Show Overlays

Color Coded Keyframe Curves are a big feature in the Show Overlays window because by changing the colors to suit the user, it helps to remove confusion from multiple curves on the track canvas. They can be viewed from the pulldown menu of Window → Show overlays but they will operate the same as when used from the View pulldown menu. The Color Coded Keyframe Curves have distinct colors associated with each type for ease of identification. By clicking LMB on the Color Ball to the right of any keyframe type in the Show overlays menu you have the ability to change the colors to whatever works best for your video. The color ball changes made will be retained across sessions.

There is a line separating the first 4 items, which are just non-automation type settable values as opposed to auto keyframe types. The color is not changeable for the 4 items of Mode, Pan, Mask, and Hard edges which simply display their symbol icon.

Figure 2.38 displays the Show overlays popup with all of its options and color coded types such as yellow for Speed and blue for Camera Z. Upon clicking on the associated color ball to the right of any keyframe type, for example Fade in this screenshot, the color wheel palette window pops up so that you can manipulate the color as desired.

Figure 2.38: Show Overlays window on the left with the Color ball window to the right to set color

Figure 2.39 shows several color coded lines for different keyframes along with the Fade slider for manipulation. The slider is in the same color as the color coded keyframe type line which is the same color as in the Show overlays window.

Figure 2.39: Lines are colored here on the timeline as designated in Show Overlays

Overlays Window Nuances:

The Overlays window is an alternative to the main track canvas View pulldown, and thus the order is mostly maintained to match each other. To make it easier to get a quick temporary look at a specific option, there is a shortcut of Shift-LMB (left mouse button) that can be used as opposed to having to uncheck everything that is currently checked and then having to recheck them on when done. Here is a list of how they work. Keep in mind that if the Expander on the patchbay is enabled, you still see the track.

• Shift+LMB (left mouse button) in the Overlays Window on a checkbox will turn off all other checkboxes except for the one you are on. Then this named box will have outline for a hot spot.
• Shift+LMB on this hot spot will return to cool of the previous settings with all of the previous checkboxes checked again.

Figure 2.40: Original Settings — cool spot

Figure 2.41: Note Titles box hot spot

Figure 2.42: Cam/Proj XYZ toggle to fine tune

• Shift+LMB on a non-hot spot will simply check or uncheck a box and there is no previous state.
• This all works in conjunction with the View pulldown menu which, of course, has no hot spots.
• Caveat #1 - Shift+LMB on the top 4 choices of Assets, Titles, Transitions, Plugin Keyframes will turn off all of the checkboxes below because it makes sense to do so.
• Caveat #2 - Shift+LMB on the Autos will not turn off Assets, Titles, Transitions, or Plugin Keyframes because you need to be able to see what is going on.
• Caveat #3 - XYZ toggle on/off of Camera and Projector are not affected.