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Help Centre
The Image Switch is a versatile node that allows you to use multiple images and switch between them, or to use multiple effects on a single image that are only shown to the camera when you choose. You simply need to attach the interchangeable nodes to the Image Switch node.Once the nodes are attached, you can open the Image Switch Layer Properties to access the settings.
The Port Index dropdown
The Port Index dropdown allows you to select which attached element is active. IDs are assigned to the elements based on how they are arranged on the Image Switch node.
- Changing the Port Index will determine which node the camera sees.
- The order of nodes plugged into the Image-Switch automatically determines their assigned number in the index dropdown.
- The Port Index numbers start at zero, which is the number applied to the leftmost connected node. The number increases by one per node as you move to the right.
- You can animate the Port Index values in two ways:
- In the Bezier Editor window, see Keyframing the Port Index below.
- By setting keys in the Timeline view and changing the Port Index values..
Keyframing the Port Index
You can keyframe the Port Index value by using the Function button to open the Bezier Editor window, which allows you to set keyframes and switch the Port Index number in the Value field. See About Functions for more information.
| NOTE: Interpolations set between Image Switch keyframes will not show any change or movement due to the nature of the node. |
Suggested uses for the Image Switch node:
The following are some scenarios where you could use the Image Switch node:
- With a Colour-Override node to keyframe colour variations of a character.
- To swap interchangeably between two rigs. For example, a character who is being struck by lightning and needs to swap between their base rig and a skeletal version of themselves.
- With Master Controllers to turn off/on aspects of a rig, like a hat, t-shirts with different logos on them, a face with or without make-up, etc.
- To switch between two or more background images. For example, a house at night that is lit inside, and a house with all the lights off.