3D Compositing with Action > Action: Basics >

# Using the Schematic and Menu Tabs

In Schematic view, a node exists for all objects in the scene, for example, shadows, lights, and texture maps.

(a) Axis object is the parent of axis 4 and poly1(b) 3D model(c) Light source(d) Diffuse texture applied to the 3D model(e) Drop shadow of bilinear1

Here are some hints when working in the schematic with some of the various node types.

Surface Nodes
  (Bilinear, Bicubic, and Extended Bicubic) When you add one of these surface nodes to the schematic, the node name is displayed with a number in parentheses. The number indicates the media applied to the surface. For example, a bicubic object labeled (2) shows that the bicubic uses the clips from Media 2.

(a) Media 2 is used by the bicubic surface.

For more information on the relationship between media and surfaces, see Adding Surfaces.

DVE Layer Object Node
  A DVE Layer Object node is a special node designed to simplify working in the Action schematic. A DVE Layer Object node is a grouped node of all axes and surfaces that DVE users are accustomed to using. See Adding a DVE Layer Object.
Camera Node
  The camera node appears in Schematic view by default and you can link it to any image. Use the camera node to rotate the camera about its own axis, and parent other nodes including shadow, texture, and geometry nodes.
Shadow and Texture Nodes
  Shadow and texture nodes each display a single number in parentheses beside the name that indicates the media used for the shadow or texture. For example, a shadow labeled (2) shows that the shadow uses the matte from Media 2.
Source Nodes
  Source nodes are used as part of an advanced schematic structure that separates the media's matte and front so that each clip can be animated individually. You can also use sources to create complex compositing effects such as nesting.

TipAdding many nodes and connections can quickly make for a disorganized schematic. To solve this, press Alt+T to reorganize the schematic.

Node Settings

These Node settings to help you name nodes, and move around in the schematic.

Node Name field
  Displays selected node name. Editable.

Previous Node button
  Scrolls to the previous similar node.

Next Node button
  Scrolls to the next similar node.

The right side of Action also includes other settings to help you work with nodes in the schematic.

Solo button
  Enable to solo an object or a branch (object and its children), depending on what is selected in the Selection Mode box. See Soloing Objects.

Hide button
  Click to hide an object, a branch (object and its children), or all, depending on what is selected in the Selection Mode box.

Group button
  Click to collapse the selected node and all its children into a group. Click again to ungroup. See Collapsing Branches.

Copy button
  Click to copy an object, a branch (object and its children), or all, depending on what is selected in the Selection Mode box.

Delete button
  Click to delete an object, a branch (object and its children), or all, depending on what is selected in the Selection Mode box.

Selection Mode box
  Make a selection to copy, delete, hide, or reset.

Reset Mode button
  Resets an object, a branch (object and its children), or all, depending on what is selected in the Selection Mode box.

Reset All button
  Available in the Action Setup menu. Resets all parameters but does not delete nodes or media. Press Alt to bypass confirmation, or press Ctrl to delete nodes and media as well.

#### Topics in this section

- Populating Menu Tabs of Selected Objects
- Using the Object Menu for Multiple Selections
- Parenting Nodes
- Duplicating Objects
- Soloing Objects
- Collapsing Branches