Compose Window

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When you switch (from Timeline Editing mode) to Scene Composition mode, you are present with Compose Window (see sample screen above). Compose Window is where you compose and preview your scene.

Almost identical to the look of the Preview Window, Compose Window has a larger viewing screen surrounded by various video buttons (Record, Play/Pause, Previous Frame and Next Frame) and playback controls (Frame Slider and Frame Counter). One minor difference from the Preview Window is the Record button in the place of the Pause button. And note that the Play button is now a dual mode Play/Pause button. Except Record button, Compose's video buttons function exactly the same as those on Preview Window. As for the Frame Slider and the Frame Counter, in addiction to the navigation purpose, they are used to carry out tasks specific to scene composition function (object duration and scene length control).

Stacked on top of the Compose window is the Scene Asset Bin where various type of scene composition objects are stored. Note that the "Scene" Asset Bin is contextually changed from "Timeline" Asset Bin as we switch from TE to SC mode. This Bin can be tucked into Compose window for better canvas maneuverability. Simply click on the little square on top of the tab to tuck it away. Another click will bring the Bin back into view.

 

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Basic Operation

The basic compose operation is comprised of dragging and dropping objects from Asset Bin onto COMPOSE stage, adjusting their variables (position, size, color etc.), and set an in and an out frame for each object's screen duration, then press Record button to register the composition. At this point, a letter 'E' will be flashing momentarily above the corresponding thumbnail in the Timeline indicating that the change has been recorded. Note: This 'E' indicator is only applied to change(s) made in the current session. The 'E' will not appear next time you reload this movie from SAVE section.

You can use the 3 video buttons (Play/Pause, Next Frame, Previous Frame) or the Frame Slider (scrubber) to playback and navigate the scene during composition.

 

Object Selection

In order to manipulate your on-stage compositional object(s), you must first have it selected. A selected object is framed by a bounding box. By default when an object is first dropped on the stage, it is selected. You may select or deselect on-stage object(s) as follow:

To select a single object: click on an on-stage object and a bounding box will appear around the object indicating it is selected.

To select multiple objects: hold down 'Shift' key while click on desired objects one by one. With the first object selected in a bounding box, each of subsequent selections will bear a gray line box around it indicating it's being selected with the group.

To deselect object(s): click on any unoccupied space within the Compose Window.

Note: Once you have multiple objects selected, you can perform all bounding box controls (except "Layer" control) on the selection in unison. You can move, tilt, flip, resize, change color and remove selected objects in unison.

Switching Scenes in Compose Window
To switch to another scene in Compose window you can do either of the followings: a) click to select the thumbnail of another scene in the Timeline, or b) simply drag the thumbnail of another scene from Timeline and drop it into Compose Window.

Note: Please be aware that the new selected or dropped-in scene will replace the current scene immediately. So if you want to save your current composition, make sure you record it BEFORE you switch to another scene. Otherwise your current composition will be lost.

Change Back to Timeline Editing Mode
To switch back to Timeline Editing Mode from Scene Composition mode, you simply click on the rollover "EDIT TIMELINE" button on the top of Compose Window (the arrow next to the title 'COMPOSE') to go to TE mode. Note: you have to be in TE mode in order to access Timeline Asset Bin.