Abstract: A post production offline editing system including a processor programmed to display an initial menu prompting a user to select a multiple camera editing mode (in which the user selects edits while simultaneously viewing scenes from two or more sources), a single camera editing mode, a display edit information mode, or a scene take management mode. Preferably in the single camera edit mode, the user may select a splice (or transition) between two edits by selecting a sequence of items from sequentially displayed transition menus. For example, a first pulldown transition menu prompts the user to select a general transition type such as a "dissolve" or "wipe," and a second pulldown transition menu then prompts the user to select one of several versions of the selected general transition type. In the multiple camera editing mode, the user may select either a set-up mode or an execute mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a multi-dimensional user interface for use in audio visual production. A display system including a central processing unit (CPU) is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad and/or track ball as well as a display device. The CPU is further coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and is also coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of system resource devices such as editors, music synthesizers, graphics generators, scheduling resources, audio enhancement resources, etc. A user viewing the interface on the display may utilize one of the input devices, such as by way of example, the keyboard, to select, incorporate or otherwise integrate the various system resources to develop a unified multi-media production.