Graphics

I've created a scene to display our "bugs." 

I've set up user hotkeys to clear specific layers so that we can take bugs in and out without affecting other graphics/elements.

I want to make the bug fade in/out.

I'm embarrassed but overwhelmed approaching this problem. I found the video in XpressionU on transition logic, but I can't find an appropriate video explaining how to use the Scene Director. Could someone point me to a tutorial or explanation before I just beat my head into the keyboard until it works...

Also, will this transition logic even work with hotkeys, or do I need to look at a hotkey script? Thanks.

If the bug is on it's own layer in the sequencer you can simply set the trans in and out as "dissolve" Put it on line, it dissolves in. Take off line, it dissolves out. Unless I am missing something. Look into "Dashboard". It can make the user interface much more intuitive.

Thanks Malcolm. I'm just a button-pusher in way over his head, and I don't think we're going to use/get dashboard here.

To clarify my original question, the "clear" hotkeys/shortcuts do not take things offline by default, they just clear them - so the transition doesn't happen as it does when you take a graphic offline.

I spent about 2 hours in total on this, but it actually is pretty simple. I just missed an option...

In case anyone else stumbles across this, I'll post my solution:

1. Create a hotkey (edit --> keyboard/GPI mapping) to clear a specific layer or framebuffer/CG channel.
2. Check the box that says "use out transition for scene."

If anyone does need to use the Scene Director, the process is something like this:

First off watch these videos:

https://www.rossvideo.com/gallery/xpression-u/creating-animations/ - Despite not mentioning the scene director in the title or description, this video does explain how to use it.

https://www.rossvideo.com/gallery/xpression-u/xpression-transition-logic/ - This video shows how to set up animations to play when you take a graphic on or offline.

So what you want to do,

1. Build a scene director to fade in your graphic (shortcut crt+d)
2. Add an animation controller at the appropriate frames (mine was from 0 to 20)
3. Set your object's alpha to zero and set a keyframe at frame zero (shortcut ctr+k)
4. Move to the final frame in your scene director, set your alpha to 100 and set a keyframe.
5. Copy this Scene director and reverse its animation controller's direction to create a fade out.