Preview Programming

The Preview Programming tool is a powerful enhancement to the Timeline, designed to improve your workflow and flexibility in programming.

Located at the top of the transport tools, just above the Timeline Clock, this feature enables you to view and edit a different section of the Timeline (or a different Timeline sequence), while the current output display remains unchanged.

This is particularly beneficial in multi-user scenarios, as it allows multiple users to edit different time points simultaneously without the need to resynchronize other control stations.

You can now efficiently refine and program your timeline without interrupting the ongoing output, streamlining the creative and technical process.

By activating the {Preview Programming} toggle, the playhead will turn green. This green playhead indicates that you can view the content in the Preview Window of your controller, while the displays continue to show the output content. This feature allows you to navigate, edit, keyframe, and modify any aspect of your show while it is running.

When you deactivate the {Preview Programming} toggle, the playhead will turn red again and return to the current position in your show. This action automatically resynchronizes your controller with the displays. There is no need to push any changes to the display or perform any additional actions—all systems are synchronized across the network at all times.

Key Features

Status Indicator

When the Preview Programming tool is enabled, the Timeline Clock and the playhead will turn green, providing a visual indication that the feature is active.

Edit While Running

Make changes to the timeline, such as exchanging or adding content, creating animations, and setting keyframes, even during a live show.

Preview Changes

View your modifications in the Preview Window to ensure accuracy before applying them to the outputs.

Quick Mode Switching

Easily switch between timeline modes by pressing [Y] on the keyboard. This will toggle between Always Follow, Comfort Check, and Preview Programming modes.

Requirements

Multi-Machine Setup

This feature is only supported in a multi-machine environment. A minimum of two networked servers is required for it to function (either a controller and display master or two display masters), as the Master Clock will temporarily switch from the main controller to the other system while the feature is enabled.

Timecode and Master Clock Behavior with Preview Programming

If you have two controllers (one main and one backup), the Master Clock (represented by the “M” in the Network Monitor Connections column) will temporarily switch to the second controller while the Preview Programming option is enabled.

If Timecode is being used and the timecode source is linked to both controllers, the display will remain synchronized to the timecode, as it will receive its sync from the second controller. However, if only one controller is being used with Timecode, the display will not be able to latch onto the timecode, as the Master Clock is temporarily not present on the single controller while the option is enabled.

When the option is disabled, the playhead will switch back to red, automatically jumping its time to the current timecode of the Master Clock. The Master Clock priority will also be regained if you are using the main controller (assigned automatically to the lowest IP address).

Managing Cue Triggers with Preview Programming Playhead

The user should be aware that cue clips located on the timeline will still be triggered by the Preview Programming playhead, so navigation must be carefully managed. For example, projector shutter cues placed on the timeline will be triggered if the Preview Programming playhead reaches the clip.