Copyright: Copyright (c) November 1999 by Ulead Systems, Inc.


New

Opens a dialog box for starting a new project. The New dialog box allows you to specify the frame size, rate, and clip duration.

(Shortcut Key – Ctrl+N)

  Creating a new project

  New dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Open

Opens existing project files into the CG Infinity workspace. The Open dialog box allows you to search your system for the desired projects.

(Shortcut Key – Ctrl+O)

  Opening a file

  Open dialog box

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Restore

Returns the image to the way it was when it was last saved. This is essentially the same as closing the image and then reopening it without saving. This command cannot be undone.

  Recovering from mistakes

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Close

Closes the active project without ending CG Infinity, prompting you to save changes.

(Shortcut Key -- Ctrl+W)

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Save
Save / Save As

Saves the active project with the current file name. If the active clip is untitled, the Save As dialog box opens, allowing you to assign a name and destination for the file.

Note: Projects saved as CG Infinity (UCG) can be used as clips in the Video Editor timeline.

(Shortcut Key – Ctrl+S)

  Saving a file

  Save As dialog box

  Add To Library dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Media Player

Starts Windows Media Player so you can load and review existing video and other multimedia files.

  Viewing video files

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Create Video File

Creates a video out of the active project, including the background in the saved file. If you wish to use the project against multiple backgrounds, save the project as a CG Infinity project and load the project file as an overlay track in Video Editor.

  Saving a file

  Previewing results

  Viewing video files

  Create Video File dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Create Image File

Creates an image out of the current frame in the active project, including the background. If you wish to save all the frames in the project as individual images, click File: Create Video File and select the Ulead Image Sequence (UIS) format.

  Saving a file

  Create Image File dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Preferences

Customizes the CG Infinity and MediaStudio working environment. The Preferences dialog box opens where you can define filter to apply, protect areas around your frame, and enhance CG Infinity’s sensitivity for precision editing.

(Shortcut key: F6)

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Managing memory

  Calibrating the display

  Preferences dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Properties

Modifies the attributes of the current project You can change the frame rate, duration, frame size, and other characteristics. When you change the properties, CG Infinity resizes and moves all objects and marks relative to the change from the original to the new settings.

(Shortcut key: Alt+Enter)

  Working efficiently

  Changing a project’s standard properties

  Properties dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Exit

Quits CG Infinity, prompting you to save any open projects that have changed since they were last saved.

(Shortcut key: Ctrl+Q)

  Quitting CG Infinity

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Recent Files

Displays up to the last nine files opened. Clicking a name in this list open its associated file in the workspace. You can set the maximum number of files to show here by clicking File: Preferences - CG Infinity tab.

  Preferences dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Undo
Undo / Redo / Clear Undo/Redo History

Undo Reverses the last completed action. CG Infinity can reverse up to 99 consecutive commands that can be set by clicking File: Preferences - CG Infinity tab. (Shortcut key: Ctrl+Z)

Redo Restores the last action that was undone using the Undo command. This command is only available if the last action performed was Undo. (Shortcut key: Ctrl+Y)

Clear Undo/Redo History Empties system memory of all actions completed up to the point when the command was clicked. This is useful for making more system memory available to enable the program to run faster. This command cannot be undone.

  Recovering from mistakes

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Cut

Removes a selection from the active project and places it onto the clipboard. You may later paste this selection or only certain properties of the selection elsewhere in the same or another project.

(Shortcut key: Ctrl+X))

  Removing unwanted elements

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Copy

Copies a selection from the active project onto the clipboard. You may later paste this selection or only certain properties of the selection elsewhere in the same or another project.

(Shortcut key: Ctrl+C)

  Copying

  Pasting

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Paste Commands

Object Pastes clipboard data as a new object into the project. (Shortcut key: Ctrl+V)

Object Style Applies selected attributes of the object on the clipboard to a selection in the active project. A dialog box opens for selecting which attributes to apply.

Moving Path Applies the moving path of the object on the clipboard to a selection in the active project. A dialog box opens for selecting which attributes to apply.

Object as Moving Path Applies the shape of the object on the clipboard to a selection in the active project as a path for the selection to follow when animated.

Note: Depending on the item on the clipboard and the current selection in the active project, one or more of the Paste commands may not be available.

  Copying

  Pasting

  Paste Object Style dialog box

  Paste Moving Path dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Select All
Select Commands

Select All Selects all objects in the active project. (Shortcut key: Ctrl+A)

Select None Deselects all selected objects in the current project.

  Selecting objects

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Layer Level Commands

These commands allow you to control which items remain visible when their paths cross during an animation. Objects on higher layers remain visible.

Bring to Front Brings the selected object to the top layer without affecting the order of the other objects in the project. This command is available if the selected object is not already at the top level.

Bring Forward Transposes the selected object with the object in the layer immediately above it. This command is only available if one or more objects are above the selected object.

Send Backward Transposes the selected object with the object in the layer immediately below it. This command is only available if one or more objects are below the selected object.

Send to Back Sends the selected object to the bottom layer without affecting the order of the other objects in the project. This command is available if the selected object is not already at the bottom level.

  Changing the order of overlapping objects

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Reverse

Transposes the order of all selected objects in the active project so that the lowest one in the group moves to the highest layer and the highest moves down to the lowest, with others adjusting accordingly.

  Changing the order of overlapping objects

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Align

Evenly spaces selected objects in the active project relative to each other.

  Align dialog box

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Group
Group / Ungroup

Group Creates a single object out of multiple selected objects. Once grouped, their attributes can all be changed concurrently.

Ungroup Separates grouped objects to their previous independent parts.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Delete

Permanently removes all selected objects or the selected object’s moving path and control points from the project. Unlike cutting, the Delete command does not place the objects on the clipboard, so more system memory remains available.

(Shortcut key: Del)

  Removing unwanted elements

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Duplicate

Adds a copy of all selected objects to the project. This is similar to clicking Copy and then Paste.

  Copying

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Snap to Guides
Snap to Guides / Snap to Grid

Snap to Guides Aligns an edge of a moved or newly placed object along a guideline placed in the project.

Snap to Grid Aligns an edge of a moved or newly placed object to the closest grid point in the project.

Grid and guide settings can be controlled from the View: Grid & Guide Options command.

  Positioning still objects

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Actual View

Resizes the image to its full size.

  Adjusting the overall view

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Zoom In
Zoom In / Out Commands

Changes the view of the active project so you can see greater detail or more of the image. The zoom slider on the Zoom tool Attribute toolbar also allows you to zoom in or out on the project.

  Adjusting the overall view

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Fit in Window
Fit in Window / Fit in Window By

Fit in Window Resizes the active project to the largest magnification that will fit in the current window size.

Fit in Window By Resizes the active project and its window to a specified magnification. A sub menu offers choices of magnifications that will fit in the workspace.

  Adjusting the overall view

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Full Screen

Hides the Windows interface, filling the screen with the current image and any floating toolbars and panels. This enables you to edit or view a project without the distractions of the other open windows or programs. To return the hidden elements, press Escape.

(Shortcut Key -- Ctrl+U)

  Organizing the workspace

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Remove Menu Bar

Hides the menu bar from the workspace.

  Organizing the workspace

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Wireframe

Toggles between showing objects as shape outlines (wireframes) or with their line, fill, and shadow colors. When editing and making large changes, viewing wireframes allows you to work with and play motion paths much faster. Viewing without wireframes gives you a much better idea of how the overall project will look, but is much slower.

(Shortcut key: Ctrl+D)

  Working efficiently

  Previewing results

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Toolbars & Panels

Opens a dialog box with options for displaying toolbars and palettes.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Organizing the workspace

  Toolbars & Panels dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Title Safe Area

Shows an area around the edge of the frame that represents the portion of the frame where image data could experience unintentional or wanted distrortion because of its close proximity to the edge. Text or other objects that appear outside the boundaries of this area might not be clear when played back using conventional video devices.

  Preferences dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Color Palette

Offers a sub menu that allows you to select which style color palette to show in the workspace. The sub menu offers these choices:

Map Shows all available colors in the palette at one time.

Wash Limits the colors shown in the palette to a single hue with the full range of brightness settings for that color.

Swatch Offers 64 variations of one of 16 basic colors.

Custom Limits the total number of colors available to 256 colors (or less) based on an indexed color palette. You can load your own custom palettes or use the standard palette that comes with CG Infinity.

Compact Toggles the color palette between compact mode and full size mode. In compact mode, some options (such as opening a new or different palette for the custom display) may not be available and it is more difficult to precisely select a desired color.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Rulers

Shows or hides the ruler in the project's window. With the ruler showing, you can place objects with greater precision with respect to the edge of the frame and each other. By default, the ruler origin is the top left corner of the frame. You can change this position by dragging from the ruler cross hair in the top left corner of the project’s window to the place you want the origin to be. Double click the ruler cross hair to restore the origin.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Working efficiently

  Positioning still objects

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Guides

Shows or hides guide lines to help you place objects in the frame with precision. To add a guideline, with the ruler showing, click and drag from the ruler to the place in the frame you want the guide to appear. Once a guide is in the project, you can drag it to a different location.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Working efficiently

  Positioning still objects

  Grid & Guide Options dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Grid

Shows or hides grid points to help you place objects in the frame with precision. To control the spacing between grid points, Click View: Grid and Guide Options.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Working efficiently

  Positioning still objects

  Grid & Guide Options dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Grid & Guide Options

Changes the colors and spacing characteristics for grid points and guide lines. A dialog box opens for you to choose the desired characteristics.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Grid & Guide Options dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Background

Allows you to place a background into the active project. This background can come from an existing image or video file or be a solid color. If you create a video or image file using the File: Create commands, this background will be included in the newly created file(s). CG Infinity will not make any changes to the original files loaded as backgrounds, nor will they be included in saved CG Infinity project (UCG) files.

  Creating a new project

  Adding a background to the project

  Removing unwanted elements

  Background dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


New Window

Duplicates the window of the active project. This allows you to resize and edit one window while viewing the results in another. It is very useful when you need to zoom in on the project and still want to keep a global view of your edits.

  Adjusting the overall view

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Cascade

Arranges all open windows diagonally in the workspace from left to right and top to bottom.

  Organizing the workspace

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Tile Horizontally
Tile Horizontally & Tile Vertically

Evenly distributes all open windows in the workspace.

  Organizing the workspace

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Arrange Icons

Arranges minimized project windows as icons along the bottom of the workspace.

  Organizing the workspace

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Close All

Closes all open files in the workspace, prompting you to save any projects that have changed since they were last saved or created.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Currently Open Files

Lists the files that are currently open in the workspace.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


CG Infinity Help

Opens the online CG Infinity Help Contents dialog box.

You can also access help topics by:

Clicking the help button and then clicking on the item of interest

Placing the mouse over an item of interest and pressing F1.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


About CG Infinity

Shows copyright and other information about this version of CG Infinity.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Object Style Preview Window
Default Object Style Window

Displays a window that allows reviewing of object. To change the default image, right-click and then click Properties to open the Properties dialog box.


Resize

Drag a control point on the selected object to make it bigger or smaller. To keep the aspect ratio, press Shift as you drag.


Rotate

Drag the crosshair to determine the location for the axis of rotation for the selected object. Then drag a control point to rotate the object about the axis.


Rotate
Rotation Angle

Specify an exact amount to rotate the object by in degrees.


Slant

Drag a control point on the selected object to move that point and another adjacent point by the same amount in the direction that you drag. This skews the object.


Perspective

Drag a control point on the selected object to move that point and an adjacent point in equal but opposite directions. This can create the illusion of the object going into or coming out of the screen.


Distort

Drag a control point on the selected object to move that point without affecting any other control points. This distorts the shape.


X Position
X and Y Position

X Position Identifies and places the left edge of the selected object (Object tool) or node (Moving Path Tool) horizontally in the frame.

Y Position Identifies and places the top edge of the selected object (Object tool) or node (Moving Path Tool) vertically in the frame.


Width
Width & Height

Width Specifies the width of the rectangular boundary lines surrounding the selected object.

Height Specifies the height of the rectangular boundary lines surrounding the selected object.


Keep Aspect Ratio

When pressed, restricts horizontal and vertical changes in object size so that they change relative to each other.


Reset Rotating Center
Reset Rotation Center

Returns the axis of rotation for the selected object to the exact center of the object’s bounding rectangle.


Ellipse
Shapes

Pressing the Shift key with the mouse when creating objects

Ellipse Creates a circular or oval shape.

Rectangle Creates a square or other four-sided shape.

Polygon Creates a multisided shape. You may specify any number of sides ranging from 3 to 100.

Star Creates a star shaped object. You can specify any number of points for the star between 3 and 100. You can also control how sharp the points are.


Draw from Center

When pressed, draws a shape object starting from its center and opening out. Otherwise the shape starts from a corner.


Equal Sides

When pressed, restricts the sides of the newly created object so that all are equal to each other. In the case of the Ellipse tool, this creates a perfect circle. Otherwise, different sides of the shape may have unequal lengths, depending upon how the shape is drawn.


Fixed Size

Automatically determines the size of the newly created object as soon as you click in the project. The size is determined by the width and height entry boxes next to this button.


Shape Width & Height

The width and height for a new fixed size object. The Fixed Size button to the right of these entry boxes must be pressed to enable these settings.


Number of Sides

The number of sides for a newly created polygon or star shape. The polygon or star shape button must be pressed to enable this setting.


Pointiness

Controls how long and sharp the points of the star are relative to the center. The higher the number, the pointier the star. The star shape button must be pressed to enable this setting.


End Path
Path Controls

Open Path Click to stop drawing a path shape and leave the shape open-ended. Open ended shapes cannot be filled. (For the Adjust tool, this changes a closed path object to an open path object.)

Close Path Click to join the current endpoint of the line being drawn with the starting point. This closes the shape, enabling you to fill it. (For the Adjust tool, this changes an open path object to a closed path object.)


Accuracy

Determines how fathful the drawn shape is to the motion of the mouse over the project. If the accuracy is high, then the line will match the path of the mouse very closely. If the accuracy is low, then CG Infinity will interpolate changes in direction somewhat to smooth out curves.


Envelope types

Fit Shape	Fit Length
Horizontal	Vertical


Node Selection Controls

Adjust Path Select or move a node or one of its control lines.

Add Node Add a new node to the object where you click the mouse.

Remove Node Delete the selected node from the object and change the shapoe accordingly.


Segment Types

Line Segment Configures the selected node so that the line segment connecting to the adjacent node is a straight line.

Curve Segment Configures the selected node so that the line segment connecting to the adjacent node is a curved line.


Node Types

Symmetric Node Restricts changes to the length of the node control lines so that both lines for that node are equal length and run in opposite directions.

Smooth Node Restricts the directions that the node control lines can extend to so that they run in opposite directions.

Cusp Node Gives you unlimited freedom on reorienting and changing node control lines. With a cusp node, a curved shape can make an abrupt change in direction while with the other nodes, the changes are more smooth.


Nodes
Node(s)

The number of nodes in the selected object.


Selected Nodes
Selected Node(s)

The number of nodes that are currently selected in the object.


Font Name & Size

Select a font style and size for the characters you wish to place in the Project. CG Infinity accepts any Truetype fonts you have installed on your system.


Bold
Font Style

Bold Makes the characters a little thicker, giving them a stronger, darker look.

Italic Skews the characters slightly.

Underline Adds a single line under the characters.

Strikethrough Adds a single line that goes through the characters.


Alignment

Left Formats text so that it’s multiple lines all start from the same point on the left side.

Center Formats the text so that multiple lines are centered relative to each other.

Right Formats the text so that the ends of multiple lines all match up to the right edge.


Kerning
Kerning & Leading

Kerning When selected, makes the spacing between characters on the same line a little tighter.

Leading Allows you to increase or reduce the amount of space between lines of text.


Add [  ] to Production Library

Saves the selected item to the Production Library. A dialog box opens where you can assign a name, description, and location in the Production Library for the item. Once saved to the Production Library, you can easily recall that item or its attributes to apply to other objects and projects.

  Working efficiently

  Using the Production Library

  Add to Library dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Set as Default Object Style

Assigns the Object Style Panel settings for the selected object as the default attributes for newly created objects.

  Selecting objects

  Changing the Default Window’s display

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Apply Default Object Style

Assigns the default object style settings to the selected object.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Selecting objects

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Anti-aliasing

Select to smooth out rounded edges and slanted lines so that objects appear more natural.


Line Width

Set the desired width for the outer line of the object.


Transparency

Uniform Transparency The level of transparency for the object is constant. Enter a higher value to allow objects and images to be more clearly visible when beneath the selected object.

Gradient Transparency The level of transparency varies according to a gradient pattern that is overlayed on the object. Click the Gradient to select and customize the pattern.


Soft Edge

Blend the object into the background more smoothly and naturally. The higher the setting, the smoother the blend.


Cap Settings

Round Cap Rounds the end points of line segments.

Square Cap Squares off the endpoints of line segments.

Flat Cap Flattens the endpoints of line segments. This is similar to Square Cap except that the cap is at the exact same point as the node whereas the Square Cap extends beyond the node, similar to the Round Cap.


Joint Settings

Round Joint Rounds the top and bottom edges of objects where line segments meet.

Bevel Joint Flattens the top and bottom edges where line segments meet.

Miter Joint Gives top and bottom edges where line segments meet a sharp or pointed edge.


Fill Method

No Color Does not use a color within selected object or text.

Single Color Fills selected object or text with a color from the color picker.

Gradient Color Fills selected object or text with a gradient from the Magic Gradient dialog box.

Texture Fills selected object or text with a texture from the Magic Textures dialog box.


Non-zero Winding/Even-Odd Fill

When pressed, alternate between filling closed shapes and leaving them empty in a path object with intersecting lines.


Fill Precedence

When pressed, allows the fill color to overlap the line color in areas where the line is too close to the fill due to a curve or angle in the shape.


Line Method

No Color Deletes the visible outline surrounding the selected object or text.

Single Color Fills the outline of the selected object or text with a solid color.

Gradient Color Fills the outline of the selected object or text with a color pattern from the color palette.


Line Gradient Methods

Apply Along The gradient starts at the first point in the object and progresses around the shape.

Apply Outward The gradient starts at the edge of the object and progresses away.

Apply Symmetrically The gradient starts at the midpoint of the line and progresses towards the edges.


Shadow Methods

No Shadow The object has no shadow.

Drop Adds a simple drop shadow to the object to make it appear to be floating over the background.

Glowing Produces a halo effect around the selected object or text.

Extrude Produces a shadow that is extended from the object’s shape.


X Offset

Positions the shadow horizontally according to the specified value.


Y Offset

Positions the shadow vertically according to the specified value.


Transparency

Sets the level of transparency for the shadow. Enter a lower value to allow shadow to be more clearly visible along the edges of the selected object.


Intensity

Sets how much glowing effect of the shadow around the object.


Extrude Shadow Method

Extrude Away The colors for the shadow change as they move away from the object.

Extrude Along The colors for the shadow change as they move around the object.


Shadow Color

Single color Uses a pure color for the shadow.

Gradient color Uses a range of colors for the shadow.


Saving a video as a Ulead Image Sequence creates a single image file for each frame in the video being created. It also saves an additional file which catalogs and keeps track of the images so that you can place the sequence in the Video Editor timeline or as a background in CG Infinity or Video Paint. Remember that all the images and the UIS file that tracks them must reside in the same folder and that this format cannot include audio data.


To save rendering time and make previewing easier, create your projects using a small frame size and frame rate. Then, when you have everything close to the way you want it, change the properties and fine tune your work.


Some commands, such as File: Restore cannot be undone.


Show/Hide Production Library

Shows or hides the Production Library in the workspace. The Production Library contains preset tools and options that you can apply to your projects for faster results.

  Using the Production Library

  Production Library

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Show/Hide Object Style Panel

Shows or hides the Object Style Panel in the workspace. The Object Style Panel controls the colors and appearance of objects in your project.

  Object Style Panel

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Show/Hide Time Control Panel

Shows or hides the Time Control Panel in the workspace. The Time Control Panel defines the movement, speed, and changes of objects in your project.

  Time Control Panel

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


To change colors using the palette, the item you wish to change must already be using a solid color.


Preview Cell

This is the currently selected color or gradient.

For Single color ( [image]) Click to open the Ulead Color Picker dialog box or right click to open the Color Picker pop-up menu for changing the current color.

For Gradient color ( [image]) Click to open the Palette Ramp Editor dialog box for changing the current range of colors.


Preview Cell

This is the currently selected color, gradient, or texture.

For Single color ( [image]) Click to open the Ulead Color Picker dialog box or right click to open the Color Picker pop-up menu for changing the current color.

For Gradient color ( [image]) Click to open the Magic Gradient dialog box for changing the current range of colors or pattern.

For Texture color ( [image]) Click to open the Magic Texture dialog box for changing the current texture pattern.


Preview Cell

This is the currently selected color. Click to open the Ulead Color Picker dialog box or right click to open the Color Picker pop-up menu for changing the current color.


Key Frame Controls

Add Adds a key frame at the current timecode. By adding a mark, you can set new attributes for the object’s appearance and position alonng the path.

Delete Removes the existing key frame at the current timecode. This is only available when a key frame already exists at the timecode.

Back one frame Moves the selected key frame back one frame.

Forward one frame Moves the selected key frame forward one frame.


Playbar

Previous frame Moves back one frame.

Next frame Moves forward one frame.

Slider Moves through frames faster when dragged to the left or right.

Previous key frame Moves to the previous inactive key frame.

Next key frame Moves to the next inactive key frame.

Inactive key frame This indicates that a key frame exists at this timecode.

Active key frame You can change the objects location along the moving path and its colors, size, and rotation when a key frame is active.


Key Frame Controls and Playbar

Add Adds a key frame at the current timecode. By adding a mark, you can set new attributes for the object’s appearance and position alonng the path.

Delete Removes the existing key frame at the current timecode. This is only available when a key frame already exists at the timecode.

Back one frame Moves the selected key frame back one frame.

Forward one frame Moves the selected key frame forward one frame.

Previous frame Moves back one frame.

Next frame Moves forward one frame.

Slider Moves through frames faster when dragged to the left or right.

Previous key frame Moves to the previous inactive key frame.

Next key frame Moves to the next inactive key frame.

Inactive key frame This indicates that a key frame exists at this timecode.

Active key frame You can change the objects location along the moving path and its colors, size, and rotation when a key frame is active.


Fade Control

Displays marks indicating key frames. A red square indicates an active key frame while blue is an inactive one. Click and drag a mark closer to the top to make the object more transparent at that key frame.


Play Controls

Pauses or stops the playback. (You can also press Esc to stop a playback.)

Plays a preview of the current path settings.

Automatically repeats the playback.


Timecode

The timecode for the current frame.


Toolbars & Panels Popup Menu

Displays a list of all the toolbars and panels available in CG Infinity. A check mark to the left of a toolbar or panel indicates that it’s currently displayed on the workspace. Select one from the list to show or hide it.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Apply to Selected Objects

Applies the current settings of the default image to all the selected objects.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Properties

Opens the Properties dialog box for changing the settings of the default image.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Zoom In / Out Commands

Changes the view of the active project so you can see greater detail or more of the image. The zoom slider on the Zoom tool Attribute toolbar also allows you to zoom in or out on the project.


Fade Value

Displays the transparency level of the object at a specific keyframe. Enter a higher value to make the object appear more transparent at a selected keyframe.


New dialog box

Duration Specify the duration for the project.

Frame rate Specify a frame rate of the new project.

Frame size Includes a set of predefined frame sizes and a set of custom frame sizes. You can specify the desired frame size in the spin boxes. Select Keep aspect ratio to maintain the relationship between the width and height based on standard video frame sizes when defining your own frame size.

  Creating a new project

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Open dialog box

Look in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

View files as icons.

View files by names with statistics.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for opening.

Files of type Select a particular file format for opening.

Subject Displays the subject assigned to the file (optional).

Description Displays the description of the file contents (optional).

Info Click to open a dialog box containing information about the selected file, as well as the number of objects contained in it.

Browse Search for files or folders.

  Opening a file

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


File dialog box

This dialog box allows you to decide the names, locations, and characteristics for files when saving them. It may contain some or all of the following choices:

Save in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

View files as icons.

View files by names with statistics.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for saving.

Save as type Select a particular file format for saving.

Subject Assign a subject to the file (optional) to give you an idea of the file’s purpose.

Description Type a description of the file contents (optional) to describe in more detailed the file’s purpose.

Save to Production Library Select to save a file name entry to a library folder for better file management.

Folder Displays the currently selected library folder for saving.

Thumbnail preview window Displays the thumbnail image that is going to be used everytime this file is selected in any open dialog boxes.

Options Click to open the Save Options dialog box for available compression schemes as well as advanced saving commands. (Only available when creating a video file.)

Browse Click to search for files or folders.

Select Click to display the Select Preview Image dialog box. Use this to choose a frame to represent the file whenever you select it from a dialog box that supports preview information.

Library Click to open the Add To Library dialog box. Choose the library folder where to place the link to the actual file for quick access.

  Saving a file - Project

  Saving a file - Video

  Using the Production Library

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Create Image File dialog box

Save in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

View files as icons.

View files by names with statistics.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for saving.

Save as type Select a particular file format for saving.

Data type Specify the color characterisitics for the new image.

Resolution Specify the number of pixels per inch.

Width and Height Specify the width and height of the image file in pixels.

Save alpha channel Select if you want to save your image keeping its mask marquee for future use. (This is only available for some file formats.)

Save to Production Library Select to save a file name entry to a library folder for better file management.

Folder Displays the currently selected library folder for saving.

Options Click to open the Save Options dialog box for available compression schemes as well as advanced saving commands. (Available depending on the select file format for saving.)

Browse Click to search for files or folders.

Library Click to open the Add To Library dialog box. Choose the library folder where to place the link to the actual file for quick access.

  Saving a file

  Using the Production Library

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Properties dialog box

Duration Specify the time duration of the current project.

Frame rate Specify the number of frames per second.

Frame size Specify the dimensions and ratio of the frame.

Pasteboard area Determines the area of the pasteboard around the frame on a percentage scale.

Total Shows the number of frames there are in the clip.

Contents Shows how many objects there are in the clip.

  Working efficiently

  Changing a project’s standard properties

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Preferences dialog box - CG Infinity
Preferences dialog box

  CG Infinity	  Display
  Memory

Apply color filter Select to correct the color spectrum to account for limitations of  the NTSC or PAL standard.

Enable undo Select and enter the maximum number of actions CG Infinity should keep in memory for recovering from mistakes.

Number of recently opened files Specify the number of file names you want to list on the File menu.

Title safe area margin Specify the size of a “protected” area around the edge of the frame where unwanted or planned distortion might occur on a conventional video display.

Object movement Specify how far the selected objects will move by each stroke of the arrow key when using the keyboard in repositioning them.

Object selection method Select “Inside” to select objects by enclosing their entirety in a bounding box drawn using the mouse. Select “Touch” if the bounding box should only cross any portion of an object to select it.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


This list contains file names of your most recently opened files. You can click a name from the list to reopen the file.


This is useful if you intend to output your file to a video tape or for broadcast. Since the television uses a different resolution compared to a computer monitor, there maybe edges that are visible on computer monitor screens but not on television screens. As a guideline for different devices, choose 12% for NTSC and 10% for PAL.


The full range of colors that can be shown by a computer monitor, PAL Video playback device, and NTSC playback device are not exactly the same. At the ends of the spectrum, there are a few colors that may not reproduce exactly the same. By applying a filter to your projects, you can be more confident that the appearance of your project on the computer will match that of the video display you use.


By enabling a lot of undos you protect yourself from making mistakes, but this comes at a cost of system resources. Each action remembered takes up system memory, (some actions require more memory than others), which can slow down system performance. Find a good balance between performance and protection.


Preferences dialog box - Memory
Preferences dialog box

  CG Infinity	  Display
  Memory

Optimize how Windows manages system memory while running Ulead programs.

Temp folders Choose folders for storing temporary files while running Ulead programs. (Windows automatically determines the first folder.) Make sure each of your temporary folders is on a different drive or partition.

Hard disk Displays the currently selected drive’s free space. Click the drop-down arrow to select other drives.

Limit hard disk usage to Select and specify a value to have Ulead programs manage disk usage while running. This might be useful for preserving disk space for other files.

Limit RAM usage to Select and specify a value to have Ulead programs manage system memory while running. This might be useful if you run several different programs at once.

  Managing memory

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Preferences dialog box - Display
Preferences dialog box

  CG Infinity	  Display
  Memory

Control how Ulead programs display graphics.

High color dithering Select if your display mode is High Color and you want True Color images to look their best on screen.

View images with a common palette Select if you are working in 256-color mode and want to open grayscale and color images at the same time or when comparing 256-color images with each other.

Ignore background quality Select to devote most system resources to viewing the active image. When selected, inactive images may appear discolored. This does not affect the actual data, it just affects appearance when not active.

Monitor gamma Select to correct your display for manufacturers' differences and the environment. When selected, set the gamma value so that the calibration square appears to be a single color.

  Calibrating the display

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


This does not affect the actual data, it just affects appearance when not active.


Align dialog box

Vertically Select where to set the reference point for aligning objects in a column.

Horizontally Select where to set the reference point for aligning objects in a row.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Toolbars & Panels dialog box

Determines how various CG Infinity items appear in the workspace. Check each item you want to appear in the workspace or clear the ones you want to hide or disable.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Organizing the workspace

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Grid & Guide Options dialog box

Grid options Specify the horizontal and vertical spacing in pixels within a range of 5 to 50. Click the Grid color square to change it from the color picker.

Guide options Click to select a color for the guides.

Snap to distance Specify the amount of distance allowed within a range of 1 to 5 pixels before the object is automatically shifted up against the nearest grid point.

  Customizing CG Infinity

  Working efficiently

  Positioning still objects

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Background dialog box

Background source Choose the background to use in the project.

Single color Click the color square to open the Ulead Color Picker for changing the current color or type its RGB values. Right-click to open the Color Picker’s pop-up menu.

Video file Select to enable the Select button for choosing a video file to use as a background source for the current project. The last frame of the selected video will appear in the rest of frames of the project if the the selected video ends before the project.

Image file Select to enable the Select button for choosing an image file to use as a background source for the current project.

Resize to fit the frame Click to adjust the dimensions of the selected background so that it fits into the frame.

Center in the frame Click to position the selected background at the center of the frame.

  Creating a new project

  Adding a background to the project

  Removing unwanted elements

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Paste Object Style dialog box

Select the attributes of the object on the clipboard that you want to apply to the selection.

Fill color Fills all selected objects with the fill of the object on the clipboard.

Line color Changes the line color of all selected objects with the line color of the object on the clipboard.

Shadow style Changes the shadow for all selected objects to that of the object on the clipboard.

General style Changes the line thickness, overall transparency, and other attributes from the General tab of the Object Style Panel of all selected objects to that of the object on the clipboard.

  Copying

  Pasting

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Paste Moving Path dialog box

Select the moving path of the object on the clipboard that you want to apply to the selection.

Path attributes Assign a moving path that is parallel to that on the clipboard starting from the selected object’s current position.

Key frame attributes Assign the marks and all Object Style Panel settings for how the object changes in the path on the clipboard to the selected object.

  Copying

  Pasting

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


UCG File Information dialog box
UCG File Properties dialog box

Lists information about the file.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Gradient Transparency dialog box

Transparency start Specify the degree of transparency at the starting point on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 being fully opaque and 100 being fully transparent.

Transparency end Specify the degree of transparency at the end point on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 being fully opaque and 100 being fully transparent.

Symmetry button Press to use a symmetric gradient that starts and ends with the same settings.

Repeat number Specify how many times the pattern should repeat in the object.

Progression window Preview how the gradient progresses. Click and drag across the gradient to define the starting, ending, and direction for the gradient to follow.

  Working with transparency

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Magic Texture dialog box

Select a texture to fill the selected object(s).

Sample tiles Click a bordering tile to shift the texture accordingly. You may repeat this action several times until you find the texture you want. The center tile shows the currently selected texture.

Random Click to change the center tile to a randomly selected other texture.

  Changing the selected texture

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Magic Gradient dialog box

Allows you to generate a new image using the different gradient patterns.

Ring palette window Displays the ring palette with the set and order of colors used in the current magic gradient effect. (The order of the colors start from the left middle part of the ring which is at 0 degrees and makes a 360 degree turn.)

Edit Click to open the Palette Ramp Editor dialog box for advanced ring palette editing.

Reflect control button Reverses the order of the second set of ring palette colors (per two groups) applied in the magic gradient effect.

Hue shift control Click and drag the index in the color hue bar or enter the desired hue value. This adjusts the hue in the ring palette without changing the saturation and brightness.

Ring control Enter the degree of turn. This rotates the color ring affecting the start and the end color.

Repeat numberDefine the number of times to repeat a set of ring palette colors in the magic gradient effect.

Mode Select from the pre-defined mode library the pattern to use in the effect. Click and drag the scroll bar below the different modes displayed to view all the available textures. (For some modes, move the pointer to the Sample result window and if the pointer changes to a hand shape, you can move the center point of the gradient. Click and drag to the desired center point position.)

Slope Specify the pattern's direction. Click and drag the red dot to the determine the degree of direction turn.

Frequency Specify the number of times to apply the pattern in the magic gradient effect. Click and drag the pointer to the desired number of patterns.

Amplitude Specify the length and width of the pattern. Click and drag the pointer to the desired pattern's size.

Sample result window Displays the magic gradient effect resulting image.

  Filling objects with color

  Assigning line attributes to objects

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


When selected and the repeat number is set to at least 2, the first set of colors applies the regular order and the second set applies the reversed order. This arrangement is applicable for every two sets of colors.


Palette Ramp Editor dialog box

Allows you to do advanced editing on a selected ring palette.

Ring palette & control points window Displays the currently selected ring palette and the colors' order control points.

Hue shift control Click and drag the index in the color hue bar or enter the desired hue value. This adjusts the hue in the ring palette without changing the saturation and brightness.

Ring control Enter the degree of turn. This rotates the color ring affecting the start and the end color.

Add Inserts a newly defined ring palette to the library.

Palette library Click to select a ring palette to display in the ring palette window. This contains pre-defined ring palettes.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


You can rearrange, change, add, or delete colors from the selected ring palette.

To edit the ring's color order, click and drag the control point of the color to move around the ring to the desired location.

To change/delete a selected ring's color, right mouse click on the control point and choose "Change color" or "Delete."

To add a new color, click on the ring area you wish to add a color to open the Windows color option. Select the desired color and click OK to add it to the ring palette.

Note: To change a gradient to a single color, simply delete all the points but one from the ring.


Properties dialog box

Name Type a name for the current style settings for identification.

Object Style Panel Specify the attributes of the object to display in the Default Object Style Window.

Default sample Displays how the object looks like with the current settings.

View as Select the type of image to use as test image when you apply the current settings.

Add Click to open the Add To Library dialog box to add the current object style to your Default Styles folder.

  Changing the Default Window’s display

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Creating a new project

1.	Click File: New to display the New dialog box.

2.	Specify a duration, frame rate, and frame size for the project and click OK.

3.	When the new project window opens, click View: Background to add a background color, image, or animation to the project.

  New dialog box

  Background dialog box

  CG Infinity Basics


Opening a file

Click File: Open and select the folder and file name for the project you want to edit. To open more than one project from the same folder, press the Ctrl or Shift key as you click a file name. Pressing the Ctrl Key allows you to select several individual files while pressing Shift selects a range.

  Open dialog box

  CG Infinity Basics


Saving a file: Project
Saving a file

  Project	  Image
  Video

Saving a file as a CG Infinity Project (UCG) file allows you to come back and modify the objects at a later time. Since you can load UCG files into the Video Editor timeline as video clips, this is also a good way to conserve disk space as a UCG file is usually much smaller than its video counterpart.

1.	Click File: Save As.

2.	Assign a destination and file name for the project.

3.	If you want, enter a subject, description, and assign the project to the Production Library.

4.	Click OK. The dialog box closes and returns you to CG Infinity.

  Save As dialog box

  Add To Library dialog box

  CG Infinity Basics


Saving a file: Video
Saving a file

  Project	  Image
  Video

If the animation you just completed is intended to be used as its own video, you can save it as a video file without having to open Video Editor.

1.	Click File: Create Video File.

2.	Select the desired format and assign a destination and file name for the video.

3.	If you want, enter a subject, description, and assign the project to the Production Library.

4.	Click Options to view and change the video properties of the file.

5.	Click OK to close the Video Save Options dialog box then click OK again to create the file and return to CG Infinity.

  Create Video File dialog box

  Add To Library dialog box

  CG Infinity Basics


Saving a file: Image
Saving a file

  Project	  Image
  Video

If you just want a single image from one of the frames in the CG Infinity project, simply save that frame as an image. You can then open the image in a conventional image editing program or display it in other documents.

1.	Click the Moving Path tool [image] and on the Time Control Panel, go to the frame you want to save.

2.	Click File: Create Image File.

3.	Select the desired format and assign a destination and file name for the image.

4	If you want, change the resolution and dimensions for the image to your needs. Click Options to review and set format-specific options for the image.

5.	Click OK to return to CG Infinity.

  Create Image File dialog box

  CG Infinity Basics


Copying: Clipboard
Copying

  Clipboard	  Duplicating

Using the clipboard offers you the advantage of selectively pasting information back into CG Infinity. When a CG Infinity object is on the clipboard, the Paste command may offer you several options of how to paste the information, including applying only certain attributes of the object on the clipboard to an active selection in the CG Infinity workspace.

1.	Switch to the Object tool [image] and click on the object you want to copy. If you want to copy more than one object, drag your mouse over all the objects you want to copy.

2.	Click Edit: Copy [image] to place the selection on the clipboard.

3.	Once on the clipboard, you may use any of the Edit: Paste commands to place the data, or selected attributes into the same or other projects. You may also use the Paste command in other programs to paste the image data into them.

  Selecting objects

  Pasting

  Paste Object Style dialog box

  Paste Moving Path dialog box

  Working with Objects


Copying: Duplicating
Copying

  Clipboard	  Duplicating

If you want to make an exact copy of the current selection in the same project, simply click Edit: Duplicate. CG Infinity instantly copies and then pastes the copy into the project slightly to the right and below the original. You may then drag the copy to its desired location.

  Selecting objects

  Pasting

  Working with Objects


Removing unwanted elements: Objects
Removing unwanted elements

  Objects	  Background
  Motion

To delete entire objects:

1.	Switch to the Object tool [image] and click the object you want to remove. If you want to remove more than one, drag your mouse over all those objects.

2.	Click Edit: Cut [image] to place the selection on the clipboard. (This allows you to paste the removed information into another location or project.)

    Or

Click Edit: Delete to permanently erase the information. (This saves system resources and preserves whatever is already on the clipboard.)

To delete a node on an object:

1.	Select the Adjust tool [image] and click [image] on the Attribute toolbar.

2.	Click the node you want to delete.

  Selecting objects

  Working with Objects


Removing unwanted elements: Motion
Removing unwanted elements

  Objects	  Background
  Motion

With the Moving Path Tool active:

Changing Attributes To delete changes in an object’s attributes along a moving path, simply delete the key frame at that point.

Path To delete a path, click the Moving Path Tool on the Tool Panel and then click Edit: Delete or the Delete key.

Path Control Points Click [image] on the Attribute toolbar and then click the control point you want to delete.

  Working with Objects


Removing unwanted elements: Background
Removing unwanted elements

  Objects	  Background
  Motion

To remove a background, click View: Background and choose a neutral color, (such as white) for the background.

  Background dialog box

  Working with Objects


Recovering from mistakes

Undoing Click Edit: Undo to return the project to its previous state. You may repeat this action to reverse several steps in succession.

Redoing Click Edit: Redo to reapply commands you undid with "Undo".

Starting over If you want to start over or undo more than what is in the undo memory, click File: Restore. This effectively closes and reopens the project discarding all objects and changes made since the last save.

  Preferences dialog box

  CG Infinity Basics


Pasting

Click Edit: Paste to add data from the clipboard to the active project. Depending on whether an object is selected or not and what is on the clipboard, one or more of the Paste submenu commands may be available. Click Paste Commands for more information on each one.

  Selecting objects

  Copying

  Working with Objects


Quitting CG Infinity

Click File: Exit

Click the Exit button on the top right corner of the CG Infinity title bar.

Double-click the top left corner of the CG Infinity title bar.

If any projects open in the workspace have been changed since they were last saved, CG Infinity asks whether you want to save them before quitting.

  CG Infinity Basics


Organizing the workspace

By setting how CG Infinity displays its toolbars, panels, windows and other workspace items, you can find the best way to work efficiently. Here are some of the things you can do:

Hiding and showing toolbars and panels Right click on any toolbar or panel to open a popup menu for showing or hiding that and other toolbars or panels. You can also hide a panel by double-clicking its title bar.

Docked or Floating Most items in the CG Infinity workspace can be docked along the sides of the workspace or dragged from the sides to be floating. (The Color Palette can only be docked when it is in a compact view.

Hiding the menu To increase the available working space, click View: Remove Menu Bar. The menu bar disappears and the workspace resizes accordingly. To restore the menu bar, simply press Esc.

Maximizing the workspace area To use the entire screen as your workspace, first drag all toolbars and panels you expect to need while editing away from their docked positions. Then click View: Full Screen. To return to the standard windows environment, simply press Esc.

Arranging multiple projects Click Window: Cascade to layer open project windows diagonally across the workspace. Click Window: Tile Horizontally or Window: Tile Vertically to arrange all open windows evenly in the workspace. Click Window: Arrange Icons to arrange all minimized windows along the bottom of the workspace.

  Toolbars & Panels dialog box

  Managing Projects


Selecting objects

Click the object you want to select. (In Wireframe mode, you have to click the wireframe to select the object.)

Click Edit: Select All to select all objects in the project.

Click Edit: Select None to deselect all selected objects in the project.

Drag the mouse over the object(s) you want to select. Depending on your File: Preferences settings, all objects touched by the rectangle formed by the dragging action or only those enclosed by the rectangle will be selected.

  Copying

  Pasting

  Removing unwanted elements

  Adjusting an object’s shape

  Animating an object

  Working with Objects


Adjusting the overall view

Zooming There are three ways to zoom in or out in the project:

Click View: Zoom and select the zoom level from the resulting submenu.

On the Zoom tool Attribute toolbar, drag the zoom slider to the desired level.

On the Tool panel, click [image] to increase magnification by one level or [image] to zoom out..

Press the and - keys on the keyboard to zoom in or out respectively.

Resizing the window To quickly resize a window, there are three commands you can try:

Click View: Actual View [image], to resize the frame and window to its 1x magnification.

Click View: Fit in Window [image] to resize the frame and window to the largest size that will fit in the current window without scrollbars.

Click View: Fit in Window By to resize the frame and window to a selected magnification that will fit in the resulting window without scroll bars.

  Managing Projects


Adjusting an object's shape: Object tool
Adjusting an object's shape

  Object tool	  Envelope tool
  Adjust tool

The Object tool allows you to resize and reshape an object by dragging control points around the object.

1.	Click the Object tool [image] and select the object you want to alter.

2.	Click one of the tools you can use to change an object’s shape on the Attribute toolbar and then click and drag a control point to the desired location.

  Working with Objects


Adjusting an object's shape: Adjust tool
Adjusting an object's shape

  Object tool	  Envelope tool
  Adjust tool

The Adjust tool allows you to actually change the outline shape of an object by dragging its individual nodes and their control lines, and the object’s outline.

1.	Click the Adjust tool [image] on the Tool panel.

2.	Click the Add Nodes button [image] on the Attribute toolbar to add nodes by clicking on the outline of the object with the cursor.

3.	To subtract nodes, click the Subtract Nodes button [image] on the Attribute toolbar and click the nodes you want to delete.

4.	Click a node or line and drag it to the desired shape.

  Working with Objects


Adjusting an object's shape: Envelope tool
Adjusting an object's shape

  Object tool	  Envelope tool
  Adjust tool

The Envelope tool adjusts the object according to changes in its envelope.

1.	Click the Envelope tool [image] on the Attribute toolbar to get an envelope around the selected object.

2.	Click a node on the outline of the envelope and drag it to the desired shape.

  Working with Objects


Animating an object: Motion
Animating an object

  Motion	  Color
  Size and orientation

1.	Select the object you want to animate.

2.	If not already active, click the Moving Path tool [image] to make it active. The selected object shows two moving path nodes at the starting point.

3.	 Click the Ending node (the one with a small E beside it) and drag it to where you want the object to be at the end of the animation.

4.	To curve the path, click the line and drag it to the desired shape. (You can also click either node and drag the node control lines.) For control over how the lines reshape, click the desired node controls.

5.	To add nodes to the path, click [image] and then click the path where you want to add the nodes. Then adjust the path according to step three for the progress between nodes.

6.	To make a straight line segment curved or a curved one straight, click the node where that segment terminates and then click the desired node type button.

7.	To control the object’s movement, drag the Time Control Panel frame play bar to the frame where you want to place the object and click [image].  Then, drag the object to the place in the frame that you want it to be located at that time. (Objects can move forward and backward along the path.)

  Moving path example

  Applying Effects


Animating an object: Size and orientation
Animating an object

  Motion	  Color
  Size and orientation

1.	Select the object you want to animate.

2.	If not already active, click the Moving Path Tool [image] to make it active.

3.	Drag the Time Control Panel frame play bar to the frame where you want to place the object to stop or modify its change and click [image].

4.	Click the resize [image] or rotate [image] tool and change the object as desired.

  Size and orientation example

  Applying Effects


Animating an object: Color
Animating an object

  Motion	  Color
  Size and orientation

1.	Select the object you want to animate.

2.	If not already active, click the Moving Path Tool [image] to make it active.

3.	Drag the Time Control Panel frame play bar to the frame where you want to change the object styles and click [image].

4.	Click [image] on the Standard Toolbar to display the Object Style Panel and change the settings as desired. There are two ways you can change the styles, instantaneously and gradually. For instant changes, make sure the method you use for a color or other attribute is different at each keyframe. For gradual changes, make sure the method for a color or attribute is identical at the starting and ending keyframes for that change.

  Object styles example

  Object Style Panel

  Applying Effects


Creating a shadow

1.	Select the object you want to add a shadow to.

2.	Click the Shadow tab of the Object Style Panel.

3.	Click the desired shadow method.

4.	Depending on the selected method, set the offsets, intensity, and other attributes for the shadow.

  Object Style Panel

  Applying Effects


Filling objects with color

1.	Select the object you want to fill.

2.	Click the Color tab of the Object Style Panel.

3.	Click the desired Fill method.

4.	Click the Color Preview Cell to assign a color, pattern, or texture to the fill.

  Object Style Panel

  Magic Texture dialog box

  Magic Gradient dialog box

  Applying Effects


Assigning line attributes to objects

1.	Select the object you want to assign line attributes to.

2.	Click the General tab on the Object Style Panel and set the line’s thickness, as well as the cap  [image] and joint  [image]  settings.

3.	Click the desired Line method.

4.	Click the Color Preview Cell to assign a solid color or a range of colors to the line.

  Object Style Panel

  Magic Gradient dialog box

  Applying Effects


Changing the selected texture

1.	On the Color tab of the Object Style Panel, click the Texture Fill method [image].

2.	The Magic Textures dialog box opens. Click one of the sample textures to place it at the center making it the selected one.

3.	Repeat Step 2 until the center texture matches the one you want, then click OK.

Note: You may find after a little experience that you can predict how the textures will change depending on which texture you click.

  Object Style Panel

  Magic Texture dialog box

  Applying Effects


Using the Production Library

To organize your project and for quick access to objects, styles, and other animation settings, the Production Library offers the following:

To add your frequently used objects, styles, moving path, or envelope settings, right-click the selected object and then click Add [  ] to Production Library.

To add a CG Infinity project to the Production Library, click File: Save and select the Save to Production Library option. Click Library to find the folder for adding. You can then use this project in Video Editor by clicking Media Library from the list of galleries.

To search for thumbnails, click [image] and select Search from the pop-up menu to open the Search dialog box and specify what to search for.

To display more information about items in the Thumbnail Pane, click [image] for any annotation.

To edit a thumbnail’s property, select it and click [image]. From the pop-up menu, click Properties.

To customize the Production Library’s layout, click [image] and from the pop-up menu, click Preferences.

To sort thumbnails, click [image] and select Sort from the pop-up menu.

  Working with Objects


Adding a background to the project

You may assign a single color, image file, or video file to use as a background. By adding a background similar (or the same) as the video the project you are creating is intended for, you will gain a better perspective of how your completed video will look.

1.	Click View: Background to open the Background dialog box.

2.	Select the desired background for your project. When selecting a video or image file, click Select to browse your system for the desired file.

3.	If a selected image or video file is not the same size as the project’s frame, select any options for resizing or placing the file.

4.	Click OK.

Note: CG Infinity does not change files selected as backgrounds in any way. If you move or delete a file used as a background and then open a CG Infinity project, you will receive a message of missing link(s).

  Background dialog box

  Managing Projects


Positioning still objects

To move a still object from its current position simply click the Object tool [image] and then select and drag the object to its new location. For greater precision when placing the object, you can use the grid or guide lines to help you.

Using a grid Click View: Grid to show the grid. Then click Edit: Snap to Grid to force objects to the nearest grid point.

Using guides Click View: Guides to show guide lines. To add guide lines, click View: Ruler and drag from the ruler to where you want to add a line. To move an existing line, click and drag it to the desired location.

  Grid & Guide Options dialog box

  Working with Objects


Changing the order of overlapping objects

The Edit menu has five commands for reordering objects on layers. The object on the highest layer always appears above objects on lower layers:

Click Edit: Bring to Front to bring a selected object to the very top layer.

Click Edit: Bring Forward to move the selected object up one layer.

Click Edit: Send Backward to move the object down one layer.

Click Edit: Send to Back to send the selected object to the bottom layer.

Click Edit: Reverse to send the highest selected object to the lowest layer and the lowest to the highest layer, changing all other selected objects accordingly.

  Working with Objects


Viewing video files

Immediately after creating When creating a new video file from CG Infinity, in the Create Video File dialog box, click Options. Then, on the CG Infinity tab, select “Play after creating.”

Existing file Click File: Media Player to start Windows Media Player. Then from Media Player, click File: Open and search your system for the desired video.

  Managing Projects


Customizing CG Infinity

There are several things you can do to configure CG Infinity to suit the way you like to work:

Click File: Preferences to open the Preferences dialog box. This dialog box has tabs for setting how to make selections, control memory usage, set and calibrate your display, and other items.

Click View: Toolbars and Panels to turn tooltips on or off, show or hide toolbars and panels, and control the appearance of buttons.

Click View: Color Palette to select how the color palette appears.

Click View: Ruler to show a ruler along the top and left sides of a project window.

Click View: Guides or View: Grid to show guide lines or a grid to aid in placing objects in the project. (Click View: Grid and Guide Options to control their appearance.

Define new Object Style Panel settings to change the default style when no objects are selected.

  Object Style Panel

  Preferences dialog box

  Toolbars & Panels dialog box

  Grid & Guide Options dialog box

  Managing Projects


Changing a project's standard properties

To change the frame rate, frame size, duration, and pasteboard area of an existing project, open the project in the workspace and click File: Properties. In the resulting dialog box, assign the new properties to the project. CG Infinity automatically adjusts the project to the new settings.

  Properties dialog box

  Managing Projects


Working efficiently

Many of the things you do in CG Infinity require a lot of memory or other resources. Here are some tips and ideas to help you work faster and more efficiently:

Wireframe mode Unless you need to see the colors for the objects you are editing, work in wireframe mode. CG Infinity requires much less time and memory for redraws and instant previews in wireframe mode.

Frame size Create your project using a smaller frame size than you need for the finished project. Then, when you are ready to finish and fine tune your project, click File: Properties to increase the frame size.

Placing objects Use the ruler, grid and guide lines to accurately place objects in the frame. The commands for these items are on the View menu.

Moving paths Always do your moving paths first, before Object Style Panel changes and size or orientation changes. Do size and orientation next and do object style changes last.

Production Library Save frequently used objects, attributes, and moving paths in the Production Library for easy retrieval. Assign them meaningful names and thumbnail images so you can remember them.

  Properties dialog box

  Add To Library dialog box

  Managing Projects


Previewing results

Animations To preview an animation, click Play [image] on the Time Control Panel for an instant playback. Unless you want to see how the colors appear, view the preview in Wireframe mode for faster performance. If you want to see how the project will look when played as a video file at its actual speed, click File: Create a Video File and make sure the “Play after creating” option in the Video Save Options dialog box is selected.

Stills To view objects appearances at a particular point in the animation, in the Time Control Panel, drag the time slider to the position you want to see. Select or clear View: Wireframe to switch between seeing a full color preview or just the outlines of the objects.

  Managing Projects


By adding a background similar (or the same) as the video the project you are creating is intended for, you will gain a better perspective of how your completed video will look.


If you want to open a file that you recently edited, it may appear on the Recent Files list at the bottom of the File Menu. If so, simply clicking its name will open the file in the workspace. To control how many filenames are listed in this area, click File: Preferences.


If you previously saved the project and want to avoid the Save As dialog box, simply click File: Save [image] to update your file.


The Video Save Options dialog box contains four tabs where you can review and change the compression, frame size and rate, and other settings.


Depending on your Preferences settings, you may only need to touch each object to select it or to fully enclose the object in the rectangle you create as you drag.


The total number of consecutive undo steps you can perform is set in the File: Preferences dialog box.


To switch to compact view or change palettes, click View: Color Palette - Compact or right-click with the Ctrl key to display the popup menu and select the desired palette.


To spin an object for several revolutions, simply drag the control point past its original position several times or look in the Rotation Angle text box. Remember that 360 is equal to one complete revolution.


Object Style Methods

These are the methods on the Object Style Panel:

Transparency

Fill color

Line color

Gradient line color method

Shadow

Extrude shadow gradient fill


To control the appearance and spacing of the grid and guidelines, click View: Grid and Guide Options.


Working with transparency: Static
Working with transparency

  Static	  Motion

By setting a static transparency, the object can not become less transparent at any time during the animation. This method of setting transparency is best used to make sure you do not make the selected object too “solid” at any point in the project.

1.	Select the object you want to make transparent.

2.	Click the General tab and of the Object Style Panel click the desired transparency method.  . Then adjust the transparency option according to the selected method.

Note:  Certain Shadow tab styles also have transparency options.

  Object Style Panel

  Gradient Transparency dialog box

  Applying Effects


Working with transparency: Motion
Working with transparency

  Static	  Motion

To vary the transparency of an object as it animates, drag the fade controls up or down. The higher the control, the more transparent the object will be.

  Applying Effects


Creating new objects: Text
Creating new objects

  Text	  Freehand
  Fixed shapes	  Line segments

Click the Text tool [image] then click the project and where you want to add text and start typing. To add a second line in the same object, press Enter.

Changing the style Highlight the text that you want to change and apply the new style. The change only applies to highlighted text. If nothing is highlighted, the change applies to new text that you enter.

Changing alignment, kerning, and line spacing Select the text object and change the setting. The entire object changes. If nothing is selected, the change applies to newly added text objects.

Moving text Click the Object tool [image] to move a text object in the frame. To put text on a moving path, click the Moving Path Tool [image].

Reshaping text You can only reshape text using the Envelope [image] or Object [image] tools.

  Tool Panel - Text Tool

  CG Infinity Basics


Creating new objects: Fixed shapes
Creating new objects

  Text	  Freehand
  Fixed shapes	  Line segments

1.	Click the Shape tool [image] then click the shape you want from the Attribute toolbar.

2.	Click and drag over the project to create a shape for the object.

3.	Before releasing the mouse button, press the Shift key to resize the object while keeping the aspect ratio. Pressing the Control key while dragging in one direction locks the object’s dimension in the opposite direction.

  Tool Panel - Shape Tool

  CG Infinity Basics


The size of the bounding box for the shape determines the outer dimensions of the shape. Once a shape has been placed, you may use any of the editing and style tools to enhance or modify it.


Creating new objects: Freehand
Creating new objects

  Text	  Freehand
  Fixed shapes	  Line segments

Click the Freehand tool [image] then draw the desired shape in the project.

When you finish your shape, click one of the Path Controls to end the drawing:

Leave the shape open Click to stop drawing a path shape and leave the shape open-ended. Open ended shapes cannot be filled.

Close the shape Click to join the current endpoint of the line being drawn with the starting point. This closes the shape, enabling you to fill it.

  Tool Panel - Freehand Tool

  CG Infinity Basics


Creating new objects: Line segments
Creating new objects

  Text	  Freehand
  Fixed shapes	  Line segments

Click the Path tool [image] and then draw the desired shape in the project. To add a straight line, just click at a point where you want to add a node. To draw a freeform (curved) line, click and drag. When you finish your shape, click one of the Path Controls to end the drawing:

Straight lines Click the Line Node control then click and drag on the project to place the node.

Curved lines To add a curved line, click the Curved Node control and then click and drag on the project to control the curvature.

Open Path Click to stop drawing a path shape and leave the shape open-ended. Open ended shapes cannot be filled.

Close Path Click to join the current endpoint of the line being drawn with the starting point. This closes the shape, enabling you to fill it.

  Tool Panel - Path Tool

  CG Infinity Basics


Moving path example

To preview the object’s movement, click  [image].

Click above for more information about key items. Because we were only concerned with how the shape moved, we did all our work in Wireframe mode.


Moving path example procedure

1.	After creating the star, we switched to the Moving Path Tool [image] and dragged the ending point to the bottom right corner of the frame.

2.	Then we clicked Add Node [image] on the Attribute toolbar and added a node in the middle of the path.

3.	Next we clicked Adjust Moving Path [image] and dragged the path to the shape we wanted. (We could have selected a node instead and dragged their control line.)

4.	Then we set our keyframes in the path by dragging the slider to the key frames for the motion. We added three keyframes; two somewhere in the middle of the path and one at the end.

5.	We clicked the first keyframe and then dragged the star to the peak of the first arc. Then we clicked the next keyframe and dragged the star to the peak of the first arc. This allowed us to keep the star stationary for the time between those keyframes.

6.	We clicked the last keyframe and placed the star at the end of the path.

  Showing Examples


Size and orientation example

To preview how the object changes its size and orientation, click [image].

Click above for more information about key items. Because we were only concerned with how the shape moved, we did all our work in wireframe mode.


Size and orientation example procedure

1.	After creating the star, we switched to the Moving Path Tool [image] and dragged the slider to the opposite end and added a keyframe.

2.	Then we clicked the Rotate tool [image] on the Attribute toolbar and spun the star several times.

3.	Next we clicked the Resize tool [image] and shrunk the star. (We pressed Shift as we did this to keep the correct length and height relationship.)

  Showing Examples


Object styles example

To preview how the object changes from a simple image to a gradient one, click [image].

Click above for more information about key items. Because we were concerned with how the shape appeared, we did all our work in color mode. This slowed down the performance, but gave us a more accurate idea of how our finished project would look.


Object styles example procedure

1.	After creating the star, we switched to the Moving Path Tool [image] and dragged the slider to the end and added a keyframe. Then we added two additional keyframes in between the starting and ending keyframes.

2.	Next we clicked first keyframe and dragged the fade control point up to the desired level.

3.	Then we clicked the third keyframe and changed the color method from single to gradient. We clicked the Fill color preview cell and adjusted the gradient to be a solid color.

4.	Finally, we clicked the last keyframe and clicked the Fill color preview cell to change the gradient colors.

  Showing Examples


This is the starting point for the path.


This is an added node.


This is the ending point for the path.


This is the first keyframe in the path. It is red because it also corresponds to the current frame being shown in the workspace.


These are the second and third keyframes in the path. They are used to place the star stationary at the peak of the first curve.


This is the last keyframe. It places the star at the end of the path. (This mark is optional for this path.)


This is the condition of the star at some point in between the third and fourth keyframes.


This is the starting point. The transparency at this point has been increased to allow the star to fade into the video.


This is the second keyframe. It identifies the point in the animation where the star becomes fully opaque.


This is the third keyframe. Here we changed the color to a gradient and method. Because of the change in color methods, the color changes abruptly from black to red.


This is the last keyframe. Here we changed the gradient palette ramp. Since the color method is the same, the gradient changes gradually instead of suddenly.


These are control points around the star. Depending on which button on the Attribute toolbar is pressed, the number and locations of control points may vary. Click and drag a control point to change the object.


This is the ending point for the path. Here we resized the star to be very small and spun it several revolutions.


Managing memory

1.	Click File: Preferences.

2.	Click the Memory tab.

3.	Enter folder names for storing temporary information. (Do not specify two temporary folders in the same drive or partition.)

4.	Select Limit hard disk usage to, and set a value to have Ulead programs limit disk space used while running. Clear to use Windows defaults.

5.	Select Limit RAM usage to, and set a value to have Ulead programs limit RAM used while running. Clear to use Windows defaults.

6.	Click OK.

  Preferences dialog box

  Managing Projects


Calibrating the display

1.	Click File: Preferences.

2.	Click the Display tab.

3.	Select Monitor gamma.

4.	Raise or lower the gamma value until the gray box looks something like this:

Note: Increase your distance from the monitor to about six feet, (2 m), to make the pattern in the upper rectangle less apparent.

5.	 Click OK.

  Preferences dialog box

  Managing Projects


Changing the Default Window's display
Changing the Default Window’s display

1.	Right-click the Default Window and click: Properties to open the Properties dialog box.

2.	Specify the object style for the test image by clicking the General, Color, and Shadow tabs and defining the settings for each category.

3.	Select the type of test image for the defined object style.

4.	Click Add if you want to add this to your Default Styles folder in the Production Library for quick access.

5.	Click OK to close the dialog box.

  Properties dialog box

  Managing Projects


Welcome to CG Infinity Help
Welcome

Welcome to CG Infinity Help. In addition to this introduction, this document contains these sections to help you learn.

  Using CG Infinity  Offers instruction on completing single tasks.

  Reference  Describes menu commands, the workspace, and dialog boxes. It also has an advice section and a complete set of shortcut keys for your reference.

  Contacting Ulead  How to contact Ulead Systems when you need advice or have comments.


What is CG Infinity?

CG Infinity is a 32-bit powerful character generation program for producing high-quality animated titling. With this program, you can simultaneously handle multiple title clips with multiple views. Designed primarily for adding perfectly anti-aliased text overlays on video, CG Infinity also provides vector drawing tools for designing animated objects. Title and object creation are time-based, giving you total control over the movements and attributes of multiple objects. CG Infinity supports scaling, rotation, velocity, pivoting and movement along curved paths with perfect anti-aliasing for high-quality video effects. It can also produce frame-based or field-based titles or graphic animations for direct import into the Video Editor timeline, and also supports direct output of vector graphics as images. Definitely one of the best titling programs ever developed.


Reading this Help

This help contains several aids to make navigating through topics easier.
  Jumps to the shown topic.
  Pops up extra information to enhance understanding.
  Jumps to a topic describing the listed dialog box.
  Pops up tips or advice to help you work more efficiently.

You can also access the other helps included in your package by clicking Other Modules on any main page button bar.


CG Infinity Basics

  Creating a new project
  Opening a file
  Saving a project file
  Saving a video file
  Saving an image file
  Creating new objects: Text
  Creating new objects: Fixed shapes
  Creating new objects: Freehand
  Creating new objects: Line segments
  Importing images to your project
  Recovering from mistakes
  Using the Production Library
  Quitting CG Infinity


Managing Projects

  Customizing CG Infinity
  Working efficiently
  Managing memory
  Calibrating the display
  Adjusting the overall view
  Organizing the workspace
  Adding a background to the project
  Changing a project’s standard properties
  Previewing results
  Viewing video files
  Changing the Default Window’s display


Working with Objects

  Selecting objects
  Copying: Clipboard
  Copying: Duplicating
  Pasting
  Removing unwanted elements: Objects
  Removing unwanted elements: Motion
  Removing unwanted elements: Background
  Adjusting an object’s shape: Object tool
  Adjusting an object’s shape: Adjust tool
  Adjusting an object’s shape: Envelope tool
  Using the Production Library
  Changing the order of overlapping objects
  Positioning still objects


Applying Effects

  Filling objects with color
  Assigning line attributes to objects
  Changing a selected texture
  Working with transparency: Static
  Working with transparency: Motion
  Animating an object: Motion
  Animating an object: Size and orientation
  Animating an object: Color
  Creating a shadow


Showing Examples

  Moving path example
  Size and orientation example
  Object styles example


Standard Toolbar

The Standard toolbar contains frequently needed commands and tools to make working with CG Infinity faster and easier. You may dock it along any edge of the workspace, or drag it anywhere on your desktop as a floating toolbar. Click above to find out more about each button.


Color Palette

The Color Palette provides a central location for selecting colors for lines, fills, and shadows. By clicking the panel, you can choose the desired color for the fill. If you press Shift as you click, you will change the shadow color. If you press Ctrl as you click the panel, you will change the line color.


Production Library

The Production Library works as a resource center where you can store and conveniently access regularly used objects, styles, and animation settings. Adding them to the Production Library saves time in defining object settings everytime you start a new project. By mixing effects and moving paths, you will be able to produce a lot of different kinds of animation. For more information, click the image above.

  Using the Production Library


Tool Panel - Object Tool
Tool Panel

The Object Tool

Allows you to transform, resize, and move objects in the workspace. To move an object, simply click anywhere inside the selected object except on a control point an drag it to the desired location. Otherwise, click a control point or enter a value in the Attribute toolbar text boxes to change the attributes of the selected object. Click the Attribute toolbar below to learn more about the functions it provides.


Tool Panel - Shape Tool
Tool Panel

The Shape Tool

Allows you to add fixed shaped objects to the project. The Attribute toolbar provides controls for changing the shape, size, and method of creating the shapes. Click below for more information.


Tool Panel - Freehand Tool
Tool Panel

The Freehand Tool

Allows you to draw shapes into the project using your mouse as a pen. To draw a shape, simply drag the mouse over the project. When you want to finish the shape, click one of shape controls on the Attribute toolbar. The Attribute toolbar provides two different controls for the type of freehand shape you create. Click below for more information.


Tool Panel - Envelope Tool
Tool Panel

The Envelope Tool

Allows you to stretch objects based on the positions of nodes around the outer dimensions. Depending on the node placement, length, and orientation of the control lines around the envelope, the object can be distorted. There are four different models that can be used for changing the envelope of an object. You can resize and reshape the envelope by dragging the nodes.


Tool Panel - Eyedropper Tool
Tool Panel

The Eyedropper Tool

Allows you to select colors for lines, fills, and shadows by clicking on an open image or video in the workspace. The Attribute toolbar contains 16 color blocks where you can store the most oftenly used colors for easy retrieval. By using the Eyedropper tool and its Attribute toolbar, you can hide the Color Palette and increase the amount of available space in the workspace for viewing and editing your project.


Tool Panel - Adjust Tool
Tool Panel

The Adjust Tool

Allows you to alter the path of shape and freehand objects. By adding, deleting, moving, and changing nodes and their control lines, the shapes can take on new dimensions and characteristics. The options toolbar contains two types of controls for reshaping objects. The first type allows you to add, delete, select, and move nodes. The second allows you to change the characteristics of nodes. Click below for more information.


Tool Panel - Path Tool
Tool Panel

The Path Tool

Lets you draw new shape objects into the project as line segments. Unlike the Freehand tool, the shape you create is dependent on the placement of nodes, their types (curved or linear) and whether you drag or click on the project. For some guidelines to follow when adding an object with the Path tool, click here [image].


Add Line When adding a linear node, clicking on the project places a straight line segment connecting to the previous node. Clicking and dragging allows you to move the node to a different location and keep the line.

Add Curve When adding a curved node, clicking on the project places a curved line connecting to the previous node. Clicking and dragging allows you to control the curve.

When you finish adding nodes, click one of the Path controls to create the object.


Tool Panel - Moving Path Tool
Tool Panel

The Moving Path Tool

Allows you to determine how a single object changes over time when the project plays as a video or animation. By positioning the start and end locations for an object, adding marks, and changing the objects size, rotation, and Object Style Panel properties, you can add fancy transitions and sophisticated motion to the project.


Tool Panel - Text Tool
Tool Panel

The Text Tool

Allows you to add text and other text-based characters to a project. Any TrueType font installed in your system can be included in your projects. If you wish to edit the project on several different machines, (or load a CG Infinity UCG file into the timeline of Video Editor), the font must be included on all machines. Once you create a video file, the font is no longer required for the video to play back properly. Click below for more information.


Tool Panel - Zoom Tool
Tool Panel

The Zoom Tool

Offers ways to view the project quickly. Besides two buttons for quick resizing to commonly needed sizes, the zoom slider allows you to quickly change the magnification to a custom setting. Click below for more information.


Object Style Panel - General
Object Style Panel

The Object Style Panel controls the colors and appearance of objects in your project. It classifies the attributes you can assign into each tab.

Click below for more information about each tab.

The General Tab assigns outer line thickness and other attributes that contribute to how well the object blends or merges into the background.


Object Style Panel - Color
Object Style Panel

The Object Style Panel controls the colors and appearance of objects in your project. It classifies the attributes you can assign into each tab.

Click below for more information about each tab.

The Color Tab assigns fill and line colors to the object.


Object Style Panel - Shadow
Object Style Panel

The Object Style Panel controls the colors and appearance of objects in your project. It classifies the attributes you can assign into each tab.

Click below for more information about each tab.

The Shadow Tab assigns a color and style for a shadow around the object.


Time Control Panel

The Time Control Panel allows you to accurately define the timecodes of an object’s path to follow as the animation progresses when using the Moving Path Tool. By placing marks along the timecode, you can fine tune the speed at which the object move and how it changes, including changing size, color, rotation, and transparency.


File Menu - Contents
File Menu

  New	  Create Video File
  Open	  Create Image File
  Restore	  Import Vector File
  Close	  Preferences
  Save	  Properties
  Save As	  Recent Files
  Media Player	  Exit


Edit Menu - Contents
Edit Menu

  Undo	  Send Backward
  Redo	  Send to Back
  Clear Undo/Redo History	  Reverse
  Cut	  Align
  Copy	  Group
  Paste	  Ungroup
  Delete	  Select All
  Duplicate	  Select None
  Bring to Front	  Snap to Guides
  Bring Forward	  Snap to Grid


View Menu - Contents
View Menu

  Actual View	  Toolbars & Panels
  Zoom In	  Color Palette
  Zoom Out	  Title Safe Area
  Fit In Window	  Rulers
  Fit In Window By	  Guides
  Full Screen	  Grid
  Remove Menu Bar	  Grid & Guide Options
  Wireframe	  Background


Window Menu - Contents
Window Menu

  New Window	  Arrange Icons
  Cascade	  Close All
  Tile Horizontally	  Currently Open Files
  Tile Vertically


Help Menu - Contents
Help Menu

  CG Infinity Help	  Online Registration
  Ulead On The Web	  About CG Infinity


Switch Menu - Contents
Switch Menu

The Switch menu opens a menu listing other Ulead programs for easy access. Click a name to invoke the corresponding program.


  Standard Toolbar

  Tool Panel

  Object Style Panel

  Time Control Panel

  Production Library

  Color Palette


  File Menu

  Edit Menu

  View Menu

  Window Menu

  Help Menu

  Switch Menu


File Menu dialog boxes

  New	  Create Image File
  Open	  Import Vector File
  Save As	  Preferences
  Create Video File	  Properties


Edit & View Menus dialog boxes

Edit Menu
  Paste Object Style	  Align
  Paste Moving Path

View Menu
  Toolbars & Panels	  Background
  Grid & Guide Options


  File Menu dialog boxes

  Edit Menu dialog boxes

  View Menu dialog boxes


Shortcuts

CG Infinity has many shortcuts that allow you to access commands and open dialog boxes without having to go through the menus.

Click here to view all shortcuts.


Shortcuts

CG Infinity has many shortcuts that allow you to access commands and open dialog boxes without having to go through the menus.

File Menu

Ctrl + N  --	Displays the New dialog box

Ctrl + O  --	Displays the Open dialog box

Ctrl + W  --	Closes a project file

Ctrl + S  --	Saves an existing project file

Alt+Enter  --	Displays the Properties dialog box

F6  --	Displays the Preferences dialog box

Ctrl + Q  --	Exits CG Infinity

Edit Menu

Ctrl + Z  --	Undoes the last applied command

Ctrl + Y  --	Redoes the previous action

Ctrl + X  --	Cuts a selection and places it onto the clipboard

Ctrl + C  --	Copies a selection onto the clipboard

Ctrl + V  --	Pastes the clipboard data into the current project as an object

Ctrl + A  --	Selects all objects in the current project

Del  --	Deletes a selection or object

View Menu

+  --	Resizes the image on the screen for better detail

 -  --	Resizes the image on the screen to see more of it at one time

Ctrl + U  --	Removes all program element on the screen except the current frame and floating toolbars and panels

Ctrl + D  --	Shows only the outline of each object in the project

Help Menu

F1  --	Opens the CG Infinity Help Contents dialog box

Miscellaneous

Double-click title bar  --	Maximizes or restores the active window

Double-click toolbar or panel title bar  --	Hides the toolbar or panel

Double-click any toolbar  --	Makes toolbar floating if docked or docks toolbar when floating

Double-click Status Bar  --	Opens the Preferences dialog box

Esc  --	Closes dialog boxes without making changes


This is the Glossary Help included in your package for better understanding of terms used in the help topics and also other related words. Click  [image]  to display the terms.

You can also access this help by clicking Glossary on any program’s main page button bar.


Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

4:4:4 Sampling	Bit	Color Channel
ADPCM	Bitmap	Color Model
Aliasing	Black and White	Color Table
Alpha Channel	Blue Screen	Complimentary Color
Amplitude	Brightness	Component Video
Analog	Burn	Composite Image
Animation	Channel	Composite Video
Anti-aliasing	Chroma	Compression
ASF	Chroma Subsampling	Contrast
Aspect Ratio	CinePak	Control Line
Averaging	Clip	Control Point
AVI	Clipboard	Cropping
Background Matte	Cloning	Cross-Fade
Bandwidth	CMYK	Curved Segment
Batch Capture	Codec	Cue
Bins	Color Calibration	Cusp Node


Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

Data Rate	Effects Animation	Frames Per Second
Data Type	Envelope	Gamma
Dedicated System	Export	Garbage Matte
Device Control	Fade	Graphics Files
Digital	File Format	Grayscale
Digitizing	Filter	Halftoning
DirectShow	Final Cut	HiColor
Dissolve	FireWire	HSB
Dithering	Flash Converter	Hue
DNLE	Flatbed	IEEE
Dodge	Flick	IEEE1394
DPI	Floating Selection	Image
Driver	Footage	Import
DV	Frame	Indexed Color
Edit Window	Frame Rate	Interleave
EDL	Frame Size


Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

Jaggies	Mask	Onionskin
Jog Control	Matte	On-line
Key Color	MCI	Overlay
Key Frame	MIDI	PAL
Linear Editing	MPEG	Parade
Linear Segment	MPEG1	Pixel
Link	MPEG2	Playlist
Lossless Compression	MPEG4	Plug-in
Lossy Compression	Node	Posterization
Luminance	Noise	PPI
Macro	Non-Linear Editing	Prime Colors
Mark In/Mark Out	NTSC	QuickTime
Marquee	Off-line


Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

Raster	Saturation	Subsampling
Reel Name	SECAM	Symmetric Node
Render	Sequence	Synthespians
Resolution	Shuttle Control	Textures
RGB	Smooth Node	Thumbnail
RealVideo	SMPTE	Timecode
Ripple	Sound Sweetening	Transition Effect
Rotoscoping	Source	Traveling Matte
Rough Cut	Storyboards	True Color
Sample Rate	Streaming
Sample Size	Stretching Frames


Glossary

To find out the definition of a term used in this help, click the appropriate button.

VCD	Virtual Sets	Waveform
Vector Graphics	VISCA	Wild Sound
Vector Scope	VLAN	Wireframe
VGA	Volume	Wire Removal
Video For Windows	VTR
Virtual Environment	Warping


4:4:4 Sampling

One of the various ratios of sampling frequencies used to digitize the luminance and color difference components (Y, B-Y, R-Y) or the RGB components of a video signal. In this particular ratio, there are always an equal number of samples of all components. RGB 4:4:4 is commonly used in standard platform computer-based equipment. TV recording and transmission systems are generally based on 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 sampling so the gains are minimal and could even be negated by the double conversion between sampling systems. Another variation is 4:4:4:4 sampling where a key signal sampled at 13.5 MHz is added.

(See also: Subsampling)


ADPCM

Adaptive Delta Pulse Code Modulation is a compression method used to compress audio files.


Aliasing

Jagged edges or “stepped” changes along the edges of curved or angled shapes due to the inability of a printer, screen display, or other output device to adequately reproduce the actual shape. This problem can be corrected through a process called anti-aliasing, where pixels along the edges of the shape are averaged with the background color to blend more smoothly into the image. The image on the upper left shows an example of aliasing.

(See also: Anti-aliasing)


Alpha Channel

A grayscale layer in some image or video files that serves to help isolate portions of the image or video for editing and enhancing. In digital video editing, the alpha channel is primarily used for overlays and mattes.

(See also: 4:4:4:4, Blue Screen, Keying, Overlays, Mattes)


Amplitude

The strength of a sound signal at a particular time. Amplitude ranges from -100% to 100%. An amplitude of 0 represents complete silence while the two extremes represent the strongest signal that can be reproduced without introducing unwanted distortion into the sound. The best recordings are those whose loudest sounds have amplitudes of exactly 100% (or -100%).


Analog

Wave signals carried over the air or recorded onto a magnetic tape that represent information, such as sound or pictures. The various peaks and troughs of this wave as well as the frequency or speed at which it travels account for the type of information it represents. An analog device can interpret or reproduce infinite differences in the signal it receives and is only limited by its ability to duplicate the information accurately. This contrasts with digital information which explicitly defines the characteristics of a signal with a specific and predefined numerical value.


Animation

The simulation of movement produced by rapidly displaying a series of sequential images.


Anti-aliasing

The process of removing jagged edges from a curved or angled shapes in images or text. This is averaging the pixels around the edges of shapes so that their colors are more similar to the background. For example, in this image, the letter on the left is aliased while the one on the right is anti-aliased.


ASF

Advanced Streaming Format is one of the formats developed by Microsoft that supports streaming of audio and video files over the network.

(See also: Streaming)


Aspect Ratio

The relationship of width to height for a given image or graphic. Keeping or maintaining the aspect ratio refers to the process of maintaining size relationships when either the width or height of an image or graphic is changed.


Averaging

A filtering process which takes the gray/color value of each pixel and averages it with the values of surrounding pixels. The value of each pixel is then replaced with the averaged value.


AVI

Audio-Video Interleave is a digital video file format designed specifically for the Microsoft Windows environment.


Background Matte

An image or group of images that serves as a backdrop for other images or animations in a video.

(See also: Garbage Matte)


Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data (information) transferred from one location to another in a specified period of time The higher the bandwidth, the greater the amount of information being transferred. Controlling bandwidth is one of the biggest issues associated with creating digital video as the speed of the hardware is not always fast enough to transfer the large amount of data required for reproducing smooth and accurate animation and sound.

(See also: Data Transfer Rate)


Batch Capture

Allows you to capture only the needed clip segments from a source footage based on the start and ending timecodes which you have defined for each clip. (To do batch capture, your capture card must have device control capabilities.)


Bins

A term used in conventional video and film making for the storage locations of recorded footage.


Bit

The unit of measure for the smallest element of a computer’s memory. In terms of multimedia, bits define the maximum number of divisions possible for storing different levels of information for every pixel or moment in an image, video, or sound file.

1-bit Only two divisions are possible. For images or video, each pixel can be either black or white. For sound, it can either be on or off.

8-bit 256 different levels of color or sound are possible.

16-bit 65,536 different levels of color or sound are possible.

24-bit Over 16-million different levels of color or sound are possible.


Bitmap

An image made up of a pattern of different colored dots or “pixels.” Also referred to as “Raster.”

(See also: Vector)


Black and White

The simplest kind of image data type, consisting of only black or white pixels. Shades of gray can be simulated through a process called dithering.

(See also: Dithering , Data Type)


Blue Screen

A technique by which selected colors (usually shades of blue or green) are removed or filtered from a video or image to allow an image on a layer below the blue-screened image to show through. Blue screen techniques are valuable for removing unwanted details from a completed video or to create virtual sets. Viewing a weather map behind the weather man on the evening news is one common use of a blue screen. Also referred to as Chroma Keying and Overlaying.

(See also: Overlay, Virtual Sets)


Brightness

A description of how much light appears to emanate from an image; also referred to as luminance. The two extremes of brightness are black (no light) and white (all light): black represents 0% brightness, while white represents 100% brightness.

(See also: Color Model, HSB)


Burn

A term from photography that refers to the process of making areas in a photograph that are too light darker.


Channel

One component of an audio, video, or image file that, when combined with others creates the desired image or sound produced by the computer. For example, most image files consist of three color channels, red, green, and blue. By varying the intensities of each of these channels and combining them, other colors can be produced.


Chroma/Chrominance

The color value of a video signal that represents the combined hue and saturation values of the shown colors. For NTSC and PAL signals the chrominance combines with luminance (brightness) to control the colors shown on screen.


Chroma Subsampling

A method of interpreting image data to compression by grouping and averaging color data over a block of pixels.


Cinepak

One of the widely used software codecs for PC video and CD-ROM. Users can benefit from it due to its cross-platform capability and extremely low CPU requirements. (Files can run in 486 PCs.) The disadvantage of using Cinepak is its image quality which is lower than many other codecs at the same data rates.

(See also: Codec)


Clip

Anything placed or intended to be placed into a video timeline as part of a larger project.


Clipboard

A temporary storage area shared by all Windows programs used to hold data during cut, copy, and paste operations. Whenever you place new data onto the clipboard, it immediately replaces the existing data.


Cloning

Replicating part of an image within the same image, or between different images.


CMYK

A popular color model for post-process printing. It uses subtractive colors (Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow) to create all the other colors. A fourth channel, Black is added to create varying shades of gray and black.

(See also: Color Model, RGB, HSB)


Color Calibration

Adjusting or correcting the colors of one device so that they accurately match and reproduce those of another. In MediaStudio, you can calibrate Video Capture and Video Editor to match the colors of your video sources.


Codec

A Compressor/decompressor is a software or hardware component that compresses video and audio data to minimize the file size and decompresses media files during playback. Most software codecs available today are used for compressing AVI and Apple QuickTime files. Depending on the capture card used, some hardware codecs can support formats like Motion-JPEG or DV.


Color Channel

Refers to one of the components of a color model. Different color models use different components to represent image colors. The RGB color model uses red, green and blue color component channels. The HSB color model uses hue, saturation and brightness color component channels. (Grayscale images can be thought of as single-channel images.)


Color Model

A method of describing the colors that can be shown in an image. Three of the most popular color models are RGB which combines red, green, and blue to form other colors, CMYK, which combines cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and HSB, which combines hue, saturation, and brightness.

(See also: CMYK, HSB, RGB)


Color Table / Color Palette

For indexed color images, the color table (or palette) lists and arranges all the available colors for that image as a reference. All pixels in the image refer to this list to determine how they appear.


Complimentary Color

The color that, when mixed with its opposite, will combine to create white. For example, the complimentary color to red is cyan.


Component Video

A video signal which separates luminance and chrominance into different parts. Betacam video employs a component video signal.


Composite Image

An image created by combining two or more images into one.


Composite Video

A video signal that combines luminance and chrominance. NTSC and PAL are examples of composite video.


Compression

A method of reducing file size for storage by finding or creating patterns of data that can be easily classified. There are two general categories of compression: “Lossless” and “Lossy.” Lossless compression reduces file size without any data loss. Lossy compression, on the other hand, discards data during compression, and may result in noticeable file degradation.


Contrast

The difference between light and dark values in an image. High contrast results in sharp transitions from light to dark, while lower contrast allows for more subtle transitions.


Control Line

A line connecting two control points when creating or editing a shape for an image’s outline or path for an animated sequence to follow.

(See also: Control Point)


Control Point

A point on the outline of a shape or path that can be dragged to another location to change the shape or orientation of the shape or path.


Cropping

A method trimming away unwanted image data by selecting only that portion you wish to retain and then deleting the remainder, resizing the image’s dimensions accordingly.


Cross-fade

A special effect in Video Editor that produces a natural audio mix in sound clips. The volume of an audio clip will smoothly fade out as the next audio clip starts to play.


Curved Segment

A junction with a rounded edge, or from which the segments extending from it are rounded or curved.

(See also: Linear Segment)


Cue

A timecode within a video project or a clip which has been marked for future reference. In Video Editor, you can use project cues to jump to specific parts of a project and use clip cues to easily align clips which are in different tracks.


Cusp Node

A node where you can move one control handle at a time to change the curve of a path on one side without affecting other.

(See also: Symmetric Node, Smooth Node)


Data Transfer Rate

The speed at which information passes between a storage medium (such as a CD ROM or hard disk), and a display device (such as a monitor or MCI device). The maximum rate of the playback system depends on the speed of its components: the CPU, the hard drive, and the display card.

(See also: Bandwidth)


Data Type

A digital representation used by computers to describe the amount of color information (in bits) contained in an image. The data type of an image controls the amount of information that the image can retain and therefore its displayed appearance.

(See also: Bit)


Dedicated System

Hardware and software built for a specific task and not for general purpose. This becomes very important in high-end editing to improve processing speeds as demands increase heavily.


Device Control

A software driver that allows programs to control video sources like the camcorder or VCR.


Digital

A data storage method where audio or image information is converted into a series of numerical values. These values, in turn, can be read by computers and reproduced on a computer monitor or over speakers.

(See also: Analog)


Digitizing

The process of converting analog input to a digital form so that it can be used by the computer.


DirectShow

Successor to Microsoft's Video For Windows and ActiveMovie. DirectShow allows the capture of video and audio files in formats which can be streamed over the Internet. It supports a wide variety of video/audio formats, which include AVI, DV AVI, MPEG, Apple QuickTime, WAV, and more.


Dissolve

A type of video transition effect where a clip on one video track (Va) gradually disappears to reveal a video clip on another track (Vb).

(See also: Transition Effect)


Dithering

Method of making images with limited colors available appear to contain more. Most notably for making Black & White images appear to contain near-continuous changes in tone (gray shades). By arranging pixels of different colors close together, dithering can simulate colors not directly supported by an image data type. The various dithering techniques differ in the way they calculate and arrange new pixel values.


DNLE

Digital Non-Linear Editing is a method of combining and editing multiple video clips to produce a finished product. DNLE offers random access to all source materials and all portions on the master tape at all times during the editing process.


Dodge

A term from photography that refers to the process of making areas in a photograph that are too dark lighter.


DPI

Dots Per Inch is a measure of screen, image and printer resolution that is expressed as the number of dots that a device can print or display per linear inch.

(See also: Resolution)


Driver

A program that handles control and communication with a hardware device.


DV

Digital Video with a capital "D" and a capital "V" stands for a very specific format of video, just like VHS or High-8. This format can be understood (played back, recorded) by your camcorder and also by your computer, if you have the proper hardware (capture card) and software (DV codec). The most exciting thing about DV is that it can be copied from your camcorder to your computer, and then back to your camcorder (after editing, of course) without any loss of quality.


EDL

Edit Decision List is a list of all clips, effects, and transitions in a video project included in a video project. The EDL clearly states the sources for all the clips, which portions of the clips are to be used, where in the final project they are to be used, and any transitions or other effects that will be applied. Many professional mixing consoles accept specially formatted EDLs to automate the final mix for a completed video project.


Edit Window

The window in the workspace where you can perform changes to an open file.


Effects Animation

Effects that have been painted on frames of video to create the illusion of interaction with the live-action elements, such as lasers, lighting, or ionization.


Envelope

A closed path that encloses the selection to which it belongs. Directly adjusting the envelope of a selection results in that selection being distorted accordingly to fit its boundaries.


Export

The process of sharing files between applications. When you export a file, the data is usually converted into a format that is recognizable by the receiving application. The original file remains unchanged.


Fade

A transition effect where the clip gradually disappears or appears. In video, the picture would gradually change to or from a solid color; for audio, the transition would be from full volume to complete silence or vice-versa.

(See also: Dissolve)


File Format

A file structure which defines the way information is stored. File formats can be as simple as an ASCII text or can be quite complicated such as TIFF and EPS.


Filter

An effect applied to an image or video, or sound that changes its appearance by altering the color pixel formation or sound quality.


Final Cut

The point at which the picture portion of the editing is complete. After the final cut, the only remaining task is to record the finished video to an output medium such as video tape or the hard disk.


FireWire

A standard interface used for connecting digital audio/video devices such as DV camcorders to computers. It is the trademarked name given by Apple Computers for the IEEE 1394 standard.

(See also: IEEE 1394 , IEEE)


Flash Converter

A device used to convert analog signals to digital signals. Through the flash converter, it is possible to convert frame(s) of video into data that can then be interpreted by computers.


Flatbed

A machine that is used to play films. With flatbeds modified to include a CCD (charged couple device) video camera, the film is played and then transformed into electrical signals that can be digitized directly to computer disk.


Flick

A fast preview where each frame is displayed sequentially without actually viewing them in the conventional manner.

(See also: Shuttle)


Floating Selection

A selected group of pixels that floats above the image until deselected and dropped onto the desired position on the image.


Footage

A length of recorded film intended for use in a larger project.


Frame

A single image in a video or animation sequence.


Frame Rate

The number of frames captured or displayed in one second of a video or animation sequence.

(See also: Frame)


Frame Size

The size of displayed images in video or animation sequences. If an image intended for the sequence is larger or smaller than the current frame size, it must be resized or cropped.

(See also: Cropping, Frame)


Frames Per Second (FPS)

The number of frames captured or displayed per second in video or animation sequences.


Gamma

The method of determining how the range of possible colors is portrayed on a screen.


Garbage Matte

Animated mattes that block out unwanted objects captured during the original photography.

(See also: Background Matte)


Graphics Files

A file whose data is composed largely of vector graphics. Vector graphics do not have a basic component, like a pixel, but are defined as lines between points, and fills between lines.


Grayscale

An image data type containing a maximum of 256 different shades of gray. This normally means 254 different grays plus black and white.

(See also: Data Type)


Halftoning

A common form of dithering that uses patterns of black and white pixels to produce what appears to be shades of gray.

(See also: Dithering)


HiColor

A 16-bit image data type that can contain up to 65,536 colors. The TGA file format supports images of this type. Other file formats require prior conversion of a HiColor image into True Color. For displays, HiColor normally refers to 15-bit (5-5-5) display adapters that can display up to 32,768 colors.

(See also: Data Type, True Color)


HSB

A color model that specifies colors in a way that is easier for people to visualize than the RGB model. H represents the hue or basic color; S represents the saturation or purity of the color; and B represents the Brightness or amount of light the color appears to emit.

(See also: Brightness, CMYK, Color Model, Hue, Saturation; RGB)


Hue

The quality of a color that sets it apart from other colors with the same base. For example, yellow and orange are different hues.


IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a non-profit organization that sets and reviews standards for the electronics industry.

(See also: IEEE-1394)


IEEE 1394

A standard that allows high-speed serial connections between the computer and a DV camcorder, VCR or any kind of digital audio/video device. Devices conforming with this standard are capable of transmitting digital data at 100 megabits per second (at the least).

(See also: FireWire , IEEE)


Image

A digital picture shown as a collection of dots or pixels arranged on a page or screen.

(See also: Bitmap)


Import

The process of bringing data into one program from another. Once imported, the data may be altered to accommodate the new program without affecting the original file.


Indexed Color

A data type that includes a set or index of unique values assigned to each color or shade allowed in an image.

(See also Data Type)


Interleave

A process of arranging audio and video data during compression used to obtain smoother playback and synchronization.


Jaggies

Undesired jagged edges that appear around the edge of bitmapped objects and text; also referred to as “aliasing.”

(See also: Aliasing, Anti-aliasing)


Jog Control

(See Shuttle Control)


Keyframe

A specific frame in a clip that is flagged for special editing or other activities in order to control the flow, playback or other characteristics of the completed animation. For example, when creating a moving path, assigning a keyframe controls the movement of the object(s) along a path. When creating a video, assigning keyframes on parts where there are high data transfer requirements helps control how smoothly the video plays back.


Key Color

A color or range of colors in an image made transparent during an overlay effect to allow another image or clip to show through.

(See also: Blue Screen, Chroma Key, Overlay)


Linear Editing

Traditional editing done on a flatbed where the source film is fed in one side, marked, cut, and spliced, and then fed out the other end. It’s called linear because tape must be edited in the order it’s presented (as opposed to non-linear editing).

(See also: DNLE)


Linear Segment

A junction with a straight edge or from which the segments extending from it are straight.

(See also: Curved Segment)


Link

A method of storing previously saved information in another program without significantly affecting the size of the resulting file. Linking offers another advantage in that the original file can be modified in its original program and the changes will automatically be reflected in the program where it is linked.


Lossless Compression

A method of reducing file size without changing any data when the file is reopened.

(See also: Lossy Compression)


Lossy Compression

A method of reducing file size by selectively discarding nonessential data. The resulting files are smaller than those using lossless compression, but some information is permanently lost even after the file is reopened.

(See also: Lossless Compression)


Luminance

(See Brightness)


Macro

A tool for recording and automating repeated actions that you frequently perform. In Video Paint, macros are essential elements in creating sophisticated animations.


Mark In / Mark Out

The start and end timecodes that identify the portions of clips to be included in a video project.

(See also: Clip)


Marquee

An outline that identifies the edges of a selection area. Also referred to as “Bounding box.”


Mask

A selection area used to isolate a portion of an image while editing. By using a mask, you can protect parts of an image from unwanted changes.

(See also: Matte)


Matte

Opaque images that prevent exposure in a particular area of film and allow the blacked-out space to be filled in with another image or color.


MCI

Media Controller Interface is a software driver designed by Microsoft to allow audio and video files to be played in Windows. MCI devices also allow you to control compatible VCRs and Laser disk players using controls on your computer.


MIDI

Musical Instrument Device Interface is an industry standard file format for both hardware and software which allows musical instruments, synthesizers, and components to be linked together.


MPEG

Moving Picture Experts Group is an organization involved with defining standards for compressing video data for use on the PC. Also refers to the file format that utilizes the compression standards defined by this group.


MPEG-1

MPEG-1 generates very small media files yet provides excellent video and audio quality. It is a widely used standard for playing videos on the computer, especially on slower PCs (200MHz or less). MPEG is very CPU intensive, which means that your computer must work very hard to decode the video. MPEG-1 is limited by frame size and data rate. If you want to make VCDs, you must use this format and you must very carefully create whitebook standard files.

(See also: VCD)


MPEG-2

MPEG-2 is a much more flexible format and is capable of producing higher quality movies, but it is also only recommended for playback (and capture) on faster computers (350MHz and above). Although this is the format used in DVD movies, it is not possible at this time (Fall 1999) to record MPEG-2 files to a CD-R for playback on a stand-alone DVD player. By experimenting with data rates you should be able to create extremely high quality movies for playback on a PC with an appropriate MPEG-2 player software.


MPEG-4

MPEG-4 is a new MPEG standard currently under development (as of Fall 1999). Its design will be based on the QuickTime file format and will be intended for web video.


Node

A point where two line segments meet. In MediaStudio Pro, nodes determine specific points where images and paths can be reshaped, resized, or rotated.


Noise

Small audible or visual discrepancies that adversely affect audio and video files which have been recorded or captured incorrectly or with faulty equipment.


Non-linear Editing

(See DNLE.)


NTSC

National Television Standards Committee is an organization that defines the standards for television used in North America and Japan characterized by 30 frames per second and 525 scan lines per frame. This standard include restrictions on the range of colors available for displaying on television.


Off-line

Term used to refer to editing video away from the source material. Video Editor is an example of an off-line video editor.


Onionskin

Term used in rotoscoping (video painting) whereby layers are created to appear over a video. You can “peel” these layers away to reveal more layers or the underlying video. This is useful for obtaining a good idea of how an animation is progressing by viewing a series of still images laid over each other.


On-line

Term used to refer to editing directly with the source material in real-time. On-line editors generally consist of several tape machines which pass through a controlling device and the resulting video is output to another tape.


Overlay

The process of rendering part of one image transparent to allow a second image to appear through this transparent area.

(See also: Blue Screen, Chroma Key, Key Color)


PAL

Phase Alternation Line is the television standard used in Europe, Africa, and South America characterized by 25 frames per second and 625 scan lines per frame. This standard includes restrictions on the range of colors available for displaying on television.


Parade

Form of color model used by the Perception video capture board which defines color as Y, R-Y and B-Y (luminance, red minus luminance and blue minus luminance).


Pixel (or Pel)

The smallest component that makes up an image. Computer images are made up of rows of pixels, each of which can be a different color. This is usually used as the unit of measurement for an image. The term is derived from the shortening of the words “picture element” or “picture cell.”


Playlist

A list of items to be played back in a certain order.

(See also: EDL)


Plug-in

Plug-ins are additions to the programs of MediaStudio Pro that are not part of the standard package. They provide more capture features and add to the tools, filters or effects to expand the video editing options available.


Posterization

An image filter which reduces the number of colors in an image to produce a flat poster-like effect.


PPI

Pixels Per Inch is a unit of measure for determining the density of pixels in a bitmap image. For printing and displaying, this also determines the physical size of the image.


Prime Colors

The colors that are the basis of the RGB color model: red, green, and blue. By varying how these colors are blended, it is possible to create any other color.


Proxy File

A low-resolution copy of a video or image file that reduces system demands while performing previews of your video project in Video Editor.


QuickTime

A compression scheme developed by Apple Computer which allows you to compress video files. QuickTime files are referred to as movies and have an MOV extension.


Raster

(See Bitmap.)


Resolution

The resolution of an image determines the size of the individual pixels in an image, and thus the size of the whole image when printed or displayed. Resolution is shown in pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch (DPI).

(See also: DPI, PPI)


Reel Name

A name assigned to source video that aids in recalling where captured video clips came from. This information is particularly useful when doing batch capturing or referring to an EDL.


Render

The process of combining source information into a single file after applying transitions and other effects for output.


RGB

The model used in televisions and computer monitors to display color. By mixing varying amounts of red, green, and blue you can create other colors in the spectrum.

(See also: CMYK, Color Model, HSB)


RealVideo

Streaming technology developed by RealNetworks for delivering live video to users over the Internet. Media files of this format can be played using RealPlayer.


Ripple

The automatic adjustment of the times of all subsequent entries on the Video Editor timeline after adding a clip upstream.


Rotoscoping

Painting over a sequence of existing frames, one at a time, to create artificial effects.

(See also: Effects Animation)


Rough Cut

The initial edit of a video. Usually the rough cut is prepared quickly to offer an idea of how the finished project will appear.


Sample Rate

The number of audio samples recorded per second (measures in megahertz). Generally there are three rates: 11,025 MHz, (microphone quality) 22,050 MHz (radio quality) and 44,100 MHz (CD quality).


Sample Size

The amount of memory allocated to record audio data. You can choose between two types: 8-bit or 16-bit. 16-bit produces better quality but at twice the file size as 8-bit.


Saturation

The degree of a color’s purity. A color that is highly saturated will be more pure and appear stronger. Increasing a color’s saturation makes it appear quite vivid while reducing saturation makes the color seem washed out.


SECAM

Systém Électronic Pour Coleur Avec Mémoire. The television standard used in France, Russia, and Africa characterized by 25 frames per second and 625 scan lines per frame.


Sequence

Use Clip instead.


Shuttle Control

A control used to manually move backward and forward through a video or audio file.

(See also: Flick)


Smooth Node

A node where you can move the control handles independently from each other and still remain on a linear path when changing the curve of a path.

(See also: Cusp Node, Symmetric Node)


SMPTE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers is an organization based in the United States that makes recommendations for video standards to be adopted by the industry.


Sound Sweetening

Enhancing sound, for example by removing noise.


Source

Original data imported into another program as the basis for further editing or modification.


Storyboards

Graphic representations of shots done during pre-production or before filming to help the director and / or crew visualize how a shot is laid out.


Streaming

The process of sending multimedia files over the Internet. As a video or audio file is delivered over the Internet, the user can start viewing the content without waiting for the whole file to be fully downloaded.


Stretching Frames

A technique of enhancing action and excitement in a video sequence with slow-motion.


Subsampling

A method of interpreting image data to enhance compression by grouping and averaging color data over a block of pixels. Think of your image as groups of pixels arranged into blocks. Each square block contains four pixels. Without subsampling, each block requires twelve entries (12 bytes) to describe it, (three for each pixel). If we subsample using the 4-1-1 method, each pixel keeps its own brightness (H) value, but the color values (Cb and Cy) are each summed and then averaged. Each pixel in the block then uses this value, so the number of required entries for the block drops to six, (four brightness values and two color values.) The 4-2-2 subsampling method is a compromise between None and 4-1-1 and consists of eight entries, (four brightness, two for the first color channel, and two for the second color channel).


Symmetric Node

A node where you can move the control handles while keeping a fixed linear path and equal length for the preceding and succeeding nodes when changing the curve of a path.

(See also: Cusp Node, Smooth Node)


Synthespians

The contemporary slang term for unreal “actors.” Synthespians are entirely computer generated, though voice characterization may be done by real actors on a separate sound track.


Textures

Uniquely patterned bitmaps that can seamlessly be tiled together in an image to serve as a background or fill.


Thumbnail

A small, low resolution representation of an image.


Timecode

A method of identifying a specific frame’s location relative to other frames in a video. Its standard form is Hours:Minutes:Seconds: Frames.


Transition Effect

A process in which one video clip replaces another.


Traveling Matte

An animated shape that protects an area of each frame in a sequence from being changed while a special effect or transition progresses over the rest of the frame.


True Color

A graphics file format containing 24 bits of color information, yielding 16.7 million possible colors, or photographic quality.

(See also: File Format)


VCD

Video CD Disc is a special type of CD-ROM that contains a special video file in MPEG-1 format. This MPEG-1 file is not just any MPEG-1 file, but one that exactly follows a WhiteBook specification.


Vector Graphics

Images created based on actual shapes rather than individual pixels.

(See also: Graphics Files)


Vector Scope

A device which displays the color values of a video signal. Used primarily to calibrate video recorded on different machines to ensure accurate color reproduction on both.


VGA

Video Graphics Array is a type of display card that provides a standard resolution of 640x480 supporting 16 colors.


Video For Windows

Video For Windows (also known as AVI) is the first multimedia architecture developed by Microsoft. It is one of the most common formats for playing video files on the PC.

(See also: AVI)


Virtual Environment

A setting used in a video project that does not actually exist in the real world. By using images and photographs instead of building large and complex sets, you can save a lot of money and time. Also referred to as “Virtual Space.”


Virtual Sets

Term for movie sets that have a photorealistic quality but exist solely within a digital environment. Digitally created background mattes are a good example of virtual sets.


VISCA

A standard protocol used to control external video sources from a computer.


VLAN

An industry standard set of controls and or devices that allows you to connect video playback, recording, and other devices to a PC for performing linear or non-linear digital video editing.


Volume

How loud a sound seems. When the sound is very loud, the volume is considered to be high.


VTR

Video Tape Recorder is a device capable of recording visual information onto magnetic tape so that it can be played back and shown on a television display.


Warping

A method of distorting an image by moving control points on a grid from their original positions to a new position, thus causing distortion in the image.

(See also: Control Point)


Waveform

A visual representation of sound used to enhance editing in a digital environment.


Wild Sound

Sound clips intended for use with video that do not already have video to accompany them. This could, for example, include the sound of a train approaching that was recorded independently from the actual filming of the train or sound effects, such as thunder and lightning that cannot be planned and timed during the actual filming and must be added later.


Wipe

A video transition where the new picture appears to progressively slide over the original.


Wireframe

A shape or object that appears as a single or multiple lines that show its outline.


Wire Removal

The process of digitally removing wires, props, and other undesirable elements from a scene. Wire removal software has superseded the “garbage matte” process of conventional optics.


This help file contains topics about the Color palette. You can access these topics by placing your mouse over an item of interest and then pressing F1.


Color Palette tabs

Map Shows all available colors in the palette at one time.

Wash Limits the colors shown in the palette to a single hue with the full range of brightness settings for that color.

Swatch Offers a 64 variations of one of 16 basic colors

Custom Limits the total number of colors available to 256 colors (or less) based on an indexed color palette. You can load your own custom palettes or use the standard palette that comes with CG Infinity.


Palette Area

This shows the available colors for the selected palette tab. Click inside the large palette to select a fill color. Press Shift as you click to set the Shadow color. Press Ctrl as you click to set the line color.


Red / Green / Blue value

These are the color values of the individual color channels for the selected color. In Video Paint, you can enter in new values to change them instead of clicking the color palette.


Red / Green / Blue value

These are the color values of the individual color channels for the selected color.


Color Square

This is the currently selected color. Right click it to change the current color using Ulead or Windows Color Picker dialog box.


Basic Color

This is the basic color where 64 variations of it are displayed in the palette area. Click to display its variations in the palette area.


Hue Bar

Displays the full range of colors where you move the slider to change the range of colors to display in the palette area.


Basic Color

Displays 8 basic colors you can click to change the color in the Color Square and apply it to the object.


Next / Previous Page

Allows you to see the next/previous page of the palette.


Open Palette File

Replaces the current palette with a previously saved one.


Save Palette File

Opens the Save Color Palette dialog box to save the current palette for future projects.


Load Color Table dialog box

Look in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

View files as icons.

View files by names with statistics.

File name Type in a file name or select from the list of files displayed.

Files of type Select a particular file format for opening palette files.

Options Displays the open options dialog boxes for file formats that provide options. There are only few file formats that support open options.

Browse Click to find files or folders.


Open dialog box

Look in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

View files as icons.

View files by names with statistics.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for opening.

Files of type Select a particular file format for opening.

Subject Displays the subject assigned to the file (optional).

Description Displays the description of the file contents (optional).

Total frames Displays how many frames the selected video file contains.

Selected frame Specify the frame number in the video file to use as the first frame in the project.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selected file. Drag the slider to view other frames of the video file.

Info Click to open a dialog box containing information about the selected file.

Browse Search for files or folders.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Open dialog box

Look in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

View files as icons.

View files by names with statistics.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for opening.

Files of type Select a particular file format for opening.

File information Displays information about the selected file’s data type, size, and compression used, if any.

Preview window Displays a thumbnail preview of the selected image file.

Options Click to display the open options dialog box for file formats that provide options. There are only few file formats that support open options.

Browse Search for files or folders.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Thumbnail display mode

Toggles between displaying just the thumbnails or more information (any annotations) about them. It also provides space to add your own description or related information.


File directory

Lists the folders of the selected gallery. Right-click to create, rename, delete, copy, paste, save, or load folders. You can add personally designed effects to the Custom folder.


Thumbnail pane

Displays thumbnails of media clips. Click and drag a thumbnail to add it to your current project. Right-click and select Properties to view clip information.


Change Gallery

Displays the currently selected gallery. Click to switch to other galleries.


Production Library Menu

Displays a pop-up menu for editing, searching and sorting thumbnails or setting other properties.


Switch Menu

Opens a menu listing other Ulead programs for easy access.


Technical Support

Please prepare the following information before contacting us so we can offer you the best possible support:
  The program name and serial number.
  Nature of the problem.
  Any error messages or dialog boxes that appear when the problem occurs.
  System information including CPU, operating system, and any other programs running when the problem occurs.


How To Contact Us -- North & South America
How To Contact Us

North & South America

Tel: +1 310 523 9393
Fax: +1 310 523 9399
Address:
Ulead Systems, Inc.
970 West 190th Street
Suite 520
Torrance, CA 90502

E-mail:  info@ulead.com
URL:  http://www.ulead.com


How To Contact Us -- International
How To Contact Us

Headquarters	Europe
Tel: +886 2 2764 8599	Tel: +49 531 220 7920
Fax: +886 2 2764 9599	Fax: +49 531 220 7999
Address:	Address:
Ulead Systems, Inc.	Ulead Systems GmbH
10F, #45 Tung Hsing Rd. 	Wolfenbuetteler Str. 33
Taipei, Taiwan 110	38102 Braunschweig, Germany

E-mail:  info@ulead.com.tw	E-mail:  info@ulead.de
URL:  http://www.ulead.com	URL:  http://www.ulead.de
URL:  http://www.uleadasia.com
URL:  http://www.ulead.com.tw

Japan
Tel: +81 3 5491 5661
Fax: +81 3 5491 5663
Address:
Ulead Systems, Inc.
No. 202, TE Building, 4-5-16, Yohga,
Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0097, Japan

E-mail:  info@ulead.co.jp
URL:  http://www.ulead.co.jp


  North & South America

  International


Field-based videos, when viewed on the computer show unwanted horizontal lines. This is due to the interlacing of video for the TV screen. When the proper hardware is used, these horizontal lines disappear when shown on a television monitor.


Select Preview Image dialog box

Use the navigation buttons and slider to select a frame to be used as the preview image.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Add Image File dialog box

Look in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

View files as icons.

View files by names with statistics.

File name Type in a file name or select from the list of files displayed.

Files of type Select a particular file format for opening.

File properties Displays the file attributes of the currently selected file.

Preview Displays a thumbnail representation of the currently selected file.

Browse Click to find files or folders.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Video Save Options dialog box
Options dialog box

CG Infinity tab

Frame type Select Frame-based if you intend to output your video file only to your computer monitor. If you intend to output the video file to a conventional television screen, check your capture board’s field order reading capability and select the appropriate one.

Play after creating Select to watch the video immediately after it finishes saving.

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


This help file contains topics about the dialog boxes found in the Production Library. To access these topics, click the help button in the dialog box that opens when you select a command.


Preferences dialog box -- Production Library
Preferences dialog box

Thumbnail size Select the frame size to use in displaying the visual sample of all the contents inside a selected folder.

Show item name Select to display the name assigned to a thumbnail for easy identification.

Show border Select to place a border around the thumbnails to give some space between them. Clear if you want to save space in the display window and be able to see more thumbnails at one time.

Font Click to open the Font dialog box for specifying the type, style, size, and script of font to use in the Production Library's Thumbnail pane.


Sort dialog box - Production Library
Sort dialog box

Sort key order Select from the list box the item to use as basis in sorting the thumbnails in the folder.


Search dialog box - Production Library
Search dialog box

Find what Type a name to match in the search.

Direction Select whether to go down or up the list of thumbnails in the folder from the current position.

Find next Click to continue the search through the list to find the next match.


Load/Save dialog box - Production Library
Load/Save dialog box

Look in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

View files as icons.

View files by names with statistics.

File name Type in a file name or select from the list of files displayed.

Files of type Select a particular file format for opening palette files.

Subject Displays a pre-defined subject of the selected file.

Description Displays a brief description of the selected file.


Add To Library dialog box

Folder Displays the appropriate library folder for adding. Right-click to create, rename or delete a folder.

Thumbnail Displays the image representation of the file in the Production Library’s Thumbnail pane. Type a name for the thumbnail.

Annotation Type additional information about the file’s purpose.


Import Vector File

Allows you to include vector-based images to your project. You can load WMF and EMF images.

  Importing images to your project

  Open dialog box

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


Importing images to your project

1.	Click File: Import Vector File.

2.	Select an image type to load from the Files of types drop-down list.

3.	Scan through folders and locate the image file you want.

4.	Select the image file from the File list and click Open.

5.	Click Edit: Ungroup first if you want to edit the image or apply a style from the Production Library to the image.

  Open dialog box

  CG Infinity Basics


To add the imported image to the Production Library, right-click on the image and select "Add Object to Production Library". The image will be added to the Custom folder of the Production Library.

To add the styles used by the imported image to the Production Library, right-click on the image and select "Add Object Style to Production Library". If you have extremely complex images, you may not be able to add their styles to the Production Library.


Open dialog box

Look in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

View files as icons.

View files by names with statistics.

File list Displays names of files in the current folder.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for opening.

Files of type Select a particular file format for opening.

Open Click to load the selected image file.

  Importing images to your project

  Welcome to CG Infinity Help


File directory

Lists the folders of the selected gallery. Right-click to create, rename, delete, copy, paste, save, or load folders. You can add new objects, styles and personally designed effects to the Custom folder.


Thumbnail pane

Displays thumbnails of objects, styles and effects. Click and drag a thumbnail to add it to your current project. Right-click on a style or effect thumbnail and select Properties to change its attributes.


Restore

Opens a minimized window or panel.


Move

Allows you to change the position of a window or panel on the Windows desktop by using the arrow keys of your keyboard.


Size

Allows you to enlarge or reduce the width and height of a window or panel by using the arrow keys of your keyboard.


Minimize

Hides the window or panel.


Maximize

Displays the window or panel in full screen.


Close/Hide

Closes/Hides the window or panel.


Ulead On The Web

The commands in this submenu will bring you to various locations at the Ulead web site.


Ulead Homepage

Opens your Internet browser and takes you to Ulead's web site.


MediaStudio Pro Homepage

Launches your web browser and takes you to the MediaStudio Pro section of Ulead's web site.


Technical Support

Launches your web browser and loads the Technical Support section of Ulead's web site.


Online Registration

Opens Ulead Systems Registration Wizard which allows you to register your products through our web page or the e-mail internet connection. Registering your software ensures periodic updates of all our products.