preview for layer router/effect clip/file

[Zoltán]

I would like to be able to see the preview of a layer router/effect clip before it is launched.
Also a preview for the selected clip in the file browser would be nice.

[Oaktown]

I use a blackout layer with layer routers so for me to preview layer routers, I can just load a clip (in a different layer than what's currently playing) and click on the preview bar of the router. As far as I understand your issue is that you can't preview without a blackout layer since you don't have a loaded clip, right?

As far as previewing selected clip in the file browser, all you need to do is double click on it. Unless you meant previewing your clip with the router/effect, in which case you can do that with the blackout layer.

[Zoltán]

my issue is that the layer router only shows up in the preview monitor when it is actively playing, so it does not behave the same as clips.
I have clips playing, below the router, eg. router set to composition and I would like to see the result of a router, or effect clip which is basically a router with effects before it is activated, so I can tweak the parameters.

thanks for the tip for the browser, I will try that tomorrow.

[Oaktown]

my issue is that the layer router only shows up in the preview monitor when it is actively playing, so it does not behave the same as clips.

I have clips playing, below the router, eg. router set to composition and I would like to see the result of a router, or effect clip which is basically a router with effects before it is activated, so I can tweak the parameters.

I see the problem now! Layer router doesn't preview the comp unless it's triggered but you can preview if the source is a single layer even though it's not triggered.

So try this little work around. Add a blackout layer above your comp router and one more layer above it with a router which has the layer with your comp router for source. Now trigger your comp router (and the blackout layer) and nothing should show up but if you preview the new router set to show the comp router layer you should now see the preview.

thanks for the tip for the browser, I will try that tomorrow.

You're welcome

[Joris]

Because of the relatively unique nature of the Layer Router / Effect Clip, it's technically a bit of a minefield to get a preview for it like you would a regular clip.

The quickest way to get its preview is to trigger it in a layer with the opacity turned down and then preview the layer. This is similar to how you would preview a clip looks with layer effects applied.

[Oaktown]

The quickest way to get its preview is to trigger it in a layer with the opacity turned down and then preview the layer. This is similar to how you would preview a clip looks with layer effects applied.

I realize it's not the recommended approach but I guess that way you could create an A/B switch with a preview screen using the advanced output and choosing 2 layers with the comp routers as Input Source and uncheck the layer opacity.

[Zoltán]

thanks for the tips,

my problem with workarounds is, that they involve rendeing 2 -3 more layers, at HD resolutions they will eat up half the procesing power just to be able to preview, and they are far from intuitive.

so I am just expressing a point where I think the software could be improved - if technically possible - thinking with the end-users' head.

[Joris]

Your request is duly noted, but unlikely to happen.

The position of a clip in the grid doesn't necessarily have 1:1 relation to the layer it will be triggered in. So if you are previewing something which is in the grid at the height of layer 5, you could use active layer triggering to trigger it in layer 2. How would Resolume know which layers to show in it?

Really, the best way to preview something like this is to trigger it in a layer with the opacity turned down.

[Zoltán]

The position of a clip in the grid doesn't necessarily have 1:1 relation to the layer it will be triggered in. So if you are previewing something which is in the grid at the height of layer 5, you could use active layer triggering to trigger it in layer 2. How would Resolume know which layers to show in it?

I must say, I don't really see the difficulty in this, but please correct me if I'm wrong assuming these:

When router input set to composition:
- in active layer mode you know which is the active layer - where te router will show up if launched, so you know where you have to get the input from.
- Surely you also have an algorythm for the case, where free layer mode is used to determine which layer the clip will launch in. So I think you know the source position as well. When a clip is launced during preview in the previously deretmined target layer, the target may change, you only have to change the previews source accordingly.

When layer router's input is set to a specific layer, it gets simple. just preview with the texture and layer router effects.
If the layer routers input is set to the layer it would launch in, active layer mode or free layer mode -ie source is SELF - would only display a black(transparent ?) image anyway, (so that would not make much sense.)

As I noticed, clip previews - when not launched - are not affected by layer settins(position/size etc.) so in that regard it would not need a change.

Own layer mode is straightforward.

have I forgot any combination?

[Joris]

Send over your CV so we can hire you to come and do this!