Rendering > 
RAM Player
 
 
 
Command entry:Rendering menu RAM Player

The RAM Player loads a frame sequence into RAM and plays it back at selected frame rates. The RAM Player has two channels: A and B. You can load two different images or sequences into the channels to display or play back together, making it easy to compare them.

You set the position of a divider between the two channels, shown as triangles at opposite edges of the image, by dragging in the channel display window. To scrub the animation, drag with the right mouse button held down: rightward to advance and leftward to rewind.

For best RAM Player performance, disable Preferences Gamma/LUT correction.

Interface

Channel A/B

Open Channel

Displays an Open File dialog that lets you choose a file to load into the channel. After you have selected a file, the RAM Player Configuration dialog opens; it allows you to set height, width, and memory usage for that channel.

Open Last Rendered Image

Loads the last rendered image into the channel. Nothing is displayed if there is no last rendered image available.

Close Channel

Unloads the image in the channel and frees up your memory.

Save Channel

Opens a Save File dialog that lets you save the animation or image from the respective channel. You can save the animation as an AVI file or a sequence of numbered images.

NoteThe RAM Player converts everything it loads into 24-bit RGB, which means that some information might be lost when it is loaded. This may affect a file saved in the RAM Player.
Channel A

When on, shows the file loaded into channel A. When both channels are enabled, split screen markers appear as two triangles. These markers indicate where channel A ends and channel B begins. You can move the divider with the left mouse button.

Channel B

When on, shows the file loaded into channel B. When both channels are enabled, split screen markers appear as two triangles. These markers indicate where channel A ends and channel B begins. You can move the divider with the left mouse button.

Horizontal/Vertical Split Screen

Toggles between the view of the two channels side-by-side or one on top of the other.

Frame Controls

First Frame

Returns the RAM Player to the first frame of the animation.

Previous Frame

Goes to the previous frame in the animation. If the RAM Player is at the first frame, Previous Frame goes to the last frame.

Playback Reverse

Plays the frames in the animation in reverse order. The flyout contains an option to play the animation once in reverse and then stop.

Playback Forward

Plays the frames in the animation in rendered order. The flyout contains an option to play the animation once and then stop.

Next Frame

Advances to the next frame in the animation. If the RAM Player is at the last frame, Previous Frame goes to the first frame.

Last Frame

Goes to the last frame of the animation.

Frame Rate Control

Sets the desired frame rate in frames per second. When playing back a movie, you see the frame rate displayed in the title bar of the RAM Player. You can select a predefined frame rate or type in your own frame rate value.

Color Selector

Ctrl+right-clicking the mouse in the display window displays the color of the pixel in the color selector swatch. Stop the animation to get a consistent pixel reading. The RGB values of the pixel display in the title bar of the RAM player.

Double Buffer

When on, ensures that the two frames in channels A and B are synchronized. Enabling this feature can slow down the playback frame rate.

RAM Player Keyboard Shortcuts

The following keyboard shortcuts are available for the RAM Player.

RAM Player Function Keyboard Shortcut
Go To Start Frame Home
Go To End Frame End
Go To Previous Frame Left Arrow
Go To Next Frame Right Arrow
Playback Reverse Up Arrow
Playback Forward Down Arrow
Stop Playback Esc or Ctrl+C
Toggle Playback or Stop Spacebar
Toggle Channel A On/Off A
Toggle Channel B On/Off B
Open File in Channel A Ctrl+A
Open File in Channel B Ctrl+B
Open Last Rendered Image in Channel A Alt+A
Open Last Rendered Image in Channel B Alt+B
Scrub Animation Drag with right mouse button or with Ctrl+left mouse button.
  • RAM Player Configuration Dialog

    The RAM Player Configuration dialog contains controls for resolution, frames, memory usage, and alpha channel for playing back animations.