Forums Technical Discussion How to wait for X seconds without blocking main thread?

How to wait for X seconds without blocking main thread?

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raincole
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In Houdini Python API, how could I delay the execution of a function for several seconds without blocking the main thread?

Something similar to time.sleep(), but non-blocking.
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maximumsproductions
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Was about to ask somewhat adjacently similar question.

I was hoping to see example of moving a node in networkview live every X seconds. I've been unsuccessful in terms of performance and have a feeling I'm doing this quite wrong.


In any case for your question I'd maybe recommend looking at : 

hdefereval.executeInMainThreadWithResult
and/or threading threading.Timer (stopping that process mid call I'm unsure though)

I wish I could find anymore documentation about hdefereval or if anyone has any other tips as I'd love to figure out a way to essentially run a function x timestep with this like a live node graph update, it gives me inconsistent behavior on how long that process takes.
Edited by maximumsproductions - July 29, 2024 15:00:02
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raincole
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Still couldn't get it to work

I don't know, man, there must be a more straightforward way...
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maximumsproductions
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Heya! Sorry I didn't provide example. So hopefully I am answering this and not wasting your time --- as for me I considering "blocking" the main thread where my houdini shell just freezes hah but maybe I don't understand correctly.

I'm not really satisfied with this approach, as I'd like to just use time.sleep() and thread only but if you try this, does this help your needs? :

import hou
import hdefereval
import threading
import time

def run_cmd_now():
    print("run cmd now")

def run_cmd_later():
    print("run cmd later")

def thread_run_cmd():

    hdefereval.executeInMainThreadWithResult(run_cmd_now)
    time.sleep(2)
    hdefereval.executeInMainThreadWithResult(run_cmd_later)
    time.sleep(2)
    print("done")

thread = threading.Thread(target = thread_run_cmd)
thread.daemon = True 
thread.start()
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