Track Types

Every track has a TrackType that determines what kind of content it produces and which effects it accepts.

Layer

The most common type. A Layer track:

• Renders a chain of ISF generator shaders (or media: video, image, GIF, camera, Syphon)
• Outputs a full-resolution texture
• Blends into the master mix via opacity + blend mode

Use a Layer track for any self-contained visual element — a shader, a video clip, a camera feed.

Effect Bus

An Effect Bus track takes the composite output of tracks below it as its input texture and applies a chain of ISF effect shaders to it. Nothing is generated — only transformed.

Use an Effect Bus to apply global post-processing (blur, color grade, glitch) to everything beneath it.

Feedback Loop

A Feedback Loop track feeds its own output back into itself each frame. The chain has a pre-feedback section and a post-feedback section, with the feedback tap between them.

This creates trails, echo, and smear effects. The strength of the feedback is controlled by the Feedback parameter on the track.

Tip

Use Feedback Effect shaders (red badge in the browser) inside feedback loops — they’re designed specifically for this context.

3D

A 3D track renders a Scene3D — a collection of 3D objects (point clouds, SDF raymarched shapes) composited with Metal-based rendering.

• Objects are driven by displacement shaders (emerald badge in the browser)
• Supports bloom, depth of field, chromatic aberration, force fields
• Outputs a texture that blends into the master mix like any other track

See 3D & Displacement →

Laser (experimental)

Drives a laser projector via ILDA DAC output. Not covered in this manual.

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Choosing the right type

Goal	Use
Generate visuals from scratch	Layer
Transform everything below	Effect Bus
Create trails / echo / smear	Feedback Loop
3D point clouds or SDF shapes	3D