What are subcompositions and why they matter

Subcompositions are the core concept of Helmo Graphics. They are the overlays you control during a live show.

While elements are the things you see (text, images, shapes), subcompositions are the containers that hold those elements and define when they appear and disappear.

Why subcompositions?

During a live broadcast, you don't control individual text or image elements; you bring entire overlays in and out. A "lower third" overlay might contain a background bar, a name, and a title. All three need to animate together. That's what a subcomposition does.

Each subcomposition has

• A name: shows up in Helmo Control buttons (for example, "Lower Third", "Score")
• A state: IN (visible), OUT (hidden), or Preview
• An IN animation: how it enters the screen
• An OUT animation: how it exits
• A Logic Layer: category for organization (Lower Thirds, Bugs, Full Screen, etc.)

How many subcompositions per graphic?

As many as you need. A typical sports graphic might have:

• "Score Bug": always visible during play
• "Player Card": shows on player events
• "Lower Third": commentary names
• "Ticker": scrolling news at the bottom
• "Full Screen Stats": halftime statistics

Each one is controlled independently from Helmo Control.