Using Automations

This guide will walk you through the process of creating and managing automations in Vizzy, from basic setup to advanced techniques.

Creating an automation

To create a new automation:

1. Click the Add button (+ icon) in the Automations tab
2. In the dialog that appears, select the object and controller you want to automate:
   • First, select an object from the Layers panel on the left
   • Then, select a controller from the object’s properties on the right
   • Click Choose to proceed
3. Select the type of automation you want to create:
   • Keyframe - For smooth transitions between values over time
   • Audio Impact - For properties that react to audio
   • Math - For mathematical formula-based animations
4. Configure the automation settings (these vary depending on the type)
5. Click Add automation to create it

Managing automations

Once you’ve created automations, you can manage them in the Automations tab:

• Rename - Double-click an automation’s name or right-click and select Rename
• Delete - Click the trash icon next to an automation or right-click and select Delete
• Reorder - Drag and drop automations to change their order
• Group - Organize related automations into folders by clicking the folder icon

You can also select and disable them in the Item Controls if you need to temporarily make the automation have no effect.

Connecting automations to objects

You can connect an existing automation to additional objects or controllers:

1. Select the automation in the Automations panel
2. Click the + icon next to the automation
3. Select an object from the dropdown menu
4. Once the object is added, click the + icon next to the object
5. Select a controller from the dropdown menu

Organizing with groups

For projects with many automations, you can organize them into groups:

1. Click the folder icon in the Automations panel
2. A new group will be created
3. Rename the group by using the Rename icon or right-clicking the group and selecting the Rename option
4. Drag and drop automations into the group

Practical examples

Example 1: Creating a pulsing effect with Audio Impact

1. Add an object to your scene (like an Image or Spectrum)
2. Create a new Audio Impact Automation
3. Connect it to the object’s Scale property
4. Set Min value to 1 (normal size)
5. Set Max value to 1.2 (20% larger)
6. Adjust Sensitivity to control how responsive it is to audio
7. Play your audio to see the object pulse with the beat

Example 2: Creating a fade-in effect with Keyframe

1. Add an object to your scene
2. Create a new Keyframe Automation
3. Connect it to the object’s Opacity property
4. Set Start value to 0 (completely transparent)
5. Set Target value to 1 (fully visible)
6. Set Start time to when you want the fade to begin
7. Set End time to when you want the fade to complete
8. Choose an Interpolation type (like Ease Out Cubic for a smooth fade), or do not select one at all for a simple Linear easing

Example 3: Creating oscillating movement with Math

1. Add an object to your scene
2. Create a new Math Automation
3. Connect it to the object’s Position X property
4. Enter a formula like sin(100t) * 100 (creates a sine wave movement)
5. Play your project to see the object move back and forth

Preview automations

While editing, you can preview how your automations will look by playing your project. This helps you fine-tune the settings for the perfect effect.

Combining automations

Don’t limit yourself to one automation per object! You can apply multiple automations to different properties of the same object for complex effects. For example, use Audio Impact for scale while using Math for rotation.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your automations, check out the Troubleshooting Automations guide for solutions to common problems.