MANUAL DE BLUFFTITLER

Interface
 Buttons
 Menu items
 Keyboard functions
 Mouse functions

Buttons
BUTTONS
Click on the area that interests you:

The textbox
This edit box is used by the text and scroller layers. This is the place where you type the text you want to ani-
mate.
The following tags can be used for special effects: <ABC />, <abc />, <123 />, <time />, <showtime />,
<countdown /> <millisecond />, <second />, <minute />, <hour />, <hour12 />, <ampm />, <day />,
<month />, <year />, <fullday />, <fullmonth />, <fps />, <particles />, <memory />, <computername />,
<showtitle />, <showpath />, <appname />, <version />
The tag <Counter /> is used in the text layer where it renders the number as set with the Counter property.

The 3 layer style dropdowns

You can find the 3 layer style dropdowns below the textbox on the left side of the tool window. Every layer
has its own styles: for example the text layer uses the 1st dropdown to set the composition while the picture
layer uses the same dropdown to set the shape.

The all layers and all keys checkboxes

(Ver página 3)

The properties dropdown

All properties that can be animated are listed in the dropdown above the 3 sliders. The property itself can be
edited with the 3 sliders below this box. A plus symbol (+) is added to the property name when it is ani-
mated.

The 3 property sliders

The result of dragging those sliders depends on the active property, set by the dropdown above them.

For example when you select Text position on the text layer, the 1st slider controls the horizontal, the sec-
ond the vertical and the third the depth position. When editing colours, the 3 sliders represent the red, green
and blue components.

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You can move the 3 sliders at the same time by holding down the <Control> key while moving the 1st slider.

The reset button

With this button you reset the 3 sliders to their default position. Clicking on this button with the <Shift> key
pressed resets all properties.

The 3 property edit boxes

With the text edit boxes next to the 3 sliders you can enter values that are outside the range of the sliders.

The layers dropdown

This is the big dropdown above the Play button. Shows are built out of layers. Every layer can be animated
independently. Use this dropdown to select the layer you want to edit. A plus symbol (+) is added to the
layer name when it is animated.

The physics dropdown

This box is used to select the tweening method. This is the way the positions in between the keyframes are
computed. You can use these effects to simulate physics effects. (Ver página 4)

The visible checkbox

Layers can be turned visible/invisible with this checkbox. When you make a layer invisible, all child layers are
invisible as well.

The first key button

Jumps to the start of the show.

The previous key button

Jumps to the previous keyframe.

The next key button

Jumps to the next keyframe.

The last key button

Jumps to the end of the show.

The play button

Starts the show from the current position. You can also press <F4>. When using a playlist, hold down
the <Control> key to play only the active slide.

The create key button

Creates a keyframe.

The delete key button

Deletes the current keyframe. Use the Previous key and Next key buttons to select a key. A key can also be
selected by clicking on it. Clicking on this button with the <Shift> key pressed deletes all keyframes.

The copy key button

Copies the current key into the clipboard. Every layer has its own clipboard, so do not worry about mixing up
layers.

The paste key button

Copies the clipboard to the current time and makes a keyframe out of it.

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The move key to the left button
Moves the current key to the left. You can also click and drag the keyframe. When no key is selected the time
is moved to the left. When holding down the <Shift> key, the key is moved 0.1 second instead of a millisec -
ond.

The move Key to the right button

Moves the current key to the right. You can also click and drag the keyframe. When no key is selected the
time is moved to the right. When holding down the <Shift> key, the key is moved 0.1 second instead of a
millisecond.

The insert time button

When you press this button, all keys greater than the current time are moved to the right 0.1 second. When
holding down the <Control> key, the key at the current time is also moved. When holding down the <Shift>
key, 1 second is inserted. When holding down the <Alt> key, only the keys of the active layer are moved.

The remove time button

When you press this button, all keys greater than the current time are moved to the left 0.1 second. When
holding down the <Control> key, the key at the current time is also moved. When holding down the <Shift>
key, 1 second is removed. When holding down the <Alt> key, only the keys of the active layer are moved.

Current time
The current time is printed in the following format: minutes : seconds . milliseconds.

Number of keyframes
The number of keyframes is displayed above the keyframes bar.

The keyframes bar

In this bar every keyframe is displayed as a small vertical line. When you click on or very close to a key, the
time jumps to the time of that key. You can now copy this key, delete this key or drag this key to another
place.

The time slider

This slider indicates the current time. Dragged to the left represents time 0, the beginning of the show.
Dragged all the way to the right represents the end of the show. By default shows have a duration of 3 sec -
onds, but you can change this with the menu item File > Set show duration....

The all layers and all keys checkboxes

These checkboxes determine what happens when you change something:

Both unmarked
Only the current key is changed. This is the default mode.

All keys marked and All layers unmarked

All keys in the active layer are changed.

Both marked
All keys in all layers of the same type are changed.

All layers marked, All keys unmarked

The current keys in all layers of the same type are changed.
Some examples:
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Want to change the colour of all keys? Mark All keys and you can use the 3 sliders to edit the colour of all
keys at the same time.
Want to change the font of all text layers? Mark All layers before you change one of them.
Want to move all text layers to the same horizontal position? Mark All layers and move one text layer to this
position.
Want to add a golden border to all text layers? Mark All layers before choosing Layer > Attach border to
active layer...

For some properties, like the Bevel and Font size in the text layer, the All keys checkbox is marked every-
time your select this property. The reason for this is that it is expensive to animate them (bevel) or unlikely
that you would want to animate them (font size). It is possible to animate those properties by unmarking
the All Keys checkbox. And when you unmark the Auto mark ALL KEYS checkbox in the Settings > Op-
tions... dialog those checkboxes stay unmarked.

Physics effects
With the dropdown to the right of the layers dropdown you can set the tweening method. This is the way the
positions in between the keyframes are computed. You can use these effects to simulate physics effects.

Constant speed

Accelerate

Accelerate slow

Decelerate

Decelerate slow

Accelerate and decelerate

Accelerate and decelerate slow

Damper

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 Bouncer

Outside

Pumping

Zig zag

Robotic

Pingpong

No animation

Spline effects
With the dropdown to the right of the layers dropdown you can select 4 spline types.

No spline
The example path uses 6 keyframes.

Bezier
The Bezier spline respects the first and the last keyframe and everything in
between is smoothed.

Overhauser
The Overhauser spline goes through all the keyframes and exaggerates the
curve.

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 Hulshoff
The Hulshoff spline only smoothes the path around the keyframes.

Hulshoff smooth
The smooth version smoothes a bigger area around the keyframes.

MENU ITEMS
File menu On this page you can find more info about export-
File > New show ing shows.
Starts a new show. This show is not completely File > Exit
empty: a camera layer, two light layers and a text Exits the app.
layer have been created for you. Edit menu
File > Open show... Edit > Change all texts...
Opens a show from disk. When holding down Displays a dialog that allows you to change all
the <Shift> key, the standard Windows file dialog texts the show is using, which is very useful for
is used. templates.
A show can also be opened in the following ways: Texts like ---------- or .+.+.+.+.+.+ are by default
 Click on the Open show... button hidden because it is unlikely they are meant as dy-
 Double click on the.bt show file namic texts. Mark the Show All checkbox to show
 Drag and drop the.bt show file on BluffTitler's them.
render window Edit > Change all fonts...
File > Set background colour... Displays a dialog that allows you to change all
Sets the background colour. fonts the show is using, which is very useful for
File > Set show duration... templates.
Changes the duration (length in seconds) of the Edit > Change all textures...
show. Displays a dialog that allows you to change all tex-
File > Set show resolution... tures (pictures) the show is using, which is very
Changes the size (resolution in pixels) of the show. useful for templates.
File > Show properties... Reflectionmaps, bumpmaps and other special tex-
Opens a dialog where you can enter the show ti- tures are by default hidden because it is unlikely
tle, info and content. they are meant as dynamic textures. Mark
File > Save show the Show All checkbox to show them.
Saves the current show under the current name. Edit > Change all effects...
File > Save show as... Displays a dialog that allows you to change all ef-
Saves the current show under a new name. fects the show is using.
File > Save show + all media files... Edit > Find
Saves the current show and places all used media Finds a layer
files next to the .BT show file. This option is useful Edit > Find next
when you want to copy a show to another com- Finds the next layer
puter or to a web server. Edit > Undo
File > Export as picture... Undo
Exports the current screen as a .BMP or .TGA file. Edit > Redo
File > Export as video... Redo
Exports the animation as a video file. Control menu
Control > Play windowed
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Starts the show from the beginning. Adds a voxel layer to the show.
Control > Play fullscreen Layer > Add Layer > Add mirror layer...
Plays the show fullscreen. Adds a mirror layer to the show.
Control > Stop Layer > Add Layer > Add cubemap layer...
Stops the show. You can also press Adds a cubemap layer to the show.
the <Escape> key. Layer > Add Layer > Add audio layer...
Control > Looping Adds a audio layer to the show.
Loops the show continuously. Press <Escape> or Layer > Add Layer > Add container layer
the stop button to stop. Adds a container layer to the show.
Control > Back Layer > Attach Layer > Attach border to active
Loads and plays the previous show. layer...
Control > Forward Attaches a border to the active layer.
Loads and plays the next show. After attaching a text layer to the active layer, the
Control > Refresh new attached text layer is visible in the layers
Clears the cache and reloads the current show. dropdown. You can use this dropdown to select
Control > Stop loading the attached text layer and change its properties.
Stops loading the current show. Your effect can be saved as a preset by choos-
Control > Home ing Preset > Save Preset as....
Opens and runs the home page, as set with the Layer > Attach Layer > Attach light to active
menu item Settings > Options. layer...
Favorites menu Attaches a light to the active layer.
Favorites > Add to favorites... After attaching a light layer to the active layer, the
Adds the current show to the list of favorites. new attached light layer is visible in the layers
Favorites > Organize favorites... dropdown. You can use this dropdown to select
Opens a dialog where you can organize all your the attached light layer and change its properties.
favorite shows. Your effect can be saved as a preset by choos-
Layer menu ing Preset > Save Preset as....
Layer > Add Layer > Add camera layer... Layer > Attach Layer > Attach plasma to active
Adds a camera layer to the show. layer...
Layer > Add Layer > Add light layer Attaches a plasma layer to the active layer.
Adds a light layer to the show. After attaching a plasma layer to the active layer,
Layer > Add Layer > Add plasma layer... the new attached plasma layer is visible in thelay-
Adds a plasma layer to the show. ers dropdown. You can use this dropdown to se-
Layer > Add Layer > Add text layer lect the attached plasma layer and change its
Adds a text layer to the show. properties. Your effect can be saved as a preset by
Layer > Add Layer > Add scroller layer choosing Preset > Save Preset as....
Adds a scroller layer to the show. Layer > Attach Layer > Attach text to active layer
Layer > Add Layer > Add picture layer... Attaches a text to the active layer.
Adds a picture layer to the show. After attaching a text layer to the active layer, the
Layer > Add Layer > Add video layer... new attached text layer is visible in the layers
Adds a video layer to the show. dropdown. You can use this dropdown to select
Layer > Add Layer > Add video capture layer the attached text layer and change its properties.
Adds a video capture layer to the show. Your effect can be saved as a preset by choos-
Layer > Add Layer > Add EPS layer... ing Preset > Save Preset as....
Adds a EPS layer to the show. Layer > Attach Layer > Attach picture to active
Layer > Add Layer > Add traced picture layer layer...
Adds a traced picture layer to the show. Attaches a picture layer to the active layer.
Layer > Add Layer > Add model layer... After attaching a picture layer to the active layer,
Adds a model layer to the show. the new attached picture layer is visible in the lay-
Layer > Add Layer > Add sketch layer... ers dropdown. You can use this dropdown to se-
Adds a sketch layer to the show. lect the attached picture layer and change its
Layer > Add Layer > Add particle layer... properties. Your effect can be saved as a preset by
Adds a particle layer to the show. choosing Preset > Save Preset as....
Layer > Add Layer > Add voxel layer... Layer > Attach Layer > Attach EPS to active layer...

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Attaches an EPS to the active layer. Deletes the active layer. All attached layers will
After attaching a text layer to the active layer, the also be deleted. Be careful not to delete all light
new attached text layer is visible in the layers layers, unless you love the dark.
dropdown. You can use this dropdown to select Layer > Clone active layer
the attached text layer and change its properties. Makes an identical copy of the active layer.
Your effect can be saved as a preset by choos- Layer > Reverse active layer
ing Preset > Save Preset as.... Reverses the active layer.
Layer > Attach Layer > Attach model to active Layer > Bring active layer backward
layer... Brings the active layer backward. Notice that this
Attaches a model layer to the active layer. only makes sense for picture layers in 2D mode.
After attaching a model layer to the active layer, All other layers are automatically sorted by their
the new attached model layer is visible in the lay- distance to the camera.
ers dropdown. You can use this dropdown to se- Layer > Bring active layer forward
lect the attached model layer and change its Brings the active layer forward. Notice that this
properties. Your effect can be saved as a preset by only makes sense for picture layers in 2D mode.
choosing Preset > Save Preset as.... All other layers are automatically sorted by their
Layer > Attach Layer > Attach particles to active distance to the camera.
layer... Layer > Active layer properties
Attaches a particle layer to the active layer. Opens a dialog where you can enter the layer
After attaching a particle layer to the active layer, name and link.
the new attached particle layer is visible in thelay- Media menu
ers dropdown. You can use this dropdown to se- Media > Change text...
lect the attached particle layer and change its Changes the text of the text layer. Most of the
properties. Your effect can be saved as a preset by time you will use the textbox on the tool window
choosing Preset > Save Preset as.... for this, but for long texts or when using dynamic
Layer > Attach Layer > Attach lightning to active content this dialog can be handy.
layer... Media > Change font...
Attaches a lightning layer to the active layer. Sets the font for the text layer. If you want to
After attaching a lightning layer to the active layer, change the font of all text layers you have to mark
the new attached lightning layer is visible in the- theAll Layers checkbox before choosing this
layers dropdown. You can use this dropdown to menu item. Do not forget to unmark this check-
select the attached lightning layer and change its box afterwards.
properties. Your effect can be saved as a preset by When BluffTitler says it can't handle a font this is
choosing Preset > Save Preset as.... usually caused by the fact that the font is too de-
Layer > Attach Layer > Attach lens flare to active tailed. You could try using the flat or solid styles
layer... or switching to a lower quality mode with the
Attaches a lens flare layer to the active layer. menu item Settings > Low Quality.
After attaching a lens flare layer to the active layer, Media > Change EPS...
the new attached lens flare layer is visible in the- Sets the EPS file for the EPS layer.
layers dropdown. You can use this dropdown to Media > Change texture...
select the attached lens flare layer and change its Changes the texture.
properties. Your effect can be saved as a preset by Media > Change audio...
choosing Preset > Save Preset as.... Changes the audio file used by the audio layer.
Layer > Attach Layer > Attach active layer to a Media > Change model...
container... Changes the model file used by the model layer.
Attaches the active layer to an existing container Media > Change effect...
layer. Changes the effect of the active layer.
Layer > Delete all attached layers Preset menu
Deletes all layers attached to the active layer. Preset > Load preset...
Layer > Detach active layer from container Loads a preset from disk. Note that a preset is not
Disconnects the active layer from the container the same as a show. A show is a complete anima-
layer. tion that can be loaded with the menu item File >
Layer > Delete active layer Open show.... A preset is a single keyframe of a
specific layer.

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 Preset > Save preset as... Low quality might look ugly, but it also means
Saves the current keyframe to disk. quick loading, high animation speed and great re-
Your preset only shows up in the Load Pre- sponsiviness! Low quality can also be handy for
set... dialog when you save your preset in one of fonts or EPS files that are too detailed to display
the following folders: correctly in high quality mode.
 The Media/Presets folder next to the executable Settings > Options...
(BluffTitler.exe) Opens a dialog where you can set the options.
 The BluffTitler/Presets folder in your (My) Docu- Settings > Switch to EASY/PRO version
ments folder At any time you can switch between the EASY and
When you are saving a text layer as a preset that is the PRO versions with this menu item. Depending
attached to another text layer your preset will ap- on your license, the application reverts to the
pear in the Layer > Attach layer > Attach border demo (evaluation) version.
to active layer... dialog. Presets of attached parti- Settings > Enter license keys
cle layers will appear in the Layer > Attach layer When you buy BluffTitler you receive your own
> Attach particles to active layer... dialog. personal license keys. Select this menu item to en-
Playlist menu ter them into the app to turn the evaluation
Playlist > Open playlist... (demo) version into the full version.
Loads a playlist Help menu
Playlist > Save playlist Help > User guide
Saves the current playlist under the current name. Opens the BluffTitler user guide in your default in-
Playlist > Save playlist as... ternet browser. Pressing <F1> does the same.
Saves the current playlist under a new name. Help > Community
Settings menu Opens the BluffTitler community in your default
Settings > Tool window internet browser. On this site can share tips and
With this menu item you can show/hide the tool tricks with other users, show your work, download
window. free templates and ask questions.
Settings > Browser mode Help > Templates
With this menu item you can show/hide the Opens the BixPack site in your default internet
browser panel. browser. On this site you can purchase profes-
Settings > Playlist window sional, royalty free BluffTitler templates.
With this menu item you can show/hide the Help > Demo
playlist window. When hitting this item BluffTitler starts playing
Settings > Move menu random shows from the Media/Shows folder.
With this menu item you can move the menu from Press<Escape> to quit this demo mode.
the render window to the tool window and back. Help > Ordering information
When moving the menu to the tool window, the Displays ordering information.
borders of the render window are also removed, Help > Check for upgrades
allowing you to place this window fullscreen on a Connects to the internet for information about the
second monitor. (When using a dual head video latest version, updates, upgrades and download-
card) ing old versions.
Settings > Render coordinate system Help > About BluffTitler
Old televisions do not display the complete im- Shows general information.
age, but chop off a fair amount at the edges. To Options dialog
make your animation completely visible on Choose Settings > Options... to open the options
grandma's television you have to make sure it dialog.
does not extent beyond the safe area. When this Home page
option is turned on the safe area is displayed as a This is the show that is opened when you start
box. BluffTitler.
This option also renders the camera coordinate Default show
system in the lower left corner, the local coordi- This is the show that is loaded when you
nate system of the active layer, the crosshair and choose File > New show.
the grid. Language
Settings > Low, Normal and High quality

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 With this option you can translate the BluffTitler  Full TAB. The 2 screens are rendered on top of
GUI. All interface texts, except the error messages, each other, without adjusting the PAR. To keep
are translated. the same viewport, double the height in the File >
The translations that come with the installer can Set show resolution dialog.
be found in the BluffTitler/Media/Locales folder. Always show tool window on startup
Visit the download page for a list of all the avail- The BluffTitler executable is an editor as well as a
able languages. player. Choose Settings > Tool window to switch
Skin between the two.
With this option you can change the look of the When you start BluffTitler by double clicking on a
BluffTitler GUI. show file, it starts up in player mode. When this
The skin that comes with the installer can be checkbox is marked, it starts up in edit mode.
found in the BluffTitler/Media/Skins folder. Sort layers on layer type
Temp folder When this checkbox is marked, the layers in the
This folder is used to store temporarily files. It is layers dropdown are sorted by their type. This
used in the following situations: makes it easier to find layers because, for example,
 When exporting a show containing audio as a the camera layer is always the first layer.
video file Auto folding layers hierarchy
 When exporting a show as an MP4 file When this checkbox is marked, all layers are hid-
 When exporting a show as a template den that are not root layers or parent or child lay-
Temporary files are automatically deleted after ers of the active layer. This can make the layers
use. To make sure they are also deleted in case dropdown look more clear.
something went wrong, all temporary files older Add + sign to animated properties
than 1 hour are deleted when you start BluffTitler. When this checkbox is marked, a plus symbol (+)
On Windows 10, the default folder is C:\Users\ is added to the property name when it is ani-
[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming\Outerspace mated. This makes it easier to find out what makes
Software\BluffTitler\Temp. a layer tick.
Use a folder an another drive when your C drive is Add - sign to non-default properties
almost full. When this checkbox is marked, a minus symbol (-)
Default font is added to the property name when it has a non-
This is the font that is used when you choose File default value. This makes it easier to find out how
> New show and no default show is selected. to recreate an effect.
The default font is also the font that is used when Auto mark ALL KEYS checkbox
a font can't be found or loaded. When this checkbox is marked, the All
Stereoscopic format keys checkbox is automatically marked when you
This option is used when the Pupil distance prop- select some properties. Learn more
erty of the camera layer has a non-zero value. It Use standard Windows file dialog
offers the following standards: BluffTitler has its own file dialog that offers nice
 Half SBS. The 2 screens are rendered side by side big thumbnails and handy App and Personal but-
with a double pixel aspect ratio (PAR) tons for quickly switching between the files that
 Full SBS. The 2 screens are rendered side by side, come with the installer and your own files. It is
without adjusting the PAR. To keep the same used in the following situations:
viewport, double the width in the File > Set show  Opening and saving shows
resolution dialog.  Opening and saving presets
 Half TAB. The 2 screens are rendered on top of  Selecting effects
each other (Top and Bottom) with a halved PAR. Mark this checkbox if you prefer to use the stan-
dard Windows file dialog.

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