Prevent Undo list entries

[andyp24]

Hi

I have a script which I'd like NOT to generate an entry in the Undo history.

This seems easy to do - just don't include the "Begin Undo Block" and "End Undo Block" code.

However, during the script I use the function

reaper.SelectAllMediaItems(0,0) to clear the selection

and this DOES generate an entry in the Undo list.

Is it possible to stop any "native actions" (such as that function to deselect all) within the script from creating Undo points?

Thanks
Andy

[amagalma]

Try this in the end of your script:

reaper.defer(function() end)

[andyp24]

OK, thanks I'll try it.

Can you explain why that might have the desired effect?

Deferring a non-existent function - why would that affect Undo entries, and would it have any impact on Reaper's performance? (My understanding is that defer functions are called roughly 30 times a second, so will that have a noticeable impact even if the function that's called does nothing?)

Cheers
Andy

[Justin]

The correct way is to restore the state to where you started before calling endblock -- if the user has undo for selection state configured, then you really do want to have an undo point added when you clear the selected item states (as otherwise you will end up in inconsistent states).

The defer trick (which is harmless, it only runs the script once) does work, because undo points are not added automatically for scripts that are deferred (since they might want to wait until a longer process is done).

[andyp24]

Thanks Justin

I'm not sure I understand though.

My script uses the reaper.SetMediaItemsSelected (0,0) function in the middle of it, but by the end of the script I have restored the original selection (which I saved to an array at the beginning).

Yet, without any Undo code on the script the Reaper Undo window shows entries for Deselect All Items, but not anything for the other things the script is doing (such as nudging, selecting things again etc).

Andy

[bFooz]

There are some functions which generates undo points despite the script being deferred.

Most recently I found reaper.ReorderSelectedTracks() doing that and some time before another function but cannot remember what it was, probably something with item manipulation. Also reaper.Main_OnCommand() calls does generate undo.

So, is it expected that these few functions does generate undo even if they are in ad deferrescript or is it a bug?

[nofish]

I think in your case you could avoid creating the undo point replacing reaper.SelectAllMediaItems(0,0) with looping through all items and set them unselected with SetMediaItemInfo_Value() (using B_UISEL)

edit:
Or SetMediaItemSelected()

[andyp24]

Thanks - yes, I could do that, I just thought the native function would be quicker (to write, and to perform!)

Will give it a go, though.

Andy

[nofish]

Originally Posted by andyp24

I just thought the native function would be quicker (to write, and to perform!)

I go along with this of course.
Just wanted to mention as possible workaround.

I too wish we had more control over when undo points are created or not, e.g.
https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=215672

[mespotine]

Yes, the Undo/Redo/NoUndo-behavior of Reaper definetely needs some more love, as the scripter's needs surpassed the current possibilities by far in the meantime...

[foxAsteria]

Any way to do this in a Cycle Action?

[Justin]

Originally Posted by andyp24

My script uses the reaper.SetMediaItemsSelected (0,0) function in the middle of it, but by the end of the script I have restored the original selection (which I saved to an array at the beginning).

If you use Undo_BeginBlock(), then save selection,clear selection, restore selection, and do Undo_EndBlock(), then it should eliminate the undo state point (unless something else changed). You can right click the undo point in the undo history and go to the "Undo state information" submenu to see what changed (click an item and it'll show you a diff).

[Triode]

Originally Posted by mespotine

Yes, the Undo/Redo/NoUndo-behavior of Reaper definetely needs some more love

If it was in the action list. Another checkbox next to "consolidate undo points" that says "no undo"

I guess it's a big one to implement otherwise it would be there already..

[andyp24]

Originally Posted by Justin

If you use Undo_BeginBlock(), then save selection,clear selection, restore selection, and do Undo_EndBlock(), then it should eliminate the undo state point (unless something else changed). You can right click the undo point in the undo history and go to the "Undo state information" submenu to see what changed (click an item and it'll show you a diff).

Thanks Justin

The script nudges edges of some items, and then nudges a different selection of whole items.

So, between saving the selection, deselecting everything and restoring the original selection, quite a few things happen. It just seems odd that the only one of the actions I'm performing in the script to leave a trace in the Undo History is that SetMediaItemsSelected (0,0) line.