What's New in WATCHOUT 7.6

Hi there! We are thrilled to announce the release of WATCHOUT 7.6, a highly anticipated update packed with exciting new features, enhancements, and fixes.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to WATCHOUT, this update has something for everyone.

Dive into the details below to explore the highlights of this release and see how WATCHOUT 7.6 can take your productions to the next level!

Highlighted Features

New Import and Export Assets

Simplifies the process of transferring assets between projects with new import/export functionality.

New Create Archive function that packs up all of the show components and show file into a single portable bundle (similar to consolidate).

import

Conditinal Cues

Enables the use of conditions to control when specific cues are triggered during playback.

conditional

Cue Sets

Introduces the concept of cue sets, allowing for instant switching between different content variants.

Replaces Media Snapshots feature with easier-to-use UI.

sets

UI Improvements

Improvements to the flow of UI, window positioning and snapping and alternative modes of controlling active timeline with keyboard shortcuts.

alt text

Corner Effect

Adds the ability to crop and adjust the corners of media elements for creative effects.

corners

Audio Preview

Provides an audio preview feature without requiring a license, along with visual VU meters for monitoring audio levels.

vu_meters

NDI Improvements

Introduces the ability to select color space independently of the stream resolution, along with support for NDI audio input.

New Features

General

Insert/Delete Time

Inserting or deleting time at a specified moment with the options to adjust 'duration of cues' or positions of 'tween points'.

Free Mode for Audio Renderer

Audio playback without WATCHOUT license being present in the system.

Autosave

Autosave functionality that stores a backup copy of the show every few minutes.

Default Image Duration

Customizing default duration of Image cues.

Default Fades

Customizing the default properties of fade-in and fade-out effects such as duration from Show Properties. Additionally, Use Last Fade option let's you re-use the values from the last edited effect.

Create Archive

New Create Archive function that packs all of the show components and show file into a single portable bundle (similar to consolidate).

Cue Enhancements

Cue Conditions

Conditional Rendering and Conditional Triggers provide a way to turn on and off rendering or prevent a control cue from executing. This functionality can be controlled through expressions, allowing integration with external inputs or variable cues.

Cue Sets

Cue sets are used for changing media of one or multiple cues live. With cue sets, you can instantly switch between different content variants while maintaining consistent timing, positioning, and effects.

Remote and Network Features

MIDI on Remote Machines

Multiple MIDI Bridge instances can run simultaneously on different nodes in your WATCHOUT network, as long as they're configured to use unique MIDI channels to avoid conflicts.

Once configured, the variable will update in real-time as you use your MIDI controller, allowing direct manipulation of visual elements during playback.

Asset-Watcher on Remote Machines

Asset-Watcher can be setup on any WATCHOUT node, including WATCHPAX with a USB drive.

NDI Audio In

NDI audio can be routed to an audio bus and used for playback.

Remote LTC Bridge

LTC Bridge can be setup on any WATCHOUT node.

OSC Controls

OSC can be used to control variables and timelines.

OSC Over TCP

Introduces OSC control over TCP on port 8001.

Audio Features

Enable/Disable Tweens and Masks

Tweens and masks can be toggled on/off for preview and compositing.

Audio Waveform on Cues

Waveform will now be shown on audio cues.

Audio Output VU Meter

Audio Output levels can be seen in the node window for each host and device.

User Interface Improvements

Collapsible Property Sections

Property sections now function as drawers and can be hidden for less clutter on screen.

Keyboard Navigation

Introduces Legacy Keyboard mode:

When ON: Spacebar only functions in text fields (not as a play control). Play controls (Space, Escape, Numpad-0) affect the last selected timeline. The last selected timeline is indicated by a purple highlight in both the Timeline Editor and Timelines window.

When OFF: Spacebar works like most media applications (toggles play/pause). Play controls only work when the timeline editor is active (indicated by purple top bar).

Enter now is used to confirm new value in any text field in properties.

Drop Files from Desktop to Stage and Timelines

Media Files can now be dropped directly on Stage and Timeline windows.

Tween Groups

Tweens are now divided into groups for cleaner, more organized look.

Tweens now have customizable colors.

Fixes

General

  • ProRes native playback
    ProRes files can now be played back directly without transcoding into a different codec.

  • HEVC Crash While Scrubbing
    HEVC files would ocasionally crash rendering when being scrubbed.

  • Audio Glitches on Content Move
    Audio will now play correctly when content has moved.

Tweens and Cues

  • Ghost Tween Points Removed

  • Wrong Property Window for Position Tween
    Position tween would show incorrect window when selected.

  • Enable/Disable Tweens and Masks
    Masks and Tweens can now be toggled.

Remote and Network

  • Copy-Paste
    Copy-Paste has been enabled for many new elements.

  • Improved Asset Window

Virtual Displays

  • Virtual Display Improvement
    Virtual displays are now rendered in the correct order when nested.