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Preset: The architecture of a Flashback Preset
employs a hierarchical structure that divides tasks in generating an
animation frame into specific levels. At the top of this hierarchy
is the Preset, which can contain up to 4 Planes, a Mixer
configuration, and a list of post-Mixer Effects.
Planes: Planes are drawing surfaces that accumulate
an image through various modules' actions and can store either RGB
values or palette indices. Each Plane contains three types of
modules: Color Modules, Drawing Modules, and Overlay Modules. These
modules are categorized based on their functionality in the frame
generation pipeline. Planes are independent of each other and are
generated in parallel until they reach the Mixer module where they
are combined.
Color: Color Modules are responsible for managing
the color palette available to Drawing Modules and include Morpher
Modules, Generator Modules, and Color Effect Modules. Morpher
Modules handle color palette transitions and translate palette indices
into RGB values for both Overlay Modules and Planes before the
mixing process. Generator Modules create color palettes for use in
the animation, while Color Effect Modules apply various color
effects to a color palette, such as palette animation and color
filter effects.
Drawing: Drawing Modules comprise Full Draw
Modules, Painter Modules, and Effect Modules. Full Draw Modules
generate a complete image on the Plane's surface. Painter Modules
draw on or add elements to the existing contents of a Plane, while
Effect Modules modify the existing contents of a Plane to produce
various visual effects.
Overlay: Overlay Modules are like Drawing Modules
except that they are applied to the current frame but their
modifications do not persist to subsequent frames. They receive a
copy of the Plane resolved to RGB values.
Mixer: The Mixer module controls the process of
combining multiple Planes into a single image. It operates on Planes
that have been converted from palette indices to RGB values.
Within the Mixer UI, the user can select a Plane or Meta Plane from
a list, then select a mixing operation they want to perform and a
target plane for the operation if the operation requires one. This
combination of planes with an operation comprises a rule that can be
added to the list of mixing rules to create a numbered Meta Plane. A
Meta Plane can be used in additional mixing rules or displayed if it
is the last rule in the list.
Effects: Post-Mixer Effects are a list of effect
modules that are applied to the mixed image after the Mixer module
has combined the Planes into a single frame. These effects operate
on the final RGB image, allowing the user to make adjustments and
enhancements to the overall appearance of the animation.
Notes:
- All modules, irrespective of type, contain controls.
Controls can be set to a specific value, selected from a list of
options, generated randomly in a number of ways, or driven by
audio or periodic waveforms, allowing the user to have fine
control over the animation's visual appearance.
- Multiple modules can be added within a given module class,
including modules of the same type. The execution order of
the components within a preset follows their arrangement in the
TreeView, typically progressing from the top to the bottom.
However, Planes, which function independently of one another,
can be executed concurrently, allowing for better performance..
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