Background
When a zoom region is selected and playback is paused, the editor intentionally shows the full un-zoomed frame so you can position the focus point by clicking/dragging on the overlay (src/components/video-editor/VideoPlayback.tsx shouldShowUnzoomedView, updateFocusFromClientPoint). This is great for placement, but you can't see what the zoom will actually look like at the chosen focus + depth without hitting Play.
Proposal
Add a press-and-hold "Preview" control in the zoom settings (near the depth/focus controls). While held, the preview renders the selected region's zoom at the current focus + depth — like a before/after photo compare. On release, it returns to the un-zoomed editing view.
Net result: position the focus point and instantly preview the zoom effect without entering playback. This also removes the surprise some users hit where pausing on a selected zoom snaps to the un-zoomed view — they now get an explicit, discoverable affordance to see the zoomed frame.
Sketch (requirements-level, open to maintainer direction)
- A transient
isPreviewingZoom flag: true on pointer-down of the Preview button, false on pointer-up / pointer-leave / blur.
shouldShowUnzoomedView becomes hasSelectedZoom && !isPlaying && !isPreviewingZoom; when previewing, apply the selected region's transform at the current playhead.- Button lives in the zoom controls in
SettingsPanel.tsx; state wired through VideoEditor.tsx down to VideoPlayback (mirrors existing zoom-prop wiring).
- No change to focus-point math or the default editing view; preview is purely additive and momentary.
Open questions
- Placement: settings panel button vs. an on-overlay button?
- Hold-to-preview vs. a toggle?
Happy to send a PR once the direction is confirmed.
Environment
Background
When a zoom region is selected and playback is paused, the editor intentionally shows the full un-zoomed frame so you can position the focus point by clicking/dragging on the overlay (
src/components/video-editor/VideoPlayback.tsxshouldShowUnzoomedView,updateFocusFromClientPoint). This is great for placement, but you can't see what the zoom will actually look like at the chosen focus + depth without hitting Play.Proposal
Add a press-and-hold "Preview" control in the zoom settings (near the depth/focus controls). While held, the preview renders the selected region's zoom at the current focus + depth — like a before/after photo compare. On release, it returns to the un-zoomed editing view.
Net result: position the focus point and instantly preview the zoom effect without entering playback. This also removes the surprise some users hit where pausing on a selected zoom snaps to the un-zoomed view — they now get an explicit, discoverable affordance to see the zoomed frame.
Sketch (requirements-level, open to maintainer direction)
isPreviewingZoomflag: true on pointer-down of the Preview button, false on pointer-up / pointer-leave / blur.shouldShowUnzoomedViewbecomeshasSelectedZoom && !isPlaying && !isPreviewingZoom; when previewing, apply the selected region's transform at the current playhead.SettingsPanel.tsx; state wired throughVideoEditor.tsxdown toVideoPlayback(mirrors existing zoom-prop wiring).Open questions
Happy to send a PR once the direction is confirmed.
Environment