Animation & Timeline Workflow

DitherFlow features a full keyframe animation system that lets you modulate dithering parameters over time. Animate threshold values, adjustment sliders, algorithm parameters, and post-effects to craft motion graphics, glitch transitions, and looping visual sequences.

Step 1: Entering Animation Mode

There are two primary ways to initialize the timeline:

A. Working with Static Images

1. Open your image file (File > Import File or drag-and-drop).
2. Go to the top menu bar and select Tools > Create Animation.
3. In the dialog, define:
   • Duration: Total length of the animation in seconds.
   • Frame Rate (FPS): Choose your target playback speed (e.g., 24, 30, or 60 FPS).
4. Click OK to open the timeline dock at the bottom of the workspace.

B. Working with Video Files

1. Simply drag-and-drop any video (.mp4, .mov) into DitherFlow.
2. Go to the top menu bar and select Tools > Create Animation. The animation mode will launch automatically, synchronized to the source video's total duration and native framerate.

Step 2: Understanding the Timeline Controls

The timeline is organized into three primary sections:

1. Transport Bar (Top):

   • Play / Pause: Start or stop playback (or press Spacebar).
   • Step Forward / Backward: Jump frame-by-frame for precision scrubbing.
   • Loop Toggle: Repeat playback seamlessly from start to finish.
   • Timecode / Frame Counter: Shows the current frame index and formatted time (HH:MM:SS:FF).
   • Pre-Process Toggle & Status: Shows frame rendering status (Realtime, Buffering, or Render Ready).

2. Time Ruler & Playhead:

   • Displays frame numbers along the timeline.
   • Click anywhere along the ruler or drag the playhead indicator to scrub to any frame in your project.
   • Drag the handles above the ruler to control the zoom the timeline

Step 3: Creating Keyframes

Every slider in DitherFlow can be animated across time, such as Brightness, Contrast, Scale, Threshold, Midtones, algorithm-specific parameters and Effect parameters.

To insert a keyframe:

1. Move the timeline playhead to your desired frame (for example, Frame 0).
2. Adjust your parameter slider to the desired value in the Control Panel.
3. Add the keyframe using either of these methods:
   • Keyboard Shortcut: Hover your cursor over the slider or number field and press the I key.
   • Right-Click Context Menu: Right-click on the slider or spinbox and select "Add Keyframe".
4. A new color-coded parameter track will appear in the timeline layer list, and a diamond keyframe marker will be placed on the canvas.
5. Scrub the playhead forward (for example, Frame 48), change the slider value, and press I (or right-click and choose "Add Keyframe") again.

Step 4: Editing Keyframes & Interpolation Curves

Fine-tune timing and transitions directly on the keyframe canvas:

• Move Timing: Click and drag any keyframe diamond left or right to change when the transition occurs.
• Change Interpolation: Right-click any keyframe diamond on the track to customize the interpolation mode:
  • Linear: A direct, constant rate of change between values.
  • Ease In / Out: Smooth acceleration and deceleration for polished motion.
  • Constant (Hold): Holds the current value until the playhead reaches the next keyframe, then steps instantaneously.
  • Bezier: Pre-defined bezier curves for smooth transitions.
• Delete Keyframes: Right-click an individual keyframe diamond and choose "Delete Keyframe", or right-click the track name in the left layer list to clear the entire channel.

Step 5: Realtime vs. Pre-Process Preview

DitherFlow provides two ways to preview animated sequences:

• Realtime Mode (Default): Frames are computed dynamically on the fly using the hardware-accelerated C++ engine. Recommended for quick iteration and lighter resolutions.
• Pre-Process Mode: For high-resolution files or heavy post-processing stacks (e.g. multiple blurs, CRT shaders, and glow filters), turn the PRE-PROCESS toggle ON in the bottom status bar.
  • When changes are made, an amber "⚠ Apply Changes" button will appear in the transport bar.
  • Click "Apply Changes" to render and cache the dithered frames in the background for stutter-free playback.

Step 6: Exporting Your Animation

Once you are satisfied with your animated preview:

1. Open the top menu and select File > Export Animation.
2. Configure your export preferences:
   • File Name: Select output file name.
   • Quality: Choose your desired expport quality. Some quality may limit the export formats available for selected quality.
   • Format: Choose the format which you want the exported animation to be.
3. Click "Export". DitherFlow will process each frame through the keyframed dither pipeline and compile the finished video file.