Creating a Composition

While the Timeline is excellent for sequential video editing, it is not designed for complex visual effects, multi-layered motion graphics, or procedural generation. For these tasks, ORAPHIM utilizes the Node-Based Compositor.

A Composition is a dedicated container that holds a node graph.

How Compositions Work in ORAPHIM

In traditional workflows (like Premiere Pro to After Effects), you must use "Dynamic Link" or export intermediary renders to move between editing and compositing. In ORAPHIM, the Compositor is built directly into the core engine. A Composition exists as a single, standard clip on your Edit Timeline, but when you open it in the Composition Workspace, it reveals an infinite node graph inside.

Method 1: Converting Timeline Clips to a Composition

The most common workflow is to edit your clips on the timeline first, and then convert a specific shot into a composition to add VFX.

  1. In the Edit Workspace, identify the clip (or stack of clips on multiple tracks) that requires visual effects.
  2. Select the clip(s).
  3. Right-click the selection and choose New Composition...
  4. Name the composition (e.g., "VFX_Shot_01_Tracking").
  5. The selected clips on your timeline will instantly be replaced by a single "Composition" clip.

To edit the effects:

  1. Ensure your playhead is parked over the new Composition clip.
  2. Switch to the Composition Workspace using the top menu bar.
  3. You will see a node graph. By default, it will contain a MediaIn node (representing your source video) connected to a MediaOut node (representing the final result sent back to the Edit Timeline).

Method 2: Creating a Blank Composition

If you are building motion graphics entirely from scratch (like a lower-third title or a procedural particle system), you don't need underlying video.

  1. Open the Effects Panel (usually docked near the Media Pool).
  2. Navigate to Generators or Titles.
  3. Drag the Composition generator directly onto the Timeline.
  4. Drag the edges of the clip to set its duration.
  5. Park your playhead over the clip and switch to the Composition Workspace.
  6. The node graph will be empty except for a MediaOut node. You can now press Shift+Space to search for nodes (like Background, Text, or Merge) and begin building your graphic.

The Power of the Node Graph

Nodes process image data sequentially from left to right.

  • You generate or input an image using a source node.
  • You pipe the yellow output triangle of that node into the yellow input triangle of an effect node (like a Blur or ColorCorrector).
  • You pipe the output of the effect node into MediaOut.

To learn how to merge multiple images, mask areas, and animate properties, proceed to the deep-dive Compositing Overview section.