Editing the ramp band

An object is covered by a ramp band from the first to the last node. By adding and shifting nodes any shape of ramps can be produced... Show ramp band.

According to the type of media you can control the following factors:

Picture objects ... brightness or transparency, in accordance with the mode used
Sound objects ... the volume
Video objects ... the transparency
Data objects ... according to the control channel, e.g. voltages, DMX values, position data, switching states, etc.

Every object has four red standard nodes which are very useful for simple fading in and out, as well as for dissolves. You can move them with the mouse, but cannot delete them. Show standard nodes. When shifting standard nodes, brightness values (... below 100 %) and dissolve times or fade-in and out times are displayed. You can set additional nodes to shape the ramps... Show additional nodes.

Data objects partly behave differently. They only have two standard nodes and retain their last value. See also Programming analog/DMX devices.

What would you like to do?

Displaying node values

Using pre-defined ramp shapes

Shaping ramps

Additional nodes are used for shaping ramps. Show additional nodes. Double-click in the object to set a node. This node can be moved with the mouse. For additional nodes you can choose between two types of ramp shapes:

Linear ... produces nodes connected by a straight ramp band, like a tightened thread. They are ideal for straight section, e.g. for volume reductions or in general when the value is to remain constant over a certain period. Enable tool Linear keyframes and set the nodes by double-clicking into an object.
Spline ... produces nodes connected by a curved ramp band, like a bent piece of wire. They are ideal for curved shapes, but not for linear gradients. Enable tool Spline keyframes and set the nodes by double-clicking into an object. Shortcut via the O key. Show difference Linear/Spline.

Splines cannot be used properly for transitions from straight to bent curve portions. This is what Bezier nodes are for.

Bezier ...are nodes which can be set via a number of parameters and let you design a variety of different ramp shapes. After highlighting the nodes two additional handles appear which, by dragging, allow editing of the ramp shape. For simple applications there are two tools with presets for Bezier nodes:

SmartMove Keyframes ...the parameter curve, starting from a horizontal curve, runs smoothly to the next keyframe and is ideal for soft movements. During object modifications the handle parameters are adjusted. Shortcut via the Z key.

Symmetric keyframes ...creates also a node with Bezier properties. The handles, however, have identical tangents at both sides whose values are not object-related. Shortcut via the U key.

Note: Bezier nodes or keyframes become ineffective when their ramp bands are connected to adjacent Spline nodes or keyframes.

Show different effects of the two Bezier tools

The tools for node selection can also be enabled temporarily. Hold the shortcut key, set the node or keyframe by double-clicking and then let go of the key. See also Toolbar.
The function for automatic level reduction, e.g. to improve comprehensibility of comments, modifies the ramp band of audio objects accordingly and saves setting, moving and aligning of individual nodes. See Level reduction for spoken comments.
Since nodes or keyframes in Spline mode may, under certain circumstances, be difficult to handle you can use the option to change over to Bezier mode. See Changing nodes or keyframes from Spline to Bezier.

Changing fade in and out

When shifting an inner standard node, all other ordinary nodes located between this standard node and the beginning or the end of the object, respectively also change their position proportionally. A ramp form will thus maintain its properties.... Show effects.

Deleting nodes

Double-click the node to delete it.
If you want to delete several highlighted nodes, right-click one of these nodes and select Remove.
You delete all the nodes of an object by right-clicking the object and selecting Ramp - Reset.
Using the Delete key you can delete all highlighted elements, i.e. also tracks, objects, nodes, etc. Before this command is executed you will be queried if you really want to delete the listed elements. Tip: Hit Ctrl + D to clear all highlights. Following this highlight all the elements that you want to delete.

Highlighting nodes

Hold the Ctrl key down to highlight a number of nodes by clicking them.
By drawing a frame you can highlight several nodes and move or delete them simultaneously.
Holding the Ctrl key and dragging a time frame in an object with the mouse highlights all nodes in this area.

Standard nodes and additional nodes cannot be highlighted simultaneously.

Aligning nodes

If you want to align the height of a node exactly with the height of the adjacent node, you can do so in two ways:

You set "aligned" nodes. To do so, you hold the Alt key while double-clicking. The new node will be created at the height of that adjacent node which is nearer in height. Alternatively, you can highlight a node to set the new node at that height.
If you want to align the height of an existing node, you right-click it and select Align. It will be aligned in height as described above. Moreover, you can also enter the height of a node numerically via the Properties Dialog
(right-click the node).

Movement tools allow the direction of node movements to be confined. For vertical movement press the V key and for horizontal movement the H key. See also Toolbar.

Displaying node values

When you highlight one node the values are displayed in a little flag. You can have all node values displayed or switch off display of the values altogether, by clicking main menu item View - Display node values and selecting the desired type of display.
You can choose whether the values are to be displayed in percent, decibel or as DMX values. To do so, right-click a node and select Properties. Under Value select the corresponding format. The unit chosen herein applies to all nodes of an object.