elif curve_name == 'QuatW': quat[3]  = val
-				elif curve_name == 'QuatX': quat[0]  = val
-				elif curve_name == 'QuatY': quat[1]  = val
-				elif curve_name == 'QuatZ': quat[2]  = val
+				for curve in ipo:
+					val = curve.evaluate(1)
+					curve_name= curve.name
+					if   curve_name == 'LocX':  loc[0] = val
+					elif curve_name == 'LocY':  loc[1] = val
+					elif curve_name == 'LocZ':  loc[2] = val
+					elif curve_name == 'QuatW': quat[3]  = val
+					elif curve_name == 'QuatX': quat[0]  = val
+					elif curve_name == 'QuatY': quat[1]  = val
+					elif curve_name == 'QuatZ': quat[2]  = val
 			
-			bake_data[frame_index][bone_name] = loc, quat
-			
-		
+				bake_data[frame_index][bone_name] = loc, quat
+			else:
+				if ACTION_BAKE_FIRST_FRAME: pose_bone.insertKey(ob_arm, frame_index+1,  POSE_XFORM)
+				else:           pose_bone.insertKey(ob_arm, current_frame , POSE_XFORM)
 		frame_index+=1
-	
+	print "\nBaking Complete."
 	ob_arm.action = backup_action
-	Blender.Set('curframe', backup_frame)
-	return bake_data
+	if ACTION_BAKE==False:
+		Blender.Set('curframe', backup_frame)
+		return bake_data
+	elif ACTION_BAKE==True:
+		return new_action
+	else: print "ERROR: Invalid ACTION_BAKE %i sent to BPyArmature" % ACTION_BAKE