Project, comp and instance.
A project contains comps. Each comp has its own size, rate and duration. Placing a comp in another comp creates an instance, a timed reference to its shared source. A Resolve timeline is a destination timeline, not another name for a carvercat comp.
Use an independent duplicated source when you want unrelated design changes. Use instances when shared changes should stay connected.
Basement and Controls edit the same work.
Basement exposes detailed parameters, effects and relationships. Controls brings selected parameters forward for ordinary editing. Promotion changes their editing surface; it does not create a second value or change the image by itself.
Raise a control at each boundary it crosses. If a lower promotion link is disabled, controls above the break can remain visible but unavailable. Restore the lower link rather than rebuilding the whole arrangement.
Source edits and overrides have different scope.
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Edit shared source | Shared changes reach instances unless a relevant override replaces them |
| Edit exposed instance value | Set that instance’s variation |
| Revert override | Restore following of the source |
| Type matching value | Remain overridden despite matching appearance |
| Duplicate source | Create independent source content |
Grouping is not parenting.
A Group owns nested picture objects and allows shared manipulation. Objects must be in the appropriate common scope; locks and supported object types still apply. Grouping can involve intervening content and a decision, so inspect the actual result.
Parenting makes a child’s transform follow another object without moving it into a Group. Animated detach and placement preservation need inspection; the relationship is different from comp-source reuse.
Know which relationship you are changing.
A parameter wire makes one value follow another. Axis linking relates animation structure. Linked picture/audio clips coordinate timing. Text Stagger takes supported animation as input. These relationships are not interchangeable.
A mask has an intended target and time coverage. Check track scope, selection order and relevant linking/parenting consequences. A refusal is not permission to bypass restrictions through a different command.
Apply and Apply Scale serve different purposes.
A pending template needs Apply to resolve placement before normal output. The reviewed behaviour preserves authored source resolution. Apply Scale is a deliberate source-resolution/geometry decision, not simply the act of applying a template.
Inspect shared instances after applying, and use current catalogue rules rather than assuming all user templates are square. Exposed carvercat controls do not prove an equivalent custom panel in Resolve.