Content Sequencing

In this section, we will cover all basic elements used in different sequencing methods.

Layers

In Disguise, you could place layers in the Timeline. In LightAct, Layers are placed in the Timeline tracks.

All layers in LightAct, including the stock layer templates we provide, are completely customizable. It is also possible for you to create your own layer templates.

Good to know: in LightAct, all layers are created with nodes, however this doesn't mean you need to actually use any of the nodes to use the layer. Instead, you can just modify layer variables to achieve what you want.

But if you want to modify what any particular layer does, that's when nodes become extremely useful.

Control Layers with Art-Net

In Disguise, you could control a layer property by defining an Art-Net expression. In LightAct, you can control a layer variable through Art-Net or sACN by clicking on the Variable’s DMX icon.

The incoming DMX Data can be set and visualized in the DMX In window.

Control Layers with OSC

A similar approach applies for controlling layer properties with OSC in Disguise and controlling layer variables with OSC In, in LightAct. While you are used to creating an OSC Expression for a chosen layer property in Disguise, you can achieve this by clicking on the OSC Icon of a layer variable in LightAct.

Of course, to receive OSC Data, you first need to correctly set up an OSC Receiver device node, and then map these values to the desired Layer variables in the OSC In window.

Keyframing

To animate a layer property over time, in Disguise you would use a method called Keyframing. A similar functionality in LightAct can be found in the Curve Editor. To enable Curve Editing for a layer variable, you must enable the Curve Editing icon. Next, upon selecting the variable in the Curve Editor, you can insert different keyframes and move them around both up, down, vertically, and horizontally.

Cues

When you add a Cue in disguise, you get a new entry in the Cue list. LightAct can use Section or Marker as a cue as long as they have Use as Cue enabled.

disguise	LightAct
Cue	Marker or Section with Use as Cue enabled.

Multi-transport Manager

In disguise, you could control multiple Tracks within a project simultaneously, through the use of Multi-transport manager. In LightAct, you can run multiple Timelines in a single project independently from one another, and manage the process in the Timelines window.

Good to know: If you would like to sync a Timeline to an incoming timecode, you first have to create a Device that received the data and then select the device from the Sync dropdown menu of the desired Timeline in the Timelines window.