Video: Illumination Editor Basics

Core Concepts & Editor Logic

The Open Illuminations Standard (OIS) uses a specific logic to ensure visuals remain synchronized and responsive across all device sizes. Below are the fundamental rules of the system.

1. The "Always-On" Timeline

Unlike video editing software where clips have a start and end time, the Illumination standard uses Start-Only Keyframes.

• Persistence: Once an image appears, it remains visible until it is explicitly replaced by a new image.
• No "Off" State: There is no "stop" command. To fade to black, you must insert a black image file.

2. Responsive Coordinates (Focal Points)

The system does not store pixel coordinates (e.g., x: 500px). Instead, it uses Normalized Coordinates (0.0 to 1.0) based on the image's center point.

• Focal Point: When you pan an image, you are defining the "center of interest."
• Responsiveness: If the player window is resized (e.g., changing from Landscape to Portrait), the system automatically crops the edges of the image while keeping your defined Focal Point in the center of the screen.

3. Zoom Logic

Zoom is calculated relative to the screen size, not the image resolution.

• Scale 1.0 (Fit): The image is scaled to fit entirely within the screen boundaries.
• Scale >1.0 (Zoom): The image is zoomed in relative to the "Fit" size.

4. Animation vs. Hard Cuts

The editor visualizes the relationship between keyframes using color gradients on the timeline track.

• Linear Interpolation (Gradient): If two sequential keyframes use the same image file, the player automatically calculates a smooth linear animation (pan/zoom) between the two views.
• The "Hold" Rule: If an animation ends before the next image begins, the visual holds the final position statically until the next keyframe triggers.
• Hard Cut (Color Change): When a new image file is placed on the timeline, the transition is instantaneous. There are no cross-fades in the standard.

5. Editor Selection Modes

To prevent accidental overwrites, the Editor distinguishes between viewing and editing:

• Implicit Selection (Blue Pulse): Indicates the keyframe currently visible under the Playhead. Any changes made in "Zoom Mode" will update this keyframe.
• Explicit Selection (Yellow Highlight): Triggered by clicking a specific keyframe pin. This allows you to modify a keyframe's properties (position/scale) even if the Playhead is positioned elsewhere.

6. Text Carry-Over Syntax

To display text (captions or quotes), enter the string into the text field for a specific keyframe.

• The Period (.) Syntax: If you want the text from the previous keyframe to persist into the current keyframe, type a single period (.) into the text field. This avoids data duplication and keeps the manifest clean.