We assemble
a list of how-to-use FAQ (Frequent Asked Questions) to help you jump
start your experience with Comixware. But before anything else (if you haven't already done so), READ System Requirement and Install & Initiate chapters FIRST to get your bases covered.
What is
the basics of movie composition in Comixware? Conceptually, there are 2 types of composition in Comixware. One is 'timeline' related called "Timeline Editing" and the other is individual 'scene' related called "Scene Composition".
You build and edit your movie in a Timeline strip, and you compose your
scene on a Compose stage. In each instance (or mode) you work with a different
set of composition assets: Timeline Assets for timeline editing and Scene Assets for scene composition. Timeline Assets comprised of movie clips of
various kinds are stored in Timeline Asset Bin. Scene Assets comprised of compositional 'objects'
of various natures are stored in Scene Asset Bin.
Where do I store my movie assets?
On PC: C:\Comixware Assets\user\
On Mac: Macintosh HD:Comixware Assets:user:
user folder is where you store your own assets for use in Comixware. See a tree view of user directory.
IMPORTANT: the names and the structure of user folder and its sub-folders should NOT be altered in any way.
Place your files in bins under respective user sub-directories (timeline, scene and sound). For example, you want your asset to be used as timeline asset and accessible from Timeline Asset bin 1. Then you should place your file in: C:\Comixware Assets\user\timeline\bin1. Now when you launch the program, you will see it shown up in Timeline Asset bin 1 (in user mode) accordingly. Learn more about The Physical Store of User Assets.
How do I
compose a movie timeline?
In Timeline Editing Mode you drag thumbnails (clips) from Timeline Asset Bin bin (on the left) and drop
them into Timeline strip (at the bottom) to build your movie. You
then drag-n-drop your scenes (thumbnails) around in the Timeline
strip to arrange their order (see drag_and_drop screen shot). In addition, you
may double click a scene from timeline to go to its Scene Composition Mode to further customize that scene.
How do I switch to Scene Composition mode?
Your scene must be already in the Timeline strip for you to initiate
its Scene Composition mode. There are 2 ways for you to switch to
Scene Composition from Timeline Editing mode:
- Double click a thumbnail in your Timeline to go to its Scene Composition
mode, or
- If your scene is in the Preview window, click the 'PREVIEW' rollover button (on top of Preview window) to go to Scene Composition.
What do
I do with Compose stage? In Scene Composition mode you are presented with a Compose
stage and a Scene Asset Bin. The Scene Asset Bin is normally tucked away seamlessly in the frame of Compose window. Click the top left tab to have it open. Then simply
drag assets from the bin to your stage to arrange and adjust them
the way you want. Each object comes with a bounding box that has controls for you to manipulate its size, position,
rotation and color. You can also define an object's on-screen duration
by adjusting its in-and-out marks on the frame track (at the bottom of the stage).
Once you're done with a composition, press Record button to save your work to the timeline. Now when you play your
movie back all the animation, dialog or SFX you added to your scene
will be there playing along with other scenes in your timeline.
Can I modify the length of a scene?
Yes, you can make any scene longer or shorter with Scene
Length control in Scene Composition mode. You simply type
in a new 'total' frame number (in Frame Display) and hit 'Enter'
key, a pop-up menu will prompt you to define where the crop or addition
to be applied: to the end, to the front or to make cycle of current movie clip. Once a command is selected the scene length will be changed
accordingly.
How do I
go back to timeline editing?
To switch back to Timeline Editing from Scene Composition mode, you
click the rollover 'COMPOSE' button at the
top of Compose window. See Scene Composition Mode screen sample.
Can I copy-and-paste of scenes or objects?
Yes, copy and paste can be performed both in Timeline strip
and on Compose stage (in SC mode). To access copy-n-paste
commands, you right-mouse-click (or 'control' click on Mac)
on a selected scene(s) or composition object(s). This will bring
up a contextual
menu where copy-n-paste and other productivity commands
can be performed.
Why can't I find some of my assets in the Program?
The assets you are referring are files that you placed in the user\scene sub-folders but are nowhere to be found in Comixware Program, correct? This is not because they mysteriously disappear from the Program. It is because you are looking for them in the wrong 'mode'.
In Comixware "scene" assets are accessible ONLY when you are in Scene Composition mode composing a "scene". If you don't have ANY "scene" in your movie yet, you won't be able to switch to Scene Composition mode. Because there is no scene to compose for. That's why you couldn't find your "scene" assets when your Timeline was empty.
So in order to access your "scene" assets, first you have to create a "scene" from Timeline Editing Mode. You drag-and-drop a clip from (Timeline) Asset Bin into Timeline strip to create a "scene". Then double-click that scene's thumbnail to go to Scene Composition Mode. Now click the top left tab of the COMPOSE window to open the Scene Asset Bin. Voila, all the "missing" assets you're looking for are in there!
Where are
my sound assets?
They are stored in the Sound
Asset Panel. This normally concealed panel can be brought up
by double clicking the "sound" symbol on the right of
the Timeline. To select a soundtrack for your movie simply "highlight" a desired track from the list and close the Panel. Now that soundtrack is selected for your movie and will play along with your timeline. You
can preview a track within the Panel by selecting it and pressing the Preview button. You can also adjust the volume of a selected track by dragging the volume slider to desired position.
How do I
prepare my own assets?
- For
adding your own soundtracks please read HERE.
- For creating your own BG clips please read HERE.
- For creating your own Composition Objects please read HERE.
Can
I share my movie with other people?
Absolutely, you can share your masterpiece with friends or showcase it to world by posting it to Comixware Gallery. You can also use Comixware's built
in security to password
protect your Gallery movie for private file exchange
or online work collaboration.
Can
I use my legacy version 2.1 movie file in SE?
No, SE uses a new file system that is not compatible with version 2.1 movie. SE also has a different Gallery network that is incompatible with Classic Gallery.
How do I publish my movie to the outside world?
For publishing to the outside world, you can use Comixware's Movie Exporter to output your movie in QuickTime format. Movie Exporter is an optional movie rendering module capable of producing professional grade picture and sound. Couple it with Comixware's multimedia capability it expands your publishing possibility exponentially.
How do I
switch between Comixware and my Desktop?
You use Alt + Tab key to switch between Comixware and your Desktop programs.
Where can I get help?
You can access this Help document from within your Comixware application
anytime. Just click one of those circled ? (question marks) and the Help document will be opened in your web browser. You
can also get tech support by writing to:
or posting your question to Comixware forum for answer from your fellow
users.
Introduction > Quick Start
What is the basics of movie composition in Comixware?
