chi

int  chi(string channel)

int  chi(string channel, float time)

Evaluates a channel (or parameter) and return its value. The time is specified in seconds, not in frames. If you don’t specify the time, the function returns the value at the current time.

Houdini includes several functions to evaluate channels/parameters of different types.

• To get a float or string without needing to know the parameter type, use ch.
• To get a float, use chf.
• To get a string, use chs.
• For integer parameters, use chi
• For matrix type parameters, use ch3 or ch4.
• For a ramp parameter, use chramp or chrampderiv.
• Use chid to get an op_id, parm_index and vector_index to evaluate the channel without having to do string resolution.