|
Help Centre
In Harmony’s Camera view, these are the two options that can be used to display your scene. They show different results and are useful for specific tasks. This article will outline the difference between the two.
Switching between the view modes
To switch between the views, use the OpenGL View mode and Render View
mode icons at the bottom of the Camera view:
OpenGL View
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a programming interface (API) that interacts directly with a computer’s GPU to achieve hardware-accelerated rendering.
In Harmony, the OpenGL View shows optimized versions of your artwork, animation, and effects. This allows you to work much faster as you are not as hindered by resource-demanding features and graphics. Optimization settings can be adjusted in the OpenGL tab of the Preferences window.
The OpenGL View should be the default view used when animating a scene.
Properties of the OpenGL View:
- Uses fewer resources, like memory.
- Can play back animation and camera movement in the Camera view.
- Effects are shown as basic shapes, or not at all.
- Not a 100% representation of the final appearance of a scene.
- Depending on the weight of the scene, playback in the Camera view can be slightly delayed.
| NOTE: In Harmony 25 you can activate more accurate effect previews for certain nodes in the OpenGL view. These nodes include blurs, colour correction and tones/highlights. Adjust/activate these settings in the Preferences > OpenGL tab. |
| TIP: There is an option available to export the OpenGL frames. It allows for a quick, resource friendly export of a movie/image sequence that can be reviewed and shared. See Exporting OpenGL Frames for more information. |
Render View
The Render View mode allows you to see a fully rendered frame in your scene. This means you will see the frame the way it would look on the final platform - a TV, film, or computer screen.
This view is best used for specific purposes, as it uses all the resources required to render the frame’s artwork and effects.
When using the Render View, a progress bar is visible at the bottom right of the Camera view to show the render process for that frame. The Render View mode also applies a camera mask.
The Render View should be used as a single frame preview of the final scene.
Properties of the Render view:
- Effects can be viewed in their final form.
- Gives you a single frame preview of the final look of the scene.
- Uses more memory, and can be very slow to update based on applied effects and camera movements.
- The scene cannot be played back in the Camera view, as each frame cannot be rendered quickly enough.