colour over time overhaul

[ldotchopz]

I've been using Tyflow from the start and the custom properties + mapping with a gradient ramp seems so outdated, slow and difficult to use. I seem to waste literally hours for what seems like it should very simple to do colour changing over time. and it's fine if it's just a bunch of spheres. But it gets so frustrating once you try this with something more complex like a character with multiple materials, different mapping channels and each render engine having it's own unique headaches you have to try and work through each time, since some display but don't render, some don't render but display. 

Can this be made simple like X particles for c4d or something? i'm pulling my hair out with this method.

[tyFlow]

It's not clear what the issue is - also you don't need a Custom Properties operator anymore...everything can be done within a Mapping operator:

Mapping operator (mode: "from value"). Set value to 1, set interpolation to frames (curve interpolation) and however many frames (duration) you want....this will interpolate the UVW value from 0 to 1 over the specified number of frames.

Then you use a Gradient Ramp in your material, set it to the same channel as the data in your mapping operator and the colors will interpolate. Gradient ramp should be compatible with all materials/renderers.

Not sure how to make it any simpler than that, while also offering the same amount of control and being compatible with all materials/renderers...

[im.thatoneguy]

It's not clear what the issue is - also you don't need a Custom Properties operator anymore...everything can be done within a Mapping operator:

Mapping operator (mode: "from value"). Set value to 1, set interpolation to frames (curve interpolation) and however many frames (duration) you want....this will interpolate the UVW value from 0 to 1 over the specified number of frames.

Then you use a Gradient Ramp in your material, set it to the same channel as the data in your mapping operator and the colors will interpolate. Gradient ramp should be compatible with all materials/renderers.

Not sure how to make it any simpler than that, while also offering the same amount of control and being compatible with all materials/renderers...

While, that is definitely a good way to do it. I think you overestimate how obvious that solve is to users.  I came to look up this thread because I remembered that there was already a straightforward and easy solve but I couldn't remember what it was (even though I had just used an animated Value for scale minutes ago). 

I think just adding "Age" to the dropdown that is just "value" but setup with Curve Interpolation would make it obvious to users who don't think to use Value.

[cgdvs]

It's not clear what the issue is - also you don't need a Custom Properties operator anymore...everything can be done within a Mapping operator:

Mapping operator (mode: "from value"). Set value to 1, set interpolation to frames (curve interpolation) and however many frames (duration) you want....this will interpolate the UVW value from 0 to 1 over the specified number of frames.

Then you use a Gradient Ramp in your material, set it to the same channel as the data in your mapping operator and the colors will interpolate. Gradient ramp should be compatible with all materials/renderers.

Not sure how to make it any simpler than that, while also offering the same amount of control and being compatible with all materials/renderers...

I believe what he means is this: he wants tyFlow particles to have an internal particle material attribute. For example, to make particles change color based on their age, you would simply create a "tyFlow Material Property" operator. In the operator's attribute list, select the age attribute, adjust the min and max values on either side, and there would be a gradient below for custom color setup, and so on. Changes to these settings can be previewed on particles in real time.
I think this is what this user is asking for. He just wants to simplify the workflow, so desired effects can be achieved by tweaking just a few parameters.