Unilighter features a dual-engine animation system designed to handle everything from punchy, tempo-locked rhythmic chases to fluid, multi-parameter theatrical sweeps and complex moving head choreography.

![Keyframe Animation Timeline](https://unilighter.cc/info/docs/animations/screen_animations_f2da2ddb.png)

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## 🎭 Three Animation Paradigms

Depending on whether your lighting cues require discrete stepped states, continuous parametric motion curves, or 2D spatial surface mapping, Unilighter provides three dedicated animation engines:

| Feature | 🏃 [Step Animations](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/animations/step.md) | 🎞️ [Keyframe Animations](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/animations/keyframe.md) | 🌐 [Choreography Animations](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/animations/choreography.md) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Model** | Discrete steps / chase sequences | Continuous multi-track parametric timeline | 2D spatial canvas & emitter pixel mapping |
| **Interpolation** | Hold duration + step crossfade | Bézier curves, easing transitions, linear ramps | Frame-to-frame raster morphing & procedural LFOs |
| **Best For** | Rhythmic chases, color bumps, strobe hits | Fluid pan/tilt sweeps, ballyhoos, theatrical fades | LED bars, stage sweeps, radial ripples, pixel arrays |
| **Timing** | Millisecond hold or 1-beat snap (`On Beat`) | Milliseconds (`ms`) or musical beats (`beats`) | Musical beats (`beats`) or milliseconds (`ms`) |
| **Generators** | Step Generator (Odd/Even, One by One, Fill) | LFO wave generator curves per track | 2D spatial generators (Sweep, Wave, Radial, Noise) |
| **Creation** | Step list with embedded Scene Editors | Multi-track timeline with keyframe marquee | 2D pixel paint suite (Pencil, Shapes, Lasso, Fill) |

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## ⚡ Core Engine Features

### 1. Tempo & BPM Synchronization
All animations in Unilighter run in sync with the console's master tempo engine:
- **Master BPM**: Set the tempo via numerical entry or tap tempo (`TAP`).
- **Beat Snapping**: Step animations can bind their step intervals to music beats (`On Beat`). Keyframe and Choreography timelines can operate entirely in musical beat fractions (`1/1`, `1/2`, `1/4`, `1/8`, `1/16`).
- **Tempo Multipliers**: Scale keyframe playback on the fly (`8x`, `4x`, `2x`, `1x`, `/2`, `/4`, `/8`) without altering programmed keyframes.
- **Resync Beat**: One-click beat alignment (`Resync Beat`) re-synchronizes all active phase counters to the downbeat during live DJ sets.

### 2. Priority Layering
Animations output signals through Unilighter's hierarchical [Priority System](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/priorities.md):
- **Base Ambient Animations** (`Priority: 0 - 10`): Gentle color cycles, slow wave washes, and background atmospheric motion.
- **Dynamic Action Cues** (`Priority: 10 - 50`): Rhythmic fixture sweeps, chorus chases, spatial matrix ripples, and keyframe motion tracks.
- **Accent & Strobe Bursts** (`Priority: 50 - 90`): High-priority blinders and strobe chases that temporarily override active animations and scenes.
- **Manual Live Faders** (`Priority: 100`): Live faders on the [Dashboard](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/dashboard.md) always retain ultimate control when busked manually.

### 3. Live Dashboard Integration
Once designed, animations are launched and modulated directly from the performance desk:
- **[Function Widget](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/dashboard/widget-function.md)**: Trigger any Step, Keyframe, or Choreography animation instantly with dedicated touch buttons.
- **[Keyframe Animation Widget](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/dashboard/widget-keyframe-animation.md)**: Live transport panel featuring play/pause, scrub slider, loop toggle, and real-time playback indicator.

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## 🪄 Rapid Creation Tools

- **Animation Generator**: Instantly bake multi-fixture chases (Odd/Even, One-by-One, Fill) across patched devices.
- **Spatial Generators in Choreography**: Generate mathematical wave crests, directional sweeps, and circular ripples across 2D arrays in real time.

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## 📖 In-Depth Guides

Explore the detailed operation manuals for each engine:

- 🏃 **[Step & Chase Animation Editor](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/animations/step.md)**: Master discrete chase sequences, color transition geometries, hold/fade times, step reordering, and live auditioning.
- 🎞️ **[Keyframe Animation Timeline](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/animations/keyframe.md)**: Master continuous multi-track timelines, easing curves, marquee selection, keyboard shortcuts, and master aggregation tracks.
- 🌐 **[Spatial Matrix & Choreography Editor](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/animations/choreography.md)**: Master 2D emitter mapping, pixel canvas drawing, raster motion paths, and procedural spatial wave generators.