User Manual

Clip vs. Timeline Grading
Ordinarily, the Node Editor has two modes. The default Clip mode lets you create individual
grades for each clip or group in the Timeline. However, the Timeline grade mode lets you apply
a single grade simultaneously to every clip in the Timeline, as seen in the Thumbnail timeline in
the following screenshot.
A paragon of sophisticated grading, the author applies a red edge vignette to every clip in the project
simultaneously using the Timeline grade
There are a variety of reasons you might want to do this. For example, if you’re working on a
commercial spot, you might elect to use Clip grades to do general correcting and scene-to-
scene balancing, and then use the Timeline grade to apply a single stylistic grade to the entire
spot simultaneously. That way, any changes the client wants made to the style of the grade can
be instantly applied to the whole spot.
Another example would be using the Timeline grade to apply corrections meant to address
QC issues running throughout a program, desaturating highlights or selectively darkening a
specific shade of red wherever it appears.
To switch between Clip and Timeline grading modes:
Choose the mode from the drop-down menu at the top right of the Node Editor.
Selecting Track mode in the Node Editor
Click the dot in the Node Editor toolbar that corresponds to the Clip or Timeline mode
Two dots show whether you’re in Clip or
Timeline mode; these can be clicked to switch
NOTE: When you reset the Timeline grade using the Color > Reset All Grades and
Nodes command, the Output Sizing parameters are reset as well.
Two dots at the top of the Node Editor let you switch between Clip and Timeline modes via a
single click. If you’re working on a clip that’s part of a group, four dots will be displayed to allow
fast access to the Pre-Clip and Post-Clip Group modes as well. For more information about
group grading, see Chapter 123, “Grade Management.”
Chapter – 124 Node EditingBasics 2841