Specifications

Pro Tools Reference Guide466
Free Hand Draws freely according to the move-
ment of the mouse. In audio tracks, the shape
has the number of breakpoints needed to
smoothly interpolate and reproduce the auto-
mation shape. In MIDI tracks, the shape is re-
produced as a series of steps, according to the
resolution setting in the MIDI preferences (Set-
ups > Preferences > MIDI).
Line Draws a straight line. In audio tracks, the
line has a single breakpoint at either end. In
MIDI tracks, the controller value changes in
steps according to the resolution setting in the
MIDI preferences (Setups > Preferences > MIDI).
Triangle Draws a sawtooth pattern that repeats
at a rate based on the current Grid value. In au-
dio tracks, the pattern has a single breakpoint at
each extreme. In MIDI tracks, the controller
value changes in steps according to the resolu-
tion setting in the MIDI preferences. Amplitude
is controlled by vertical movement of the Pencil
tool.
Square Draws a square pattern that repeats at a
rate based on the current Grid value. Amplitude
is controlled by vertical movement of the Pencil
tool.
Random Draws a random pattern of levels that
change at a rate based on the current Grid value.
Amplitude is controlled by vertical movement
of the Pencil tool.
Using Pencil Tool Shapes
You can draw automation for audio as well as
MIDI tracks. For example, use the Triangle pat-
tern to control continuous functions, or the
Square pattern to control switched functions
such as Mute or Bypass.
Since the pencil draws these shapes using the
current Grid value, you can use it to perform
panning in tempo with a music track, or on
frame scene changes when working in post pro-
duction.
Resolution of MIDI Controller Data
When using the Pencil tool to draw MIDI auto-
mation, the data is drawn as a series of discrete
steps. You can control the resolution (or den-
sity) of these steps to help manage the amount
of MIDI data sent for a given MIDI controller
move.
To set the resolution for the Pencil tool:
1 Choose Setups > Preferences and click the
MIDI tab.
2 Enter a value for “Pencil Tool Resolution
When Drawing Controller Data.” The value can
range from 1 to 100 milliseconds.
The illustrations below show the same MIDI
controller automation drawn with different
Pencil Tools resolution settings.
For more information on MIDI continuous
controller data, see “Continuous Controller
Events” on page 364.
MIDI Data drawn with resolution of 10 ms
MIDI Data drawn with resolution of 100 ms