Space-Time Editor (STED)Chalice includes a channel and temporal data editing utility called the Space-Time Editor (STED) that enables you to perform complex editing of parameter values, individually or collectively. The STED is a powerful and versatile tool that can help you create precisely the image you desire. The STED displays parameter data as a waveform; that is, it plots the values for a parameter across the range of frames in the current image sequence. You use the STED to control the interpolation of this parameter data. The STED will display a waveform for each channel or other parameter type in a group. (A group is usually associated with a single node.) The waveforms appear on a scrollable and adjustable two-dimensional graph:
Depending on the node or parameter for which you opened the STED window, each waveform may represent any one of the following:
Waveforms can be manipulated individually or in groups. A waveform can be split into segments by inserting key frames at each point you want a new segment to start. You adjust the value and position of key frames and apply different functions to segments to control the interpolation of parameter data. STED ButtonsYou open the STED window by double-clicking on a STED button. These buttons appear on numerous parameter tabs throughout the Chalice interface. The first time you click a STED button, Chalice makes the associated parameter data available to the Space-Time Editor, and changes the appearance of the STED button icon from a gray matrix to a waveform over a black background: The second time you click the STED button, Chalice opens a STED window, which enables you to animate values for a particular node or parameter.
You can Alt-click any active STED button to return it to its inactive state. STED WindowThe STED window displays a graph surrounded by a number of buttons, menus, and data entry fields that enable you to manipulate the waveforms in the graph in various ways. ![]() Resizing the STED WindowYou can enlarge or reduce the size of the STED window by clicking the left mouse button and dragging any corner or side handle on the STED window.
Scrolling in the GraphTo scroll vertically through the STED graph, click the middle mouse button anywhere in the graph and drag up or down. To scroll horizontally, use the Slider Bar at the bottom of the graph. The bar on the slider is divided into two parts; click the bottom half of the bar and drag in the direction you want to scroll. Adjusting the Display Range in the GraphYou can increase or decrease the range of values displayed in the vertical axis of the graph by holding down the middle mouse button and dragging left (to decrease) or right (to increase). The Slider Bar at the bottom of the graph allows you to adjust the range of values displayed in the horizontal axis of the graph. Click and drag the arrows on the slider to adjust the range, or key new values into the start and end fields located on the left and right ends of the slider.
STED GraphThe STED graph displays a waveform to represent each active parameter in the Channel Name list. Each waveform can be divided into additional segments, and each segment can be edited individually. ![]() Adding SegmentsEvery waveform is bounded by two key frames, the first frame and the last frame, which allow you to adjust the start and end values for the waveform. You can divide a waveform into additional segments by adding key frames. To create a new segment or segments, hold down the Alt key and click at every point on the line where you want a new segment to start. Chalice will mark the beginning of each new segment (and the end of the previous segment) by creating a key frame at that point. Each time you Alt-click on a waveform, Chalice will create a new key frame at the same position on all other waveforms in the graph. To isolate a single parameter for modification, turn off the display of any other waveforms by clicking on their names in the Channel Name list. You can then adjust the horizontal position of the key frame, to change the length of the segment, and the vertical position of the key frame, to change the start or end value for the interpolation of the segment. (For more information, see "Editing Segments " below.) Deleting SegmentsTo remove a segment, click on it to select it and press the Delete key, or select Delete from the STED Edit menu. (Alternatively, you can select the time mark to the left of the segment rather than the segment itself.) Chalice will delete the segment along with the key frame on its left (this is the key frame that controlled the start value for the deleted segment). The segment before it then stretches to fill the gap. If the segment you delete is the first or last segment in the waveform, however, the entire waveform will be shortened accordingly. Editing SegmentsThe following characteristics of segments can be modified: The start and end values of a segment are defined by the key frames on either side. Different functions can be applied to a segment to control the interpolation from the start value to the end value. For some functions you can control the slope of the curve and the rate of acceleration. Each key frame has at least two control elements: the value point and the time mark. For segments with functions that apply slope and acceleration values, key frames also provide slope handles and acceleration points to control these characteristics of the curve. ![]() Value PointThe Value Point is a square that controls the value represented in the vertical axis of the graph. Click and drag the value point up or down to adjust the value. Alternatively, you can select the point to highlight the corresponding data entry field below the graph (it is labeled "V:") and key in a specific numeric value. Time MarkThe Time Mark is a vertical dashed line intersecting the value point. Click and drag the time mark left or right to adjust the frame number. Alternatively, you can select the line to highlight the corresponding data entry field below the graph (it is labeled "T:") and key in a specific frame number. Slope HandleA Slope Handle is a white bar intersecting the key frames of function segments that use slopes. You can click and drag a slope handle radially around the key frame to adjust the angle of the slope. Alternatively, you can select the slope handle to highlight the corresponding data entry field below the graph (it is labeled "S:") and key in a specific value. Acceleration DiamondAn Acceleration Diamond is a diamond-shaped point attached to each end of a slope handle for functions that use acceleration. You can click the diamond at either end of the handle and drag it in or out (the handle will shrink or stretch) to change the rate of acceleration. Alternatively, you can select the acceleration diamond to highlight the corresponding data entry field below the graph (it is labeled "A:") and key in a specific value.
Untying SegmentsBy default, the key frame separating two segments is tied; that is, its value point defines the end value of the segment on the left and the start value of the segment on the right. Consequently, any changes you make to the value apply to both segments. However, you can untie the segments so that each can be edited separately. To untie two segments, select the value point between them and click the Tie/Untie button on the Control Palette (or select the Tie/Untie command from the STED Edit menu). You can also untie the slope and acceleration values of two segments. To untie the slope value, select the slope handle that intersects the key frame between the segments. Then click the Tie/Untie button. To untie the acceleration value, select the diamond on either end of the slope handle and click the Tie/Untie button. ![]() Channel Name ListThe Channel Name list on the left side of the STED window displays the current list of parameters, each of which corresponds to a different waveform in the graph. Each item has a unique name, which always includes the node name and parameter name. For example, "blur1/blur" signifies the blur parameter of a node named "blur1." Any item in the Channel Name list may be deactivated. If you click an active item in the list, the name is grayed out and the corresponding waveform disappears from the graph. If you click a grayed-out name in the list, the item becomes active again and its waveform reappears in the graph. Edit ButtonsThe Edit buttons enable you to add or remove parameters from the Channel Name List. (Remember that the STED window is capable of displaying parameter data for any node, not just the currently active node, as long as the STED button associated with the parameter is in its active state.) ![]() The contents of the Edit menus will vary, depending on the current state of your grail file. Click any of the Edit buttons to display a popup menu of available parameters, grouped by node. For example, "chalice1/crop1/*" would represent all active parameters in a node named "crop1." "Plus" MenuThe (+) button displays a popup menu of all active parameter data. Select any item in the menu to add it to the current list of items in the Channel Name List. Select the "*/*/*" option to add all items in the menu to the list. "Minus" MenuThe (-) button displays a popup menu of all items currently in the Channel Name List. Select any item to remove it from the list. Select the "*/*/*" option to remove all items from the list. "Equals" MenuThe (=) button displays a popup menu of all active parameter data in any node. Select an item from this menu to replace all items currently in the Channel Name list with the selected parameter data. Select the "*/*/*" option to replace the current Channel Name List with all items listed in the popup menu. Data Entry FieldsThe data entry fields at the bottom of the STED window display current values for selected segments and key frames in the graph. You can adjust these values by keying new values into any active field, or by using the associated tuner, to make precise numerical adjustments. "T:" FieldWhen active, this field displays the currently selected value for the horizontal axis of the graph (the time mark), which usually represents a frame number. "V:" FieldWhen active, this field displays the currently selected value for the vertical axis of the graph (the value point). "S:" FieldWhen active, this field displays the slope value of the currently selected function curve. Slope applies only to the cubic, Bezier, and quintic functions. "A:" FieldWhen active, this field displays the acceleration value for the currently selected function curve. Acceleration applies only to the Bezier and quintic functions. Function (Func) MenuThe Function menu in the lower-right corner of the STED window allows you to select an interpolation function to apply to the currently selected segment. The menu includes the following commonly used functions:
Function (Func) FieldThe Function Field in the lower-right corner of the STED window displays the interpolation function currently applied to the selected segment. The Function field enables you to modify a function, or apply a function not included in the Function menu, by keying an appropriate expression into the "Func" field and pressing the Enter key. For example, you can reverse any function by multiplying by -1. To reverse a linear function, modify it as follows:
To create a cosine curve, try using this expression:
To view any segment as raw data, use this expression:
For more information about using expressions, see appendix B, "Chalice Expression Language ." Control Palette ButtonsThe right side of the STED window features a palette of buttons that allow you to control display options for the STED graph. (These options are also available in the STED Options and STED Edit menus.) ![]() All options are on by default, with the exception of Horizontal Adapt, Tie/Untie and Undo, which by the nature of their operation do not have a default state. In instances where the graph contains numerous, closely spaced waveforms, or waveforms with many key frames, it may be helpful to turn off the display of one or more options to facilitate the selection of other options. ValuesThis button controls the display of value points for key frames in the graph. When the Values button is active, all value points in the graph are visible. Any point can be selected and modified. If you turn Values off, the value points disappear from the graph and cannot be selected or modified. Raw ValuesThis button controls the display of raw value data points in the graph. This option is only applicable to segments in the graph that are displaying raw (uninterpolated) data. When Raw Values is on, a square representing the value in the vertical axis is displayed across the range of the horizontal axis. Each raw value point may be adjusted individually. If you turn Raw Values off, the value points disappear from the graph and the data cannot be modified. Time MarksLike the Values button, this button controls the display of time marks for key frames in the graph. When the Time Marks button is active, all time marks in the graph are visible. Any time mark line can be selected and modified. If you turn Time Marks off, the time marks disappear from the graph and cannot be selected or modified. SlopesThis button controls the display of slope handles for function segments that use slopes. When the Slopes button is active, all slope handles in the graph are visible. Any handle can be selected and adjusted. If you turn Slopes off, the handles disappear and slopes cannot be selected or modified. FunctionsThis button turns functions on or off. When the Functions button is on, all segments can be selected and new functions can be applied to them. If you turn Functions off, segments in the graph are still visible, but they cannot be selected and you cannot apply a new function to any segment. Vertical AdaptThis command adjusts the vertical scale factor to display the entire range of current parameter data values for the vertical axis. When the Vertical Adapt button is on, the vertical scale of the graph will adapt to the new value range automatically after every modification. You can click the middle mouse button and drag back and forth in the graph to override the current Vertical Adapt setting and adjust the vertical scale manually. Horizontal AdaptThis command adjusts the horizontal scale factor to display the entire range of current parameter data values for the horizontal axis. You click the Horizontal Adapt button after a modification to adapt the horizontal scale of the graph to the new value range. Alternatively, you can use the Slider Bar at the bottom of the graph to adjust the horizontal scale manually. Tie / Untie ( alt t)This button enables you to tie or untie two segments at a specific key frame. When the Tie/Untie button is clicked, it always toggles the selected item to a new state--if it is tied, Chalice will untie it, and vice versa. MenuPress the Menu button on the Control Palette to display a popup menu with three options. A checkmark next to an option indicates that it is on (all three are on by default). Display Grid toggles the background grid display in the graph on and off. Snap to Frame ensures that any key frame you reposition by dragging its time mark snaps to the nearest exact frame number when you release the mouse button. Raw Interpolation applies only to raw data segments. This option adds linear interpolation between samples at each frame. Undo ( alt u)You can click the Undo button whenever it is available to undo the last change you made in the STED window. STED Menu BarThe STED features a menu bar with four options: File, Edit, Options, and Help. File MenuThe STED File menu enables you to export and import parameter data and to quit the STED window. Export (alt e)The Export command opens a standard Chalice "Save To" dialog box that allows you to save current data for all parameters in the Channel Name list. By default, the Save To dialog displays the name "untitled.ch" in the File field. You can remove the ".ch" extension when you rename the file and Chalice will still be able to load the data, but it is recommended that you use this extension to easily identify the file type. You can save this data in any directory. You can use the Export command to save changes to parameters for which a file has already been created. Each time you perform an export operation, the information is displayed in the feedback area at the top of the STED window. Export Active Channel ...Export Active Channel performs the same function as Export, but only those parameters in the Channel Name list that have not been grayed out will be exported. This option allows you to quickly deselect parameters that you do not want to export, or do not want to export to the same file. Export Raw (alt w)This option is the same as Export, except that instead of exporting the functions which make up the curve for each channel, the actual values at each frame are written out. These values are written out as ASCII text, which can be read by any standard text editor or passed to other programs. The file contains a line for each frame that is in the selected range, and on each line is a tab-separated value for each channel that was exported. Export Active Raw (alt W)This option is the same as Export Raw, except that only those channels which are active in the Channel Name list are exported. Import (alt i)Use the Import command to apply data (function or raw) from an external file to the parameters in the Channel Name list. When you execute the Import command, Chalice displays a standard "Load from" panel that enables you to select a file. If the data is raw, then the active channels (that is, the channels the data is being imported into) are converted to raw(), and values are inserted for each frame that is active. The number of channels in the file does not have to match the number of active channels, and the number of frames in the file does not have to match the active frame range. In such a case, Chalice will act as follows, notifying the user in each case:
Quit STED (alt q)The Quit STED command closes the STED window and quits the Space-Time Editor. Edit MenuThe STED Edit menu includes the Undo and Tie/Untie commands, which are described in the section on the Control Palette, as well as commands for copying channel values and pasting them to another channel and for deleting selected channel segments: Copy Channel (alt c)The Copy Channel command copies the selected channel. The Copy Channel command is only available when a single channel in the STED is selected. If the STED contains other active channels, deselect them by clicking on the associated channel name in the list. Deselected channels will be grayed out. Paste Channel (alt v)The Paste Channel command replaces the values of the selected channel with the channel values that you last copied using the Copy Channel command (see above). Only one channel in the STED can be available to use the Paste Channel command (any other channels in the list must be deactivated; that is, grayed out). Delete Selected (del )The Delete Selected command deletes selected segments in the graph. Alternatively, you can press the Delete key on your keyboard. Options MenuThe STED Options menu allows you to control various display options in the STED window. This menu is an alternate means of accessing the same options available using the Control Palette. For more information, see the description of the Control Palette earlier in this section, where these options are listed and defined. The one exception is Long Label Names: Long Label NamesThis option, which is active by default, displays both the channel name and the node name, in the form "node/channel" (e.g., "blur1/blur"). Turn Long Label Names off to display only the channel names (e.g., "blur"). Help MenuThe STED Help menu contains two items: General (alt h)The General command opens the Chalice Online Help System to this chapter. Version (alt V)The Version command displays the current version number of the Space-Time Editor in the feedback area at the top of the STED window. |