Contents
Preface
About Toxik
About This Guide
Getting Started
Reference
Getting Help
Viewing Online Help
Contacting Support
Copyright Notice
Copyright Notice
Getting Started
About Getting Started
About The Chapters
Interface Fundamentals
Start Compositing Now!
A Simple Workflow Overview
Interface Fundamentals
Basic Interface Functions
Mouse, Pen, Keyboard
Cutting, Copying and Pasting
Entering Text
Dragging and Dropping
Undoing and Redoing
Deleting Elements and Compositions
The Gate UI
The Drop Gate
The Toxik Interface
The Menu Bar
Viewports and Views
Viewport
Views
The Tool UI
Node-Independent Tabs
Node-Specific Tabs
Taskbar
Tools, Views & Pick
List tabs
The Player
Using the Player Controls
Zooming and Panning
Navigating and Browsing
Customizing the File Browser
The File Browser
Browser Settings and Controls
The View Button
The Bookmarks Button
Floating File Browser
The Composition Browser
Composition Browser Functionality
Working with Schematic
Node Overview
Node Types
Node Anatomy
Output Nodes
Multiple Output Nodes
Primary Output
Adding Output Nodes
Deleting Output Nodes
Node Connections
Node Options
Selecting Nodes Upstream
and Downstream
Cycling Through Inputs
and Outputs
Schematic Options
Start Compositing Now!
Try First, Read Later
Start Toxik, Create Composition, Import
Media and Go
Add Media
Add Tools
To Render the Composition
Reference
About Reference
About the Chapters
Projects
About Projects
Project
Example Workflows
Setting Project Preferences
Archiving or Restoring
Archiving Linked Compositions
Restoring Archives
Relocating Dependencies
Changing Default Archive
and Restore Settings
Wiretap
Accessing the IFFFS Libraries
on the Network Using Wiretap
Wiretap Concepts
Accessing Media Via Wiretap
Accessing IFFFS Clips
Importing Media
About Media
Physical Location of Media
Supported Media Formats
Pixel Aspect Ratio
Mixed Resolutions
Importing Media
The Information Tab
Using the Image Import
Tool
Log to Lin Workflows
Import and Export Workflows
Moving Imported Compositions
into Project Folders
Image and File I/O
Channel Assignments
Channel Groups (Import
Preferences)
Unpremultiply in Import
Mode
Specifying the Destination
Format
Using the Gate UI to Create
Footage
Footage Role
Footage Composition
Getting Familiar with Your
Workspace
Working with a Task-Based
UI
What are Presets?
Pick List
Working with the Pick List
Tool Presets
Working with Tool Presets
Using Tool Presets as a
Display Modifier
Using Tool Presets in the
Pick List
Animation Editor
Setting the Animation Editor
Options
Layer Editor
Working with the Layer
Editor
Player
View Layouts
Color Picker
Working with the Color
Picker
Calculators
Hotkey Editor
Hotkey Catalogs
Hotkey Editor
Setting User Preferences
Previewing Video
Setting Up Video Previewing
Previewing Video
Creating User Defined Attributes
Composition (Version) UDAs
Project UDAs
User UDAs
Scoped UDAs
Creating UDAs
Displaying a UDA
Using a UDA
XML Resource Files
Default UDA Tag
Read-Only UDA Tag
Other Workspace Functions
Toxik Hotkeys
The Player
About the Player
Player View Default Settings
Setting the Target
Setting Context Points
Playing Back in Multiple
Views
Playback Performance
Setting the Target for
the Player
Setting the Channels for
the Target
Setting the Mark In and
Mark Out Points for Playback
Setting the Repeat Mode
Setting the Frame Rate
for Playback
Setting the Real-Time Playback Preference
Synchronizing or Separating Playback
between Views
Setting the Playback Point
when the Player Updates
Setting the Resolution
for a Player
Setting the Grid in the
Player
Setting a Region of Interest
(ROI) in the Player
Displaying Masks and Guides
Showing or Hiding Tiles
Turning Hardware Rendering
On or Off
Setting the Pixel Aspect
Ratio of the Player
Displaying Player Option Information
in the Player view
Displaying Manipulators
in the Player
In-player
Pixel Display
Adjusting the Zoom or Pan
Applying a LUT or Color Conversion
Tool to the Player
The Mini-Player
Using the Mini-Player
The Fullscreen Player
Fullscreen Player and the
Gate UI
Player Controls in the
Fullscreen Player
Using the Fullscreen Player
Working with Compositions
Creating Compositions
What's in a Composition
File?
Creating a New Composition
Opening and Viewing Versions
Saving Compositions
Inserting a Composition
Linking a Version
Checking the Status of
Compositions
Publishing a Composition
Creating Intermediate Results
Creating Versions of a
Composition
Changing the Publish Preferences
Publishing Results Over
a Network
Publishing to Wiretap
Viewing Published Versions
of a Composition
Rendering a Composition
The Render Modes
Linking Compositions
Determining the Status
of a Linked Composition
Closing a Composition
Multilayer Compositing
and 3D Effects
Reaction Compositing and Effects
What is a Reaction Super
Tool?
Reaction Concepts
Compositing Workflow
Basic and Advanced Workflows
Basic Compositing in Reaction
Building a Composition
Using the Layer Editor
Setting the Player Settings
Adding a Reaction Tool
and Setting the Composition Background
Setting the Background
Creating Sources and Layers
Working with Maya Pre-Comps
Working with Layers
Renaming Sources and Layers
Selecting Layers
Duplicating Layers
Reordering Layers
Modifying Motion Blur on
Individual Layers
Setting Layer Visibility Properties
Working with Geometric Surfaces
Modifying Surface Shape
and Geometry
Using Parenting Axes
Working with Materials
About Materials, Shaders,
and Textures
Setting Material Properties
Materials UI
Using the Shadow Matte
Shader
Working with Lights
Adding Lights to a Scene
Choosing the Type of Light
Setting Basic Lighting Properties
Setting Shadow Properties
Determining How a Light
Affects Shading
Adding a Projector Texture
to a Light
Working with Cameras
Adding a Camera to Your
Scene
Setting Camera Properties
Accessing Cameras and Camera Views
Transforming Cameras
Modifying Motion Blur for
the Render Camera(s)
Resetting the Camera
Camera Mapping
3D Displacement
Transforming Objects
Reaction Rendering Effects
and Output Results
Setting the Reaction Composition Format
Setting Rendering Options
Adding Motion Blur and
Depth of Field to a Scene
Enabling Z-Buffer Effects
in Your Scene
Setting up a Stereo Camera
Rig
Pre-Compositing
About Pre-Compositing
Pre-Compositing Import
The Pre-Compositing Import Options
About Anchors
Pre-Compositing Anchors
Using Pre-Compositing Templates
Template Types
Creating a Pre-Compositing Template
Pre-Comp File Creation
and Updates
Non-Destructive Updates
Frame Rates
Render Pass Compositions
Render Layer Compositions
Scene Compositions
Working with Stereoscopic Compositions
Merging Layers
Importing Maya 2008 Render Layers
Maya/Toxik 3D Interop
Importing Maya Files
Before Importing a Maya
File...
Maya/Toxik Interoperability
and 3D Limitations
Transformation Attributes
Locator
Camera
Camera Image Plane
Current Limitations
2D Compositing
About 2D Compositing
2D Compositor
Adjusting the Matte's Luminance
Curves
Alpha Tools
Alpha Levels
Blend Alpha
Blur Alpha
Clamp Alpha
Cleanup Alpha
Comp Alpha Tool
Control Edge
Detect Edge
Drop Alpha
Edge Tool
Extract Alpha
Fade Tool
Invert Alpha
Median Alpha
Remap Alpha
Channel Processing Tools
Channel Extract Tool
Out of Range Tool
Channel Replace Tool
Channel Rewire Tool
Set Alpha Tool
Composition Tools
Blend
Blend & Comp
Blend Matte
Comp Ops
Math Ops
Multi-stream Compositing
Performing Multi-stream
Processing
Stereo Viewing
Supported Stereo Output
Graphics Hardware
Supported Technologies
Image Processing Tools
About Image Processing
Tools
Filtering Tools
Remove Dust Tool
About Blurs
Lens Blur Tool
Median Tool
Sharpen Tool
Unsharp Mask
Formatting Tools
Convert Depth Tool
Crop Tool
Premultiply Tool
Unpremultiply Tool
Resize Tool
Image Generation Tools
Setting Image Generation
Properties and Formats
Bilinear Ramp Tool
Checkerboard Tool
Color Source Tool
Linear Ramp Tool
Radial Ramp Tool
Noise Tool
Slate Tool
Transform Tools
2D Transform Tool
Flip Tool
Orient Tool
Panner Tool
Pixel Expressions
About Pixel Expressions
PXL Tool
PXL Tool Inputs and Outputs
PXL Tool UI
Output Tab
Masking Tab
Sharing PXL Tools
PXL Presets
PXL, the Pixel eXpression
Language
CTL Tool
Accelerating CTL Transforms
Warping
About Warping
Warp 2D
Warping Workflow
Warp 2D UI
Curve Correspondence
Output Tab
Options Tab
Morphing Between Two Images
2D Transforms
Cropping and Filtering
the Output
Warping Tools
Crumple
Displace
Lens Distort
Magnify
Mirror Tool
Pinch Tool
Polar Tool
Ripple Tool
Twirl Tool
Wave Tool
Effects Tools
About Effects Tools
Drop Shadow
Glow
Customization Tools
The Macro Super Tool
Managing Film Grain
About Managing Grain
Adding Grain to a Composition
Removing Grain from a Composition
Fine-tuning the Grain
Viewing the Response Curves
Saving and Loading Grain
Profiles
Pulling Keys and Creating
Mattes
Keying Concepts
Keying
Mattes
Color Models
Hue
Saturation
Chrominance
Luminance
Sharpness
Softness
Tolerance or Threshold
Computer Generated Imagery
Keying Workflow
Selecting Keying Tools
Removing Color Spill with
Color Curves
Shifting the Hue of a Color
Range to a Sampled Hue Shift Target
Suppressing a Sampled Color
Modifying the R, G, B,
Saturation, and Luma
Modifying Luma
Extracting a Key Using
the Diamond Keyer
The Diamond Keyer
Creating a Difference Matte
Using the Difference Tool
Extracting a Key Using
the Luma Keyer
Keyer Super Tool
About the Keyer Super Tool
Supported Features
Inputs and Outputs
Workflow
Keyer Supertool UI
Node Select
Generating a Matte with
the Master Keyer
Removing Unwanted Grays
Using Patches
Degraining the Key In Image
Suppressing Spill
Modifying Blend
Masking
About Masking
Masking Concepts
Garbage Mask Tool Tabs
Garbage Mask Controls
Creating Masks
Editing Masks
Transforming Masks
Creating and Editing Edges
User Settings
Example: User Settings
Workflow
Output Tab Settings
Options Tab Settings
Pixel Masking
Masking Parameters
Pixel Masking Example
Raster Paint
About Raster Paint
Committing and Undoing
Operations
Paint UI
Layer Editor
Paint Brush Controls and
Attributes
Paint Stroke Controls
Working with Layers
Raster Layer Format
Adding, Deleting, Clearing,
and Wiping Layers
Adding a Layer
Deleting Layers
Clearing a Layer
Wiping Layers
Layer Behavior
Stroke Operations
Paint
Drawing
a Straight Line
Painting the Alpha
Revealing Parts of an Image
Cloning a Region of an
Image
Erasing Paint Strokes
Using Stencils
Color Correction
About Color Correcting
Applying LUTs
Calibrating your Monitor
Working with 1D LUTs
Working with the Lustre
Color 3D LUTs
Working with ASC CDLs
Broadcast Safe Tool
About Broadcast Safe Colors
Broadcast Safe Color Controls
Transforming Color Space
with the Log and Delog Tools
Modifying Negative Film
Gamma, Cineon Reference, or Linear Reference Levels
Color Correcting with CC
Basics
Determining the Sequence
of Corrections
Color Correcting Shadows,
Midtones, and Highlights
Rewiring Controls
The Color Wheel
Setting Hue Shift
Setting Saturation
Setting Contrast
Color Balancing with Hue
and Gain
Quick Gain
Setting the Gamma
Setting the Gain and Offset
Suppressing Colors
Matching Colors
CC Histogram
CC Histogram Controls
Ranges Controls
Clamp Color Tool
Color Space Tool
Processing Images with
Photo Lab
Photo Lab Processing
Setting Exposure, Contrast,
Pivot Point, and Lift of an Image
Inverting an Image
Remap Color
Working with the Histogram
Working with Curves
Set Fill Color
Solarizing an Image
Creating a Monochrome Image
Modifying a Display With
the Pass Through Tool
Setting the Amount of Gray
in an Image
Converting an Image to
sRGB
Animation
Animation Concepts
Keyframe Animation
Keyframing and Interpolation
Setting Keyframes
The Animation Tab
Composition Browser
Animation Editor
Curves View
Tracks View
Animation Editor Feedback
The Animation Property
Area
Player Controls
Working with Cue Marks
Adding and Renaming Cue Marks
Contextual Menus
Navigating the Animation Editor
Local Controls
Selecting Keyframes
Setting Cue Marks
Setting Zoom and Pan
Keyframing Workflows
Marking Attributes for Keyframing
Setting Keys Manually
Example: Animating Using
the Tool UI
Example: Animating Using
the Composition Browser
Setting Keyframes Automatically
Editing Keyframes in the
Tool UI
Editing Keyframes in the
Animation Editor
Adding and Deleting Keyframes
Precision Keyframe Editing
Modifying Interpolation
Modifying Extrapolation
Temporarily Modifying Attribute Values
Customizing the Layout
when Working with Animation Curves
Global Time vs. Local Time
Time Offsets, Keyframing,
and Instancing
Time Tools
Retiming Footage with the
Retimer Tool
About Timing Curves
Converting the Frame Rate
Offsetting Time
Vectors
About Motion Vectors
Importing 2D Motion Vectors
Computing Motion Vectors
within a Composition
Show Vectors
Expressions
About Expressions
What attributes can expressions
refer to?
Short Expressions
Expression Input Paths
Visual Linking
Visual Linking Methods
Visual Linking in the Tool
UI
Visual Linking in the Composition
Browser
Visual Linking between
the Composition Browser and the Tool UI
Navigating the Expression
String
Validating and Applying
the Expression String
Viewing the Expression
Associating Comments with
an Expression
Editing an Expression
Removing an Expression
Setting Expressions Examples
Example: Using Linked Attributes
to Drive Animation
Example: Using Functions
to Drive Animation
Example: Animating Layers
in Reaction
Expression Reference Tables
Arithmetic Operators
Comparison Operators
Operator Precedence
Math
Functions
Vector
Functions
Random Number Functions
Rounding
Functions
Trigonometric
Functions
Constants
Time
Functions
Profile
Functions
Conditional
Functions
Tracking and Stabilizing
About Tracking and Stabilizing
Tracking Concepts
Stabilizing Concepts
Tracker UI
Tracking Workflow
Adding a Tracker Tool to
the Dependency Graph
Choosing a Reference Point
Positioning the Reference
Box
Resizing the Reference
and Tracker Boxes
Resetting the Reference
Box
Resetting the Tracker Box
Changing the Color of a
Tracker
How the Tracker Works
Tracking Position
Tracking the Scale of an
Object
Tracking the Rotation of
an Object
4-Point Tracking
Tracking Difficult Shots
Positioning the Tracker
Box Manually
Tweaking the Tolerance
Value
Correcting Errors
Updating the Reference
Point
Resetting the Tracker
Adjusting the Tracker Box
Stabilizing
How the Stabilizer Works
1-point Stabilizing
2-point Stabilizing
Simultaneous Stabilizing
and Tracking
Video Tools
About Video Tools
Deinterlace
Determining Field Dominance
Field Selection
Adjusting the Adaptive
Threshold
Setting Spatial Interpolation
Setting Temporal Interpolation
Interlace
Pulldown
PAL Cadences
Autodetecting the Cadence
Utilities
About Utilities
Comparison Tool
Enabling the Comparison
tool
Selecting the Primary and
Reference Inputs
Comparison Tool Controls
Notes Tool
Pass Through Tool
Switcher Tool
Hotkeys
Hotkeys
Windows and Linux
Login Screen
General
Exit
Context Menus
Select, Edit, Undo/Redo
User Interface Elements
Menubar and Taskbar
Layout Presets
Cursor
Tabs and Controls
Text Editor and Text Fields
Numeric Fields (Value Editors)
Pop-up Dialogs
Browsers
Floating Browsers
Composition Hotkeys
Gate UI
Calculator
Color Picker
Views
Animation Editor
Player
Separators
Schematic
Tools
Garbage Mask (also applies
to Remove Dust and Warp 2D tools)
Keyer
Master Keyer
Paint
Spill & Blend
Reaction
Resize
Retimer
Tracker
Warping Tools
Comparison
Mac OS
Login Screen
General
Exit
Context Menus
Select, Edit, Undo/Redo
User Interface Elements
Menubar and Taskbar
Layout Presets
Cursor
Tabs and Controls
Text Editor and Text Fields
Numeric Fields (Value Editors)
Pop-up Dialogs
Browsers
Floating Browsers
Composition Hotkeys
Gate UI
Calculator
Color Picker
Views
Animation Editor
Player
Separators
Schematic
Tools
Garbage Mask (also applies
to Remove Dust and Warp 2D tools)
Keyer
Master Keyer
Paint
Spill & Blend
Reaction
Resize
Retimer
Tracker
Warping Tools
Comparison
Toxik Executables
Setting the Toxik Environment
in a Shell
toxik Executable
txcheck Executable
txperf Executable
Disk IO
File System
Content Server
Memory
txversion Executable
Python Scripting
About Python Scripting
How to Run a Toxik Python Script
Setting Up the Environment
Embedded
Externally
Manual Setup
Automatic Setup
Running the Script
Embedded
Externally
Scripted Actions
Viewing Output and Error Messages
Initialization Variables
and String Substitutions
Initialization Variables
String Substitutions
Glossary
List of Terms