Cue Sets and Variants
A Cue Set holds multiple named variants of media content for the same cue. Switch between them at runtime or during show preparation. This is the media-source-switching mechanism for shows that display different content by context: different languages, different clients, day versus night, or rehearsal versus performance.
What Cue Sets Are
A Cue Set is a named group of one or more variants. Each variant is a named slot that holds a media source for any cue assigned to the set. When a cue belongs to a cue set, the active variant determines its content instead of a fixed media source.
For example, a cue set called "Language" has variants "English", "German", and "French". A title-card cue assigned to this set shows a different image depending on the active variant.
Every cue set has a default variant — the variant used when no other has been selected. The active-variant selection is transient state: it is excluded from undo/redo and behaves like a show variable.
The Cue Sets Panel
The Cue Sets window manages cue sets and variants. It displays:
- Each cue set as an expandable section with its name.
- Variant columns across the top, with the active variant highlighted and the default variant marked with a star icon.
- A row for each cue assigned to the set, showing the timeline name, layer number, and start time, with the assigned source shown per variant.
Click a variant header to activate that variant. All assigned cues immediately switch to the media mapped to that variant.
Variant Status Visuals
Variant headers use border styling to show activation status:
| Visual | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Solid border | The variant is active — its media mappings are in use for all assigned cues |
| Dashed border | The variant is inactive — available for selection but not in use |
Click a cue row to navigate to that cue's timeline and scroll the Timeline window to its position.
Creating a Cue Set
To create a new cue set:
- Open the Cue Sets window
- Open the window menu and select New Set ...
- In the New Cue Set dialog, enter a name (for example "Language") and a name for the first variant (for example "English")
The new set appears in the panel with one variant. Add more variants and assign cues to the set.
Managing Variants
Right-click a variant header for variant options:
- New Variant ... — adds a new empty variant to the set.
- Duplicate ... — copies an existing variant, including its media mappings across all assigned cues.
- Rename ... — changes the variant's name.
- Set Default — makes the variant the default (star icon); disabled for the current default.
- Delete — removes the variant; disabled for the default and the active variant.
You cannot delete the default variant or the active variant. The cue set header menu adds Rename ..., New Variant ..., and Delete.
Variants are sorted alphabetically by name.
Assigning Cues to Cue Sets
To assign a cue to a cue set:
- Select one or more media cues
- In the Cue Properties panel, find the Cue Set field
- Select the cue set from the dropdown
Assigning a cue to a set creates a media mapping for that cue — a table mapping each variant to a media source. All variants start at the cue's current media source. Then assign different sources to individual variants (see Assigning Sources to Variants below).
Cue properties are shared across all variants. Only the media source changes between variants. Position, scale, duration, effects, and crop stay the same. Swapping between a 16:9 video and a 4:3 image does not adjust the cue's scale or crop. Plan variant media with compatible dimensions and durations.
To remove a cue from a cue set, set the Cue Set field back to None.
Art-Net cues cannot be assigned to cue sets. The assignment is rejected with an error.
Assigning Sources to Variants
Each variant in a cue set can hold a different media source for each cue. Variant sources can be assets or capture sources. Switch between a pre-rendered video file and a live NDI® feed by changing the active variant.
Source Indicators in the Cue Sets Panel
The Cue Sets panel shows an indicator for each cue/variant cell:
| Indicator | Source Type |
|---|---|
| Thumbnail image | Asset (image, video) |
| Video input icon | Capture source |
| Monitor icon | Virtual display |
| Layers icon | Composition |
| Dash (—) | No source assigned |
Assigning a Different Asset to a Variant
To map a different asset to a specific variant:
- Activate the target variant by clicking its header in the Cue Sets panel
- Select the cue on the timeline
- Drag a new asset from the Assets window onto the cue
WATCHOUT updates the media mapping for the active variant only. Other variants keep their mappings. Repeat for each variant.
Activate each variant in turn and drag the asset onto the cue. This is the fastest way to populate a new cue set with per-variant assets.
Assigning a Capture Source to a Variant
To assign a capture source to a specific variant for a specific cue:
- In the Cue Sets panel, right-click the cell where the cue row meets the variant column
- Select Set Capture Source from the context menu
- Choose a capture source configured in your show
The cell updates to show the capture icon and the source name.
Only capture sources that have already been configured in your show appear in the Set Capture Source menu. To add a new capture source, use the Devices window first. See Capture Devices and NDI.
Assigning Variant Sources from the Cue Properties Panel
When a single cue is selected and belongs to a cue set, the Cue Properties panel shows a source dropdown for each variant. A bullet (●) marks the active variant. Each dropdown offers:
- The cue's original source (asset, composition, or virtual display).
- Any capture source configured in the show.
Use this to set variant sources on a single cue without switching the active variant first.
Use the Cue Sets panel context menu when you want to quickly assign a capture source to one variant across a cell, and use the Cue Properties dropdowns when you want to review and adjust all variant sources for a single selected cue at once.
Switching the Active Variant
Switch the active variant in two ways:
- Click the variant header in the Cue Sets panel.
- Use the HTTP API
/v0/cue-group-statesto select a variant from an external control system.
When you switch the active variant, all cues assigned to that cue set update their content to the new variant's media source. All affected cues change at once.
The active-variant state is transient data, like show variables. Variant switches are not recorded in the undo history.
Cue Set Column in the Cue List
The Cue List window includes a Cue Set column showing the cue set each cue belongs to. Filter the Cue List by cue sets to show only cues in specific sets.
Interaction with Asset Deletion
Assets referenced by any variant mapping cannot be deleted from the Asset Manager. The deletion dialog states that assets used in cue sets are protected.
Use Cases
Multi-language shows: Create a "Language" cue set with variants for each language. Assign all text-bearing cues (title cards, subtitle overlays, informational graphics) to this set. Switch languages with a single variant activation.
Day/night versions: Create a "Time of Day" set with "Day" and "Night" variants. Map bright, high-contrast assets to the Day variant and darker, muted versions to the Night variant.
Client-specific branding: For touring productions that rebrand per venue or sponsor, create a "Branding" set with variants for each client. Swap logos, color schemes, and sponsor graphics without restructuring the timeline.
Rehearsal vs. performance: Use a variant to swap placeholder or low-resolution assets during rehearsal with final production assets for the live show.
Season-specific content: Create a "Season" cue set with variants for each season or holiday period (e.g. "Summer", "Halloween", "Christmas"). Map season-appropriate backgrounds, graphics, and overlays to each variant. When the season changes, a single variant switch updates all seasonal content throughout the show — ideal for permanent installations, retail environments, and visitor attractions that refresh content on a regular calendar cycle.
Live feed switching: Create a "Camera" cue set with variants such as "Pre-recorded" and "Live". Map a video asset to the pre-recorded variant and a capture source (NDI camera, SDI input, or Spout feed) to the live variant. Switch the active variant to instantly cut between the pre-rendered content and the incoming live signal without stopping playback or restructuring the timeline.
Related
- Adding Media Cues — the cues a variant remaps
- Cues Window — filter and audit by Cue Set
- Conditional Cues — an alternative way to switch content
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