PV4 Documentation
PV4 Documentation
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Template Editor

Overview

The Template Editor in PLAY is where templates are constructed and refined. It provides tools for defining object attributes, creating keyframes, and managing content flexibility. This editor ensures templates are reusable, adaptable, and optimized for playback across different surfaces.


The Template Editor is designed to directly integrate with the RADAR module for data integration content definition.

Object Attributes

Each object type in a template has attributes that define its state. Attributes fall into two categories:

Global Attributes

Set once for the object and remain fixed.

Example: Font for a text object—defined at initialization and unchanged unless a new object is created.

Keyframe Attributes

Can be altered across keyframes to create animations or transitions.

Example: Position, opacity, scale.

Object Relations

Objects can be related to one another by dragging one object in the Layers panel onto another. This nests the dragged object underneath the target object in the Layers list and creates a relation between them, rather than adding a distinct "Relational" object type.

Keyframes and Transitions

A keyframe marks a point in the timeline where object attributes are defined. The renderer transitions attributes between keyframes based on:

  • Timeline Position: Determines when changes occur.

  • Transition Type: Controls how changes happen (e.g., Linear, None).

  • Duration: Calculated from the time between keyframes.

Examples:

  • Fade-In Animation

    • Keyframe 1: Opacity = 0% at 0s

    • Keyframe 2: Opacity = 100% at 2s, Transition = Linear

    • Result: Object fades in over 2 seconds.

  • Snap Movement

    • Keyframe 1: Position X = 0 at 0s

    • Keyframe 2: Position X = 100 at 1s, Transition = None

    • Result: Object jumps to new position after 1 second.

Note: Some attributes cannot be transitioned and will snap between values.

Content Flexibility

Templates can:

  • Define a single Content Asset at the template level for fixed elements.

  • Select a Content Folder and use variables at playback for dynamic content.

  • Assign the object to be Exposed to Cue, allowing many cues to use 1 template with variations programmed at the cue level.

Example:
A Main Screen Fullscreen Video template defines playback behavior (fade-in, audio levels, timing) but leaves the video file undefined so multiple cues can reuse the same template with different content.

Exposed vs. Locked Objects

  • Exposed Objects: Attributes can be modified at the cue level.

  • Locked Objects: Attributes remain fixed and cannot be changed outside the template.

Variables

Templates can expose values that are filled in from outside the Template Editor. PLAY distinguishes between three kinds of variable, based on where the value is set:

  • Template Variables: Created and set within the Template Editor.

  • Session Variables: Set in the Controller's session settings, and passed up into the template via Handlebars.

  • Operator Variables: Set live in the Controller by an operator when they trigger a cue.

Where to go next

Reference:

How-to guides: