键信号Key Signal

难度LEVELL3 · 高级L3 · Advanced 领域TOPIC调色

先学：Prerequisites: 节点工作流

学习目标LEARNING OBJECTIVES

学完你能说清键信号（Key Signal）是什么、看懂节点上的蓝色三角连接，并用 Outside Node 把一次选区反转复用到新节点。

概念说明CONCEPTS

键信号（Key Signal）是在节点之间传递的"选区地图"——窗口或限定器选出的区域变成一张黑白遮罩：白色是要调的区域，黑色是受保护的区域。

  • 蓝色三角走选区：节点两侧的蓝色三角是 Key Input/Output；绿色圆点走 RGB 画面，两者各走各的。
  • 键本身不调色：它只是"调哪里"的信息，顺着节点从左向右传给下游。
  • Outside Node 自动反转：Add Outside 新建的节点自动接收上一节点的键并反转——选区内调完，选区外接着调。
  • Highlight 看得见键：检视器的 Highlight 按钮把键叠加显示，灰色区域受保护，调哪里一眼确认。

操作步骤STEPS

  1. 在节点上用窗口或限定器做好选区（见 窗口、限定器）先用窗口做好选区
  2. 右键该节点，选 Add Node > Add Outside（快捷键 Option-O/Alt-O）
  3. 观察新节点：蓝色三角已连接，它接收并反转了上一节点的键Outside 节点的蓝色键连接
  4. 点检视器左上角的 Highlight 按钮，确认反转后的作用区域
  5. 在新节点上调色——效果只落在原选区之外

练习PRACTICE

  1. 用窗口圈住天空后 Add Outside：源节点调天空，Outside 节点调地面，一次选区两用。
  2. 打开 Highlight，分别选中两个节点，对比两张"选区地图"的灰白分布。

常见问题FAQ

节点上的蓝三角和绿圆点有什么区别？

绿圆点走画面（RGB），蓝三角走选区（键信号）。普通串行节点只连绿点，涉及选区传递时才出现蓝三角。

Outside Node 和普通串行节点差在哪？

普通节点不携带选区信息；Outside 节点自动接收上一节点的键并反转，专为"调选区以外的部分"而生（详见 反转选区）。

键信号能传回前面的节点吗？

不能，键只顺着节点从左向右流。想在别处用同一选区，从产生选区的节点向后引出，例如 Outside Node 或并行结构。

Learning Objectives学习目标

After this card you can explain what a Key Signal is, read the blue triangle connections on nodes, and reuse a selection on a new node — inverted — with an Outside Node.

Concepts概念说明

A Key Signal is the "selection map" passed between nodes — the area isolated by a window or qualifier becomes a black-and-white matte: white marks the area to be graded, black marks the protected area.

  • Blue triangles carry the selection: the blue triangles on a node are its Key Input/Output; the green circles carry the RGB picture — two separate paths.
  • The key itself grades nothing: it is purely "where to grade" information, flowing left to right through the node tree.
  • Outside Node inverts automatically: a node created with Add Outside receives the previous node's key and inverts it — grade inside the selection, then grade outside it.
  • Highlight shows the key: the viewer's Highlight button overlays the key, shading protected areas gray so you can confirm the target at a glance.

Steps操作步骤

  1. Build the selection on a node with a window or qualifier (see Power Windows, Qualifier)Selection built with a window first
  2. Right-click the node and choose Add Node > Add Outside (shortcut Option-O/Alt-O)
  3. Inspect the new node: the blue triangles are connected — it received and inverted the previous node's keyBlue key connections on an Outside node
  4. Click the Highlight button in the viewer's upper-left to confirm the inverted target area
  5. Grade on the new node — the effect lands only outside the original selection

Practice练习

  1. Circle the sky with a window, then Add Outside: grade the sky on the source node and the ground on the Outside node — one selection, two uses.
  2. Turn on Highlight, select each node in turn, and compare the gray/white distribution of the two selection maps.

FAQ常见问题

What's the difference between the blue triangles and the green circles?

Green circles carry the picture (RGB); blue triangles carry the selection (the key). Plain serial nodes only wire the green dots — blue triangles appear once selections are passed around.

How is an Outside Node different from a plain serial node?

A plain node carries no selection; an Outside Node automatically receives the previous node's key and inverts it — built for "grade everything outside the selection" (see Outside Node).

Can a key flow back to an earlier node?

No — keys only flow left to right. To reuse a selection elsewhere, branch forward from the node that produced it, e.g. an Outside Node or a parallel structure.

深度资料：键信号 →Deep dive: 键信号 →

本卡术语Terms in this card

窗口Power Window 限定器Qualifier 调色Grade 节点Node