In a Console window, Quartz Compositions are arranged to be mixed and displayed.
These are called [Layers].
Layers are mixed (or layered) from left to right.
(order is significant in some cases)
A Console window is shown only when corresponding Monitor window is front most.
Material files, such as still image or QuickTime movie, can be used too.
(material files are loaded indirectly via a Quartz Composition [Image Input], which simply load image files)
Adding a Layer
Select a Quartz Composition provided by system and SynVisum, from [Edit] menu.
They are categorized for purpose or usage.
Other compositions created with Quartz Composer, or material files (still image and QuickTime movie) are added by [Load Composition…] menu command.
Also, they can be drag/drop onto a Console window directly.
Selecting Multiple Layers
To select multiple layers, click any space in a layer.
Clicking a layer while holding down [shift] key makes contiguous block.
Clicking a layer while holding down [Ctrl] key (Windows) / [command] key (Mac) select or unselect each layer independently.
In other cases, new selection is made.
Arranging Layers
To change order of layers, click any space in layers and drag/drop them.
To duplicate layers, move layers while holding down [option] key.
Deleting Layers
To delete layers, select layers then select [Delete] from [Edit] menu.
Layer Settings (from top to bottom in Console window)
Layer Monitor
Displays output image of each layer just before to be mixed.
(It updates infrequently to reduce CPU usage)
Blending Function
Specify how to blend each layer.
Max
Use greater value of each pixel/color component.
Each layer will be displayed moderately.
Add
Add values of each pixel/color component.
Brighten, finally white out.
Sub
Subtract values of each pixel/color component.
Darken, finally black out.
Over
Blend color components using opacity of each pixel.
At maximum mix ratio, opaque portion replaces left side (underneath) compositions completely.
(Useful for overwriting with Letter Image.
If entire image is opaque, layers in left side are practically unused)
Mix Fader
Adjust mix amount for each layer.
It also can be controlled by external DMX or MIDI .
Setting a fader at minimum reduces processor usage, because such layer is not processed.
Once a fader is set to minimum, then it is raised, the layer will act as if a scene is triggered.
For instance, a movie file can be started from specific point (see below).
[Blending Function] and [Mix Fader] can be changed for multiple selected layers simultaneously.
Layer Filter
Filter type compositions can be applied to each layer.
Clicking [Layer Montor], a menu will appear.
At the bottom of a layer composition, a horizontal line, that corresponds to its output, is shown.
Filters of a layer are placed below that line.
Any number of filters are applied in order from top to bottom.
([Filter] is a composition which provide both image input and output.
It is also possible to use non-filter type arbitrary compositions)
In the figure above, a layer using a [Space Flight] composition has a filter composition [Tile].
Deleting a Filter
Select a filter clicking any space, then select a menu command [Delete] from [Edit] menu.
Arranging Filters
To change order of filters, drag/drop it.
To duplicate a filter, drag/drop it while holding down [option］key.
Bypassing Filter
To switch use/bypass a filter, click left side space of filter name (although somewhat small area).
While a filter is bypassed, its name is shown in grayed italic.
Like other parameters, this setting is recorded in each scene.
Conversion Between Filter and Layer Composition
To convert a composition used as a filter into layer, and vice versa, drag/drop it.
To duplicate a composition, drag/drop it while holding down [option］key.
Console Monitor
Final output image can be monitored at bottom-right of Console.
(It updates infrequently to reduce CPU usage)
