Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for designing effects. A first window comprising a first copy of a first scene may be created. The first scene comprises a first visual effect. A second window comprising a second copy of the first scene may be created. The first window and the second window are configured to enable testing and comparison of different versions of the first visual effect in the first scene at an approximately same time. The first copy of the first scene in the first window may be modified based on a first change to at least one attribute of the first visual effect in the first copy of the first scene. The second copy of the first scene in the second window may be modified based on a second change to at least one attribute of the first visual effect in the second copy of the first scene.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for synchronizing multiple instances of projects. At least one Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection may be established between a server computing device and at least one client computing device. At least one dual instance command may be created. The at least one dual instance command comprises data associated with a project and information indicating how to interpret the data. A plurality of instances of the project may be synchronized between the server computing device and the at least one client computing device by transmitting the at least one dual instance command between the server computing device and the at least one client computing device via the at least one TCP connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for synchronizing multiple instances of projects. At least one Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection may be established between a server computing device and at least one client computing device. At least one dual instance command may be created. The at least one dual instance command comprises data associated with a project and information indicating how to interpret the data. A plurality of instances of the project may be synchronized between the server computing device and the at least one client computing device by transmitting the at least one dual instance command between the server computing device and the at least one client computing device via the at least one TCP connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for designing effects. A first window comprising a first copy of a first scene may be created. The first scene comprises a first visual effect. A second window comprising a second copy of the first scene may be created. The first window and the second window are configured to enable testing and comparison of different versions of the first visual effect in the first scene at an approximately same time. The first copy of the first scene in the first window may be modified based on a first change to at least one attribute of the first visual effect in the first copy of the first scene. The second copy of the first scene in the second window may be modified based on a second change to at least one attribute of the first visual effect in the second copy of the first scene.

Abstract: Techniques for determining when to store content and when to refrain from storing content are described herein. In some instances, devices exchange communications that include different types of content, such as text, audio data, video data, image data, or the like. For instance, a first device may receive, from a second device, a communication that includes audio data representing speech of a user of the second device, along with text for display on the first device. The text may comprise a transcription of the audio file, additional commentary provided by the user of the second device, or the like. Upon receiving the communication that includes text and audio data, the first device may determine whether or not to store the audio data. For instance, the first device may determine whether it currently stores this audio content. If so, then the first device may refrain from storing the content again.