Procedural Compositing with Batch > Batch Processing > Assembling a Process Tree >

# Modifying Clips in Batch

You can modify a clip at any stage while building your effects. Changes are updated and reflected automatically throughout the process tree.

To modify clips imported with Desk, Library, or Import nodes, use the Basic, LUT Editor, Timeline, Audio, and Resize controls, as well as the clip's history.

To modify clips imported with Gateway Import nodes, use the Basic and Extended controls, as well as versions and embedded Batch setups, when available.

Modifying Clips with Clip History

Certain clips that you previously modified have clip history, which is a system for keeping track of changes made to clips. You can load these clips into Batch, which uses a process tree to display how the clip was modified. When you expand a clip with clip history into a Batch process tree, you can modify the clips and nodes as you would for any Batch schematic, and then process a new clip.

Modifying Clips with Import History

Certain clips you're using might have clip import history, which is enabled whenever you import a clip using a Gateway Library. This system allows you modify the import settings of a clip after it has been imported in Smoke. You can load clips with import history into Batch from the EditDesk or a library and then restore their import history.

A clip imported using a Gateway Import node always has access to its import settings.

Defining Missing Media Output

You can define how missing media in a clip is processed by a node. You may want to apply effects to a clip that includes one or more gaps, or you may want to manipulate a node with multiple inputs that is not yet connected to a required input. You can view the results of the selected options in the image window.

To define how a clip's missing media is interpreted:

1. In the Batch schematic, select a clip.
2. Click Basic.
3. Select from the following No Media options to determine how to interpret missing information before, during and after a clip.

   Select: | To:
   --- | ---
   Repeat First | Substitute each frame of missing media at the beginning of the clip with the first frame of media. Applies to the Head Media menu only.
   No Media | Not substitute missing media. Display an error message that there is no media to be processed by the node.
   Use Black | Substitute each frame of missing media with a black frame.
   Repeat Last | Substitute each frame of missing media at the end of the clip with the last frame of media. Applies to the Tail Media menu only.

   NoteThere is no Gap Media option in Gateway Import Node.

If an input tab cannot process missing media, most nodes that process clips set to No Media will display a warning. The BFX Output node automatically processes gaps in clips set to No Media as black frames.

There are nodes that process a No Media clip based on the type of input tab that is receiving the information. The Action, Paint, and Text nodes receive No Media clip information based on its source, and the current input and clip settings of the node's other inputs.