{ "id": "timeline", "name": "Timeline", "displayName": "Timeline", "category": "CHOP", "subcategory": "Generators", "version": "", "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.737Z", "sourceFile": "C:\\Program Files\\Derivative\\TouchDesigner\\Samples\\Learn\\OfflineHelp\\https.docs.derivative.ca\\Timeline_CHOP.htm", "url": "", "description": "The Timeline CHOP outputs time-based CHOP channels for a specific component. The time channels are defined by a Time Component whose Path can be determined using the python expression me.time. When a Reference Node is specified, the time defined at that node is used. When the Reference Node is not specified, then the time defined at the Timeline CHOP's location is used (ie. time defined at me.time).", "summary": "The Timeline CHOP outputs time-based CHOP channels for a specific component. The time channels are defined by a Time Component whose Path can be determined using the python expression me.time. When a ", "details": "", "usage": "", "tips": [], "warnings": [], "parameters": [ { "id": null, "name": "Reference Operator", "label": "Reference Operator", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "From Derivative\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tJump to navigation\n\t\tJump to search\n\t\t\nThe outputs time-based channels for a specific component. The time channels are defined by a Time Component whose Path can be determined using the python expression me.time. When a is specified, the time defined at that node is used. When the Node is not specified, then the time defined at the 's location is used (ie. time defined at me.time).\ntimelineCHOP_Class\n\nContents\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n op - This node is used to specify the time referenced by the . The time is defined by the Time found at me.time\n\n\n\n usetimecode - When enabled, the will get its time from a timecode reference, rather than the . The Operator will still be used for bpm, time signature, start, and end values.\n\n\n\n timecodeop - a timecode that sets the time. Should be a reference to either a with channels 'hour', 'second', 'minute', 'frame', a with a timecode string in its first cell, or a Timecode Class object. The Operator will still be used to get bpm, time signature, start, and end values.\n\n\n\n frame - Output a channel for frame number.\n\n\n\t\n rate - Output a channel for the rate (frames per second).\n\n\n\t\n start - Output a channel with the Start frame value.\n\n\n\t\n end - Output a channel with the End frame value.\n\n\n\t\n rangestart - Output a channel with the Range Start frame value.\n\n\n\t\n rangeend - Output a channel with the Range End frame value.\n\n\n\t\n signature1 - Output a channel for the first number in the timing signature, how many beats are in a measure.\n\n\n\t\n signature2 - Output a channel for the second number in the timing signature, which kind of note constitutes one beat.\n\n\n\t\n bpm - Output a channel with the BPM value.\n\n\n\t\n play - Output a channel with the current play state.\n\n\n\n\n\n timeslice - Turning this on forces the channels to be \"Time Sliced\". A is the time between the last cook frame and the current cook frame.\n\n\n\n scope - To determine which channels get affected, some CHOPs use a string on the Common page.\n\n\n\n srselect - - Handle cases where multiple input CHOPs' sample rates are different. When Resampling occurs, the curves are interpolated according to the Interpolation Method Option, or \"Linear\" if the Interpolate Options are not available.\n\n first - Use rate of first input to resample others. max - Resample to the highest sample rate. min - Resample to the lowest sample rate. err - Doesn't accept conflicting sample rates.\n\n exportmethod - - This will determine how to connect the channel to the parameter. Refer to the Export article for more information.\n\n datindex - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the index of the channel in the . datname - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the name of the channel in the . autoname - The channel is the full destination of where to export to, such has geo1/transform1:tx.\n\n autoexportroot - This path points to the root node where all of the paths that exporting by Channel Name is : are relative to.\n\n\n\n exporttable - The used to hold the export information when using the Table Methods (See above).\n\n\n\n\n\nExtra Information for the can be accessed via an Info CHOP.\n\n\n\n - Start of the interval in samples. - Number of samples in the . - The samplerate of the channels in frames per second. - Number of channels in the . - 1 if is enabled, 0 otherwise. - A count of how often the export connections have been updated.\n - Number of times the operator has cooked since the process started. - Duration of the last cook in milliseconds. - Frame number when this operator was last cooked relative to the component timeline. - Frame number when this operator was last cooked relative to the absolute time. - Time in milliseconds at which the operator started cooking in the frame it was cooked. - Time in milliseconds at which the operator finished cooking in the frame it was cooked. - 1 if operator was cooked this frame. - Number of warnings in this operator if any. - Number of errors in this operator if any.\nTouchDesigner Build: Latest\\n2023.112802021.100002018.28070before 2018.28070\nCHOPs\n• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • \n\nThe panel at the bottom of TouchDesigner, it controls the current global looping Time your TouchDesigner project, or of just one component.\n\n\n\nAn Operator Family which operate on Channels (a sequence of numbers (Samples)) which are used for animation, audio, mathematics, simulation, logic, UI construction, and data streamed from/to devices and protocols.\n\n\n\nA Link. The grey dashed lines between nodes is a Reference or Link that indicates one operator is getting data from another operator from any Operator Family.\n\n\nThe grey dashed lines between nodes is a Reference (or Link). A Reference is (1) a Parameter Reference, a parameter in an OP that is a name or path to another operator, (2) a Node Reference, an expression in a parameter or DAT script that contains the name or path of another operator, (3) a DAT Cell Reference or (4) a CHOP Channel Reference.\n\n\nA Link or Reference is a dashed line between nodes that represent other data flowing between nodes. Examples are CHOP Exports, node Paths in parameters, and expressions in parameters referencing CHOP channels, DAT tables and other nodes. In contrast is a Wire that connects nodes in the same Operator Family.\n\n\n\nThe generic thing that holds an Operator, and includes Flags (display, bypass, lock, render, immune) and its position/size in the network. Whether you \"lay down an Operator\" or \"lay down an Node\", you're doing the same thing.\n\n\n\nAny of the procedural data operators. OPs do all the work in TouchDesigner. They \"cook\" and output data to other OPs, which ultimately result in new images, data and audio being generated. See Node.\n\n\n\nAn Operator Family that contains its own Network. There are sixteen 3D Object Component and ten 2D Panel Component types. See also Network Path.\n\n\n\nThe sub-Family of Component types that are used to define and render 3D scenes. A Geometry Component is an Object that contains the 3D shapes to render. A Camera COMP and Light COMP are other Object types. Separately, \"Objects\" also refers to Python objects.\n\n\n\nAn Operator Family that manipulates text strings: multi-line text or tables. Multi-line text is often a python Script or GLSL Shader, but can be any multi-line text. Tables are rows and columns of cells, each containing a text string.\n\n\n\nThe term \"Frame\" is a measurement of time used (1) in the Timeline, (2) as a time-unit in CHOPs, and (3) as a time unit in movie files that are read into TOPs and written out from TOPs. The frame rate is the frames per second (FPS).\n\n\n\nA Time Slice is the time from the last cook frame to the current cook frame. In CHOPs it is the set of short channels that contain the CHOP channels' samples between the last and the current cook frame.\n\n\n\nA parameter in most CHOPs that restricts which channels of that CHOP will be affected. Normally all channels of a CHOP are affected by the operator. TOPs have Channel Mask, a similar feature.\n\n\n\nsamples-per-second of a CHOP. Each CHOP in your network has a sample rate. In contrast, the overall timeline has a Frame Rate, which is the number of frames to cook and display per second, generally your monitor display frequency, default 60.\n\n\n\nExporting is the connection of CHOP channels to parameters of operators. The output of each exporting CHOP is one or more channels, active only while the CHOP Viewer is on. The current value of a channel can be exported to a parameter of any operator, overriding that parameter's value. See Parameter.\n\n\n\nThe location of an operator within the TouchDesigner environment, for example, /geo1/circle1, a node called circle1 in a component called geo1. The path / is called Root. This path is displayed at the top of every Pane, showing which Component's network you are currently in. To refer instead to a filesystem folder, directory, disk file or http: address, see Folder.\n\n\n\nEvery operator in TouchDesigner has a set of control Parameters that can be integer or floating point numbers, menus, binary toggles, text strings or operator paths, which determine the output of the operator.\n\n\n\nTouchDesigner is a hierarchy of components. \"root\" is the top-most network in the hierarchy. The Network Path or Path for root is simply /. A typical path is /project1/moviein1.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRetrieved from \"https://docs.derivative.ca/index.php?title=Timeline_CHOP&oldid=30383\"\n\t\tCategory: CHOPs", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.730Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Reference Operator", "label": "Reference Operator", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "From Derivative\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tJump to navigation\n\t\tJump to search\n\t\t\nThe outputs time-based channels for a specific component. The time channels are defined by a Time Component whose Path can be determined using the python expression me.time. When a is specified, the time defined at that node is used. When the Node is not specified, then the time defined at the 's location is used (ie. time defined at me.time).\ntimelineCHOP_Class\n\nContents\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n op - This node is used to specify the time referenced by the . The time is defined by the Time found at me.time\n\n\n\n usetimecode - When enabled, the will get its time from a timecode reference, rather than the . The Operator will still be used for bpm, time signature, start, and end values.\n\n\n\n timecodeop - a timecode that sets the time. Should be a reference to either a with channels 'hour', 'second', 'minute', 'frame', a with a timecode string in its first cell, or a Timecode Class object. The Operator will still be used to get bpm, time signature, start, and end values.\n\n\n\n frame - Output a channel for frame number.\n\n\n\t\n rate - Output a channel for the rate (frames per second).\n\n\n\t\n start - Output a channel with the Start frame value.\n\n\n\t\n end - Output a channel with the End frame value.\n\n\n\t\n rangestart - Output a channel with the Range Start frame value.\n\n\n\t\n rangeend - Output a channel with the Range End frame value.\n\n\n\t\n signature1 - Output a channel for the first number in the timing signature, how many beats are in a measure.\n\n\n\t\n signature2 - Output a channel for the second number in the timing signature, which kind of note constitutes one beat.\n\n\n\t\n bpm - Output a channel with the BPM value.\n\n\n\t\n play - Output a channel with the current play state.\n\n\n\n\n\n timeslice - Turning this on forces the channels to be \"Time Sliced\". A is the time between the last cook frame and the current cook frame.\n\n\n\n scope - To determine which channels get affected, some CHOPs use a string on the Common page.\n\n\n\n srselect - - Handle cases where multiple input CHOPs' sample rates are different. When Resampling occurs, the curves are interpolated according to the Interpolation Method Option, or \"Linear\" if the Interpolate Options are not available.\n\n first - Use rate of first input to resample others. max - Resample to the highest sample rate. min - Resample to the lowest sample rate. err - Doesn't accept conflicting sample rates.\n\n exportmethod - - This will determine how to connect the channel to the parameter. Refer to the Export article for more information.\n\n datindex - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the index of the channel in the . datname - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the name of the channel in the . autoname - The channel is the full destination of where to export to, such has geo1/transform1:tx.\n\n autoexportroot - This path points to the root node where all of the paths that exporting by Channel Name is : are relative to.\n\n\n\n exporttable - The used to hold the export information when using the Table Methods (See above).\n\n\n\n\n\nExtra Information for the can be accessed via an Info CHOP.\n\n\n\n - Start of the interval in samples. - Number of samples in the . - The samplerate of the channels in frames per second. - Number of channels in the . - 1 if is enabled, 0 otherwise. - A count of how often the export connections have been updated.\n - Number of times the operator has cooked since the process started. - Duration of the last cook in milliseconds. - Frame number when this operator was last cooked relative to the component timeline. - Frame number when this operator was last cooked relative to the absolute time. - Time in milliseconds at which the operator started cooking in the frame it was cooked. - Time in milliseconds at which the operator finished cooking in the frame it was cooked. - 1 if operator was cooked this frame. - Number of warnings in this operator if any. - Number of errors in this operator if any.\nTouchDesigner Build: Latest\\n2023.112802021.100002018.28070before 2018.28070\nCHOPs\n• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • \n\nThe panel at the bottom of TouchDesigner, it controls the current global looping Time your TouchDesigner project, or of just one component.\n\n\n\nAn Operator Family which operate on Channels (a sequence of numbers (Samples)) which are used for animation, audio, mathematics, simulation, logic, UI construction, and data streamed from/to devices and protocols.\n\n\n\nA Link. The grey dashed lines between nodes is a Reference or Link that indicates one operator is getting data from another operator from any Operator Family.\n\n\nThe grey dashed lines between nodes is a Reference (or Link). A Reference is (1) a Parameter Reference, a parameter in an OP that is a name or path to another operator, (2) a Node Reference, an expression in a parameter or DAT script that contains the name or path of another operator, (3) a DAT Cell Reference or (4) a CHOP Channel Reference.\n\n\nA Link or Reference is a dashed line between nodes that represent other data flowing between nodes. Examples are CHOP Exports, node Paths in parameters, and expressions in parameters referencing CHOP channels, DAT tables and other nodes. In contrast is a Wire that connects nodes in the same Operator Family.\n\n\n\nThe generic thing that holds an Operator, and includes Flags (display, bypass, lock, render, immune) and its position/size in the network. Whether you \"lay down an Operator\" or \"lay down an Node\", you're doing the same thing.\n\n\n\nAny of the procedural data operators. OPs do all the work in TouchDesigner. They \"cook\" and output data to other OPs, which ultimately result in new images, data and audio being generated. See Node.\n\n\n\nAn Operator Family that contains its own Network. There are sixteen 3D Object Component and ten 2D Panel Component types. See also Network Path.\n\n\n\nThe sub-Family of Component types that are used to define and render 3D scenes. A Geometry Component is an Object that contains the 3D shapes to render. A Camera COMP and Light COMP are other Object types. Separately, \"Objects\" also refers to Python objects.\n\n\n\nAn Operator Family that manipulates text strings: multi-line text or tables. Multi-line text is often a python Script or GLSL Shader, but can be any multi-line text. Tables are rows and columns of cells, each containing a text string.\n\n\n\nThe term \"Frame\" is a measurement of time used (1) in the Timeline, (2) as a time-unit in CHOPs, and (3) as a time unit in movie files that are read into TOPs and written out from TOPs. The frame rate is the frames per second (FPS).\n\n\n\nA Time Slice is the time from the last cook frame to the current cook frame. In CHOPs it is the set of short channels that contain the CHOP channels' samples between the last and the current cook frame.\n\n\n\nA parameter in most CHOPs that restricts which channels of that CHOP will be affected. Normally all channels of a CHOP are affected by the operator. TOPs have Channel Mask, a similar feature.\n\n\n\nsamples-per-second of a CHOP. Each CHOP in your network has a sample rate. In contrast, the overall timeline has a Frame Rate, which is the number of frames to cook and display per second, generally your monitor display frequency, default 60.\n\n\n\nExporting is the connection of CHOP channels to parameters of operators. The output of each exporting CHOP is one or more channels, active only while the CHOP Viewer is on. The current value of a channel can be exported to a parameter of any operator, overriding that parameter's value. See Parameter.\n\n\n\nThe location of an operator within the TouchDesigner environment, for example, /geo1/circle1, a node called circle1 in a component called geo1. The path / is called Root. This path is displayed at the top of every Pane, showing which Component's network you are currently in. To refer instead to a filesystem folder, directory, disk file or http: address, see Folder.\n\n\n\nEvery operator in TouchDesigner has a set of control Parameters that can be integer or floating point numbers, menus, binary toggles, text strings or operator paths, which determine the output of the operator.\n\n\n\nTouchDesigner is a hierarchy of components. \"root\" is the top-most network in the hierarchy. The Network Path or Path for root is simply /. A typical path is /project1/moviein1.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRetrieved from \"https://docs.derivative.ca/index.php?title=Timeline_CHOP&oldid=30383\"\n\t\tCategory: CHOPs", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.732Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Reference Operator", "label": "Reference Operator", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "The outputs time-based channels for a specific component. The time channels are defined by a Time Component whose Path can be determined using the python expression me.time. When a is specified, the time defined at that node is used. When the Node is not specified, then the time defined at the 's location is used (ie. time defined at me.time).\ntimelineCHOP_Class\n\nContents\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n op - This node is used to specify the time referenced by the . The time is defined by the Time found at me.time\n\n\n\n usetimecode - When enabled, the will get its time from a timecode reference, rather than the . The Operator will still be used for bpm, time signature, start, and end values.\n\n\n\n timecodeop - a timecode that sets the time. Should be a reference to either a with channels 'hour', 'second', 'minute', 'frame', a with a timecode string in its first cell, or a Timecode Class object. The Operator will still be used to get bpm, time signature, start, and end values.\n\n\n\n frame - Output a channel for frame number.\n\n\n\t\n rate - Output a channel for the rate (frames per second).\n\n\n\t\n start - Output a channel with the Start frame value.\n\n\n\t\n end - Output a channel with the End frame value.\n\n\n\t\n rangestart - Output a channel with the Range Start frame value.\n\n\n\t\n rangeend - Output a channel with the Range End frame value.\n\n\n\t\n signature1 - Output a channel for the first number in the timing signature, how many beats are in a measure.\n\n\n\t\n signature2 - Output a channel for the second number in the timing signature, which kind of note constitutes one beat.\n\n\n\t\n bpm - Output a channel with the BPM value.\n\n\n\t\n play - Output a channel with the current play state.\n\n\n\n\n\n timeslice - Turning this on forces the channels to be \"Time Sliced\". A is the time between the last cook frame and the current cook frame.\n\n\n\n scope - To determine which channels get affected, some CHOPs use a string on the Common page.\n\n\n\n srselect - - Handle cases where multiple input CHOPs' sample rates are different. When Resampling occurs, the curves are interpolated according to the Interpolation Method Option, or \"Linear\" if the Interpolate Options are not available.\n\n first - Use rate of first input to resample others. max - Resample to the highest sample rate. min - Resample to the lowest sample rate. err - Doesn't accept conflicting sample rates.\n\n exportmethod - - This will determine how to connect the channel to the parameter. Refer to the Export article for more information.\n\n datindex - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the index of the channel in the . datname - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the name of the channel in the . autoname - The channel is the full destination of where to export to, such has geo1/transform1:tx.\n\n autoexportroot - This path points to the root node where all of the paths that exporting by Channel Name is : are relative to.\n\n\n\n exporttable - The used to hold the export information when using the Table Methods (See above).\n\n\n\n\n\nExtra Information for the can be accessed via an Info CHOP.\n\n\n\n - Start of the interval in samples. - Number of samples in the . - The samplerate of the channels in frames per second. - Number of channels in the . - 1 if is enabled, 0 otherwise. - A count of how often the export connections have been updated.\n - Number of times the operator has cooked since the process started. - Duration of the last cook in milliseconds. - Frame number when this operator was last cooked relative to the component timeline. - Frame number when this operator was last cooked relative to the absolute time. - Time in milliseconds at which the operator started cooking in the frame it was cooked. - Time in milliseconds at which the operator finished cooking in the frame it was cooked. - 1 if operator was cooked this frame. - Number of warnings in this operator if any. - Number of errors in this operator if any.\nTouchDesigner Build: Latest\\n2023.112802021.100002018.28070before 2018.28070\nCHOPs\n• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • \n\nThe panel at the bottom of TouchDesigner, it controls the current global looping Time your TouchDesigner project, or of just one component.\n\n\n\nAn Operator Family which operate on Channels (a sequence of numbers (Samples)) which are used for animation, audio, mathematics, simulation, logic, UI construction, and data streamed from/to devices and protocols.\n\n\n\nA Link. The grey dashed lines between nodes is a Reference or Link that indicates one operator is getting data from another operator from any Operator Family.\n\n\nThe grey dashed lines between nodes is a Reference (or Link). A Reference is (1) a Parameter Reference, a parameter in an OP that is a name or path to another operator, (2) a Node Reference, an expression in a parameter or DAT script that contains the name or path of another operator, (3) a DAT Cell Reference or (4) a CHOP Channel Reference.\n\n\nA Link or Reference is a dashed line between nodes that represent other data flowing between nodes. Examples are CHOP Exports, node Paths in parameters, and expressions in parameters referencing CHOP channels, DAT tables and other nodes. In contrast is a Wire that connects nodes in the same Operator Family.\n\n\n\nThe generic thing that holds an Operator, and includes Flags (display, bypass, lock, render, immune) and its position/size in the network. Whether you \"lay down an Operator\" or \"lay down an Node\", you're doing the same thing.\n\n\n\nAny of the procedural data operators. OPs do all the work in TouchDesigner. They \"cook\" and output data to other OPs, which ultimately result in new images, data and audio being generated. See Node.\n\n\n\nAn Operator Family that contains its own Network. There are sixteen 3D Object Component and ten 2D Panel Component types. See also Network Path.\n\n\n\nThe sub-Family of Component types that are used to define and render 3D scenes. A Geometry Component is an Object that contains the 3D shapes to render. A Camera COMP and Light COMP are other Object types. Separately, \"Objects\" also refers to Python objects.\n\n\n\nAn Operator Family that manipulates text strings: multi-line text or tables. Multi-line text is often a python Script or GLSL Shader, but can be any multi-line text. Tables are rows and columns of cells, each containing a text string.\n\n\n\nThe term \"Frame\" is a measurement of time used (1) in the Timeline, (2) as a time-unit in CHOPs, and (3) as a time unit in movie files that are read into TOPs and written out from TOPs. The frame rate is the frames per second (FPS).\n\n\n\nA Time Slice is the time from the last cook frame to the current cook frame. In CHOPs it is the set of short channels that contain the CHOP channels' samples between the last and the current cook frame.\n\n\n\nA parameter in most CHOPs that restricts which channels of that CHOP will be affected. Normally all channels of a CHOP are affected by the operator. TOPs have Channel Mask, a similar feature.\n\n\n\nsamples-per-second of a CHOP. Each CHOP in your network has a sample rate. In contrast, the overall timeline has a Frame Rate, which is the number of frames to cook and display per second, generally your monitor display frequency, default 60.\n\n\n\nExporting is the connection of CHOP channels to parameters of operators. The output of each exporting CHOP is one or more channels, active only while the CHOP Viewer is on. The current value of a channel can be exported to a parameter of any operator, overriding that parameter's value. See Parameter.\n\n\n\nThe location of an operator within the TouchDesigner environment, for example, /geo1/circle1, a node called circle1 in a component called geo1. The path / is called Root. This path is displayed at the top of every Pane, showing which Component's network you are currently in. To refer instead to a filesystem folder, directory, disk file or http: address, see Folder.\n\n\n\nEvery operator in TouchDesigner has a set of control Parameters that can be integer or floating point numbers, menus, binary toggles, text strings or operator paths, which determine the output of the operator.\n\n\n\nTouchDesigner is a hierarchy of components. \"root\" is the top-most network in the hierarchy. The Network Path or Path for root is simply /. A typical path is /project1/moviein1.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRetrieved from \"https://docs.derivative.ca/index.php?title=Timeline_CHOP&oldid=30383\"", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Reference Operator", "label": "Reference Operator", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "op - This node is used to specify the time referenced by the . The time is defined by the Time found at me.time", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Use Timecode", "label": "Use Timecode", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "usetimecode - When enabled, the will get its time from a timecode reference, rather than the . The Operator will still be used for bpm, time signature, start, and end values.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Timecode Object/CHOP/DAT", "label": "Timecode Object/CHOP/DAT", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "timecodeop - a timecode that sets the time. Should be a reference to either a with channels 'hour', 'second', 'minute', 'frame', a with a timecode string in its first cell, or a Timecode Class object. The Operator will still be used to get bpm, time signature, start, and end values.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Frame", "label": "Frame", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "frame - Output a channel for frame number.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Rate", "label": "Rate", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "rate - Output a channel for the rate (frames per second).", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Start", "label": "Start", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "start - Output a channel with the Start frame value.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "End", "label": "End", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "end - Output a channel with the End frame value.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Range Start", "label": "Range Start", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "rangestart - Output a channel with the Range Start frame value.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Range End", "label": "Range End", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "rangeend - Output a channel with the Range End frame value.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Signature 1", "label": "Signature 1", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "signature1 - Output a channel for the first number in the timing signature, how many beats are in a measure.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.734Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Signature 2", "label": "Signature 2", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "signature2 - Output a channel for the second number in the timing signature, which kind of note constitutes one beat.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "BPM", "label": "BPM", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "bpm - Output a channel with the BPM value.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Play", "label": "Play", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "play - Output a channel with the current play state.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Time Slice", "label": "Time Slice", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "timeslice - Turning this on forces the channels to be \"Time Sliced\". A is the time between the last cook frame and the current cook frame.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Scope", "label": "Scope", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "scope - To determine which channels get affected, some CHOPs use a string on the Common page.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Sample Rate Match", "label": "Sample Rate Match", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "srselect - - Handle cases where multiple input CHOPs' sample rates are different. When Resampling occurs, the curves are interpolated according to the Interpolation Method Option, or \"Linear\" if the Interpolate Options are not available.\n\n first - Use rate of first input to resample others. max - Resample to the highest sample rate. min - Resample to the lowest sample rate. err - Doesn't accept conflicting sample rates.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Resample At First Input's Rate", "label": "Resample At First Input's Rate", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "first - Use rate of first input to resample others. max - Resample to the highest sample rate. min - Resample to the lowest sample rate. err - Doesn't accept conflicting sample rates.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Export Method", "label": "Export Method", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "exportmethod - - This will determine how to connect the channel to the parameter. Refer to the Export article for more information.\n\n datindex - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the index of the channel in the . datname - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the name of the channel in the . autoname - The channel is the full destination of where to export to, such has geo1/transform1:tx.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "DAT Table by Index", "label": "DAT Table by Index", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "datindex - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the index of the channel in the . datname - Uses the docked table and references the channel via the name of the channel in the . autoname - The channel is the full destination of where to export to, such has geo1/transform1:tx.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Export Root", "label": "Export Root", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "autoexportroot - This path points to the root node where all of the paths that exporting by Channel Name is : are relative to.", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.735Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null }, { "id": null, "name": "Export Table", "label": "Export Table", "group": "General", "page": "", "type": "float", "dataType": "number", "style": "", "defaultValue": null, "minValue": null, "maxValue": null, "step": null, "menuItems": [], "menuLabels": [], "allowCustom": false, "maxLength": null, "pattern": null, "isArray": false, "arraySize": 1, "dimensions": 1, "description": "exporttable - The used to hold the export information when using the Table Methods (See above).", "tooltip": "", "help": "", "units": "", "examples": [], "isReadOnly": false, "isAdvanced": false, "isHidden": false, "isAnimatable": true, "isExpression": false, "isPython": false, "dependsOn": [], "affects": [], "linkedTo": [], "expressionLanguage": "", "defaultExpression": "", "commonExpressions": [], "order": 0, "isVisible": true, "conditionalDisplay": null, "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [], "lastUpdated": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.736Z", "rawData": {}, "sourceElement": null } ], "parameterGroups": {}, "codeExamples": [], "pythonExamples": [], "expressions": [], "commonInputs": [], "commonOutputs": [], "relatedOperators": [], "workflowPatterns": [], "images": [], "videos": [], "assets": [], "keywords": [ "timeline", "chop", "outputs", "time-based", "channels", "specific", "component.", "time" ], "tags": [ "CHOP", "TouchDesigner", "Timeline" ], "searchWeight": 1, "contentHash": "", "processingDate": "2025-08-08T00:37:54.737Z", "processingVersion": "1.0.0", "isValid": true, "validationErrors": [] }