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Embody

Embody is a TouchDesigner extension that automates externalization of COMP and DAT operators to version-control-friendly files. It solves the fundamental problem of TouchDesigner's binary .toe files being impossible to diff or merge in git.

How It Works

  1. Tag any operator with a double-tap of Left Ctrl
  2. Save with Ctrl+Shift+U — Embody writes tagged operators to external files
  3. Diff and merge those files in git like any other source code

Embody maintains a bidirectional sync between your .toe project and external files:

  • Sync out: Press Ctrl+Shift+U to write all dirty COMPs and DATs to external files (.tox for COMPs, .py/.json/etc. for DATs)
  • Sync in: On project open, Embody automatically restores all externalized operators from disk — TOX-strategy COMPs from .tox files, TDN-strategy COMPs from .tdn JSON files, and DATs via TouchDesigner's native file parameter
  • Tracking: An externalizations.tsv table tracks all externalized ops with path, type, timestamp, dirty state, and build number

Features

  • Automatic restoration on project open — all externalized operators are restored from their files on disk, so your .toe never needs to be the source of truth
  • Parameter change detection — tracks all parameter values and marks COMPs dirty when anything changes
  • Build tracking — adds Build Number, Touch Build, and Build Date to every externalized COMP
  • Safe file management — only deletes files it created, never touches untracked files
  • Cross-platform — all paths normalized to forward slashes for Windows/macOS collaboration
  • Duplicate detection — prompts when two operators point to the same external file
  • Full project externalization — externalize everything in one click
  • UTC timestamps — synchronized for international workflows