Forcing ScriptOp TOP to Cook Without Using Its Output

General TouchDesigner Discussion
1

Hi everyone,

I’m working with a ScriptOp TOP in TouchDesigner 2023.11600 to perform some custom math and export the results to a table DAT. The script is functioning correctly, and I don’t require anything from the TOP’s visual output.

However, I do need the Script TOP to cook regularly to ensure the data is updated. At the moment, I’m forcing the cook by referencing the TOP elsewhere in the network in a way that doesn’t actually use its output—essentially a workaround. While this approach works, it feels a bit hacky and inelegant.

Is there a cleaner or more appropriate way to force the Script TOP to cook even if its output isn’t needed?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

2

What is the source of data that is changing that requires it to re-calculate it’s results? Ideally it should be cooking when that source changes.

There are options in the new experimental build to force a Script OP to cook every frame no matter what, but that may not help you right now.

3

Hi Malcom, thanks for your response,
The chain in really simple:
Video device in → Script Op Top → then I populate a table Dat, and use this data to create geometry that goes to a render

4

In the current Official the best way to do this would be with an Execute DAT, that is calling cook() on the node every frame.