FAQ

1.General

1.1 What is KnobMan?
1.2 What platforms does KnobMan run on?

2. Using KnobMan

2.1 How do I scale a primitive?
2.2 How do I make a specular/shadow of a rotating knob?
2.3 How do I rotate the 'Emboss' direction?
2.4 What is the 'Intelligent Alpha' in 'Image' primitive pane?
2.5 How do I load a pre-rendered stitched bitmap?
2.6 How do I load pre-rendered individual frame by frame bitmaps?
2.7 How do I rotate a primitive at offseted position?
2.8 How do I make non-linear animation, for example PEAK LED on VU meter?

1.1 What is KnobMan?

KnobMan is a 'Knob' design tool that may useful for VST plugin development. KnobMan can export stitched animation strip of the Knob / Slider / Switches.

1.2 What platforms does KnobMan run on?

Windows XP or later. Windows 2000 also supported if you properly install 'gdiplus.dll'. there are no plan for Mac or Linux.

2.1 How do I scale a primitive?

Use the 'Zoom' parameter for scale the primitives except for 'Text'. For 'Text' primitive, the 'FontSize' parameter is more recommendable for fine edge. of course you should use 'Zoom' parameter for 'Text' if you need zooming animation.

2.2 How do I make a specular/shadow of a rotating knob?

Use 'Lighting Effect' group parameter instead of the primitive parameter.
Each layer processed according to the sequence of
Primitive => 'Layout' group (including 'Angle') => 'Lighing Effects' group
Then, If you make 'Specular' or 'Emboss' in the Primitive parameter, the shadows will be rotated accompanied with the primitive rotation.

2.3 How do I rotate the 'Emboss' direction?

currently, the emboss cannot be rotated. except for rotating the primitive itself. I recommend to use the 'edge hilight' instead (even though a little diffrent looks).

Emboss: an attribute of the primitive. fixed direction for the primitive. rotated if you rotate the primitive.

Edge hilight: an after effect of the rotation. definable direction and constant dir even if you rotate the primitive.

2.4 What is the 'Intelligent Alpha' in 'Image' primitive pane?

IntelliAlpha will try to re-build alpha information from non-alpha channeled bitmaps (not only the 1st-pix color will be transparent, but also similar colors are gradated).

2.5 Can KnobMan load a pre-rendered stitched bitmap?

Yes. At First, load as a 'Image' primitive. Next, setup 'Frames' and 'Horizontal' parameter of the 'Stitched' group of the primitive.

2.6 How do I load pre-rendered individual frame by frame bitmaps?

Currently, you should make many 'Image' primitives for each bitmap, and setup 'Frame Mask' in the Mask group for each bitmap.

2.7 How do I rotate a primitive at offseted position?

First, set the offset position by 'OffsetX' and 'OffsetY'. Next, set the 'RotCenterX' and 'Y' to same values. then the 'Angle' works at the offseted position.

2.8 How do I make non-linear animation, for example PEAK LED on VU meter?

There are two approach. for example, LED lit when over 80%:
1. Use 'Frame Mask' with 'Start'=80%, 'Stop'=100%
2. Use 'Alpha' animation with 'AnimCurve'. Though all animation is linear from the first frame to the last frame in default, you can select another curve by 'AnimCurve'. (the small rect button next the 'Animate' (Triangle icon) button).

g200kg

KnobMan1.26 Online Help

FAQ