2017

Table Of Contents
Example 1: Comping with the Comp node.
1 On the timeline, add an Action Timeline FX to a gap on a track above another clip.
2 In the FX ribbon, make sure that the Comp node is enabled.
3 In the Action quick menu, disable Use Back.
TIP You can set the default behaviour of this button in PreferencesTimeline FX / CFXTimeline
Action.
4 Double-click the Action entry in the FX ribbon to enter the Action editor.
You can see that the lower clip from the timeline is the front/matte and background in Action.
5 In Action, add a 3D Text node, change and animate the text, as needed.
6 In the View box, select ContextPrimary Track to see your effect in the context of the timeline.
TIP You can also toggle the F4 keyboard shortcut between the Comp output and Matte output.
Notice that in the Action Output menu's Comp box for the Comp output, Use Colour is selected, since you
entered Action with Use Back disabled.
Since Action as a Timeline FX is limited to Comp and Matte outputs, in this case you are creating a fill and
alpha to then allow the Comp node to blend the Action result with the background. When you return to
the timeline, you can change any blending settings in the Comp node menu.
Example 2: Comping in Action.
1 On the timeline, add a green screen clip on a track above a moving background.
2 Add an Action Timeline FX to the green screen clip.
3 In the Action quick menu, enable Use Back, then enter the Action editor.
TIP You can set the default behaviour of this button in PreferencesTimeline FX / CFXTimeline
Action.
4 Use the Modular Keyer within Action to key the green screen footage onto the background.
5 Add lights, lens flares, and any other Action nodes, as needed.
Notice that in the Action Output menu's Comp box for the Comp output, Use Background is selected, since
you entered Action with Use Back enabled.
In this case, when you return to the timeline, you are sending the complete result, so there is no need to
use the Comp node at the timeline level.
Compositing in 3D Space on the Timeline Using Action | 387