Data Tracks

Data Tracks are timeline lanes with a built-in SVG curve editor for keyframe-based animation. You draw a curve directly in the timeline, and Exaplay interpolates values between keyframes and transmits them to external systems (lighting consoles, control systems, custom hardware) over OSC, UDP, TCP, ArtNet, or to the Operator Control Panel.

What Are Data Tracks?

A Data Track is a timeline lane containing keyframes. The lane renders an interactive SVG curve showing the interpolated path between keyframes. At playback time the engine evaluates the curve and transmits the value to the configured output destination.

Creating a Data Track

1. Right-click anywhere in the Timeline dropzone area.
2. Choose Add Data Track from the context menu.
3. The new track appears in the Timeline. Open the Inspector to configure its properties:
   • Name — human-readable label
   • Color — track row accent colour
   • Min / Max Value — numeric range of the curve
   • Interpolation — Linear or Step
   • Output — format, address, port, and protocol-specific settings

Editing Keyframes with the SVG Curve Editor

The curve editor is embedded directly in the Data Track row in the Timeline.

Action	Result
Double-click on the curve area	Adds a new keyframe at that position and value
Click a keyframe handle	Selects the keyframe — its frame and value appear in the Inspector for precise editing
Drag a keyframe handle	Moves the keyframe in time and value
Right-click a keyframe handle	Removes the keyframe
Arrow Left / Right	Nudge selected keyframe ±5 frames (hold Shift for ±1 frame)
Arrow Up / Down	Nudge selected keyframe value ±1 % of range (hold Shift for ±0.1 %)
Delete / Backspace	Remove the selected keyframe
Escape	Deselect the current keyframe

A value label (e.g. f30: 0.75) appears next to the handle while dragging or when a keyframe is selected. Keyframes are always kept sorted by frame number.

Keyframe Inspector

When a keyframe is selected, the Inspector panel shows:

Property	Description
Frame	The frame number of the keyframe (editable)
Value	The value at this keyframe (editable, clamped to track min/max)

Track Appearance

• The track name is shown prominently in the track's left sidebar panel, coloured with the track's accent colour.
• The curve line and keyframe handles use the track's accent colour (ui_color), which can be changed in the Inspector.

  frame 0:  value = 0
  frame 30: value = 1
  frame 60: value = 0
  → value ramps up to 1 and back to 0 over 60 frames

Interpolation Modes

Mode	Behaviour
Linear	Smooth ramp between keyframe values (Catmull-Rom spline display)
Step	Value jumps immediately at each keyframe (no interpolation)

Output Types

Format	Description
OSC	Sends a float to the configured IP, port, and OSC path
UDP	Sends a raw UDP datagram with the current value
TCP	Sends a formatted command string over a TCP connection
ArtNet	Writes the value into an ArtNet universe/channel
Control Panel	Displays the current value as a read-only readout in the Operator Control view

Inspector Properties

Property	Description
Name	Human-readable track label
Color	Accent colour shown in the track row
Min Value	Lower bound of the curve range
Max Value	Upper bound of the curve range
Interpolation	Linear or Step
Output › Format	OSC, UDP, TCP, ArtNet, or Control Panel
Output › Address	Destination IP address (OSC / UDP / TCP)
Output › Port	Destination port number
Output › OSC Path	OSC message address (e.g. /fixture/1/dimmer)
Output › Command	TCP command template
Output › Universe	ArtNet universe number
Output › Channel	ArtNet channel number (1–512)
Output › Control Target	Control Panel item ID