Compare View

The Compare view enables side-by-side evaluation of multiple asset versions, making it easier to identify the best option for each shot. Compare view is essential for informed decision-making in the production workflow.

Overview

Access Compare view from the Compare tab in scene detail view. This specialized interface displays multiple assets simultaneously for direct comparison.

Comparison Groups

Assets are organized into comparison groups based on common attributes.

Auto-Grouping

Lazer automatically groups assets by:

• Shot - All versions of the same shot
• Platform - Assets from different platforms for the same shot
• Timestamp - Assets generated around the same time
• Prompt Similarity - Assets with similar generation prompts

Auto-grouping happens in real-time as you capture new assets.

Manual Grouping

Create custom comparison groups:

1. Select multiple assets from the Assets tab
2. Click "Add to Comparison"
3. Name the comparison group
4. Assets appear together in Compare view

Manual groups persist across sessions and can be edited at any time.

Group Management

From the Compare view:

• Add Assets - Include additional versions in the group
• Remove Assets - Remove versions from the group
• Rename Group - Change the group name
• Delete Group - Remove the group (assets remain in project)

Comparison Layout

Grid Layout

Display assets in a responsive grid:

• 2-up: Two assets side-by-side
• 3-up: Three assets in a row
• 4-up: Four assets in a grid
• Auto: Automatically adjusts based on window size

Switch between layouts using the layout selector in the toolbar.

Full-Screen Layout

Expand a single asset to full-screen while keeping others visible as thumbnails along the bottom. Click any thumbnail to swap it into the main view.

Synchronized Playback

For video assets, enable synchronized playback:

1. Toggle "Sync Playback" in the toolbar
2. All videos play simultaneously
3. Scrubbing one video scrubs all others
4. Compare timing and pacing across versions

Synchronized playback is essential for evaluating video variations with different pacing or timing.

Metadata Overlay

Display key metadata directly on each asset for quick reference.

Default Overlay

The default overlay shows:

• Platform - Generation platform badge
• Status - Current workflow status
• Version Number - Version identifier
• Duration - Length for video/audio
• Selection Indicator - Gold star for winners

Custom Overlay

Customize the overlay to show specific metadata:

1. Click "Customize Overlay" in the toolbar
2. Select fields to display:
   • Model version
   • Prompt text
   • Generation cost
   • Seed value
   • Technical specs
3. Save custom overlay preference

Custom overlays persist for your user account.

Toggle Overlay

Show or hide the overlay using the keyboard shortcut: M (for Metadata)

Comparison Tools

Zoom and Pan

Zoom into images or video frames for detailed inspection:

1. Hover over an asset
2. Scroll to zoom in/out
3. Click and drag to pan
4. Zoom level syncs across all assets in the group

Examine fine details like facial expressions, text legibility, or artifact presence.

Frame-by-Frame Comparison

For video assets, step through frames one at a time:

1. Pause playback on all videos
2. Use Left/Right arrow keys to step
3. All videos advance frame-by-frame together
4. Identify differences at specific moments

A/B Toggle

Quickly toggle between two assets:

1. Select two assets in the comparison group
2. Press T to toggle between them
3. Assets swap positions instantly
4. Useful for subtle difference detection

Selecting Winners from Compare View

Make selection decisions directly in the Compare view:

Selection Actions

1. Review all versions in the comparison group
2. Hover over the chosen version
3. Click "Select as Winner"
4. Gold star appears on the selected version
5. Other versions in the group revert to "Approved" status

Bulk Selection

Select winners for multiple shots at once:

1. Create comparison groups for each shot
2. Review each group in sequence
3. Select winner for each group
4. Click "Apply All Selections"
5. All selections are saved simultaneously

Bulk selection streamlines the decision-making process when reviewing many shots in a single session.

Comparison Filters

Narrow the comparison view to specific asset types or attributes:

Filter Options

• Type - Show only images, only videos, or specific types
• Platform - Compare assets from specific platforms
• Status - Show only approved assets or specific statuses
• Date Range - Assets created within a time range

Filters apply to all comparison groups in the current view.

Comparison Notes

Add notes and feedback during comparison:

Per-Asset Notes

1. Click an asset in the comparison group
2. Click "Add Note"
3. Type your feedback or observation
4. Notes appear below the asset
5. Tag team members for attention

Comparison Summary

Add a summary note for the entire comparison group:

1. Click "Group Notes" in the toolbar
2. Summarize your decision rationale
3. Note strengths and weaknesses of each version
4. Reference creative direction or technical requirements

Comparison notes help document decision-making for future reference and team communication.

Rating Assets

Assign numeric ratings or stars to assets during comparison:

Rating Scale

• 1-5 Stars - Subjective quality rating
• Numeric Score - Custom scoring system (1-10, 1-100)
• Thumbs Up/Down - Binary approval indicator

Ratings display on asset cards and can be used for filtering and sorting.

Rating Criteria

Establish rating criteria before comparing:

• Technical quality (resolution, clarity, artifacts)
• Creative alignment (matches vision and direction)
• Emotional impact (conveys intended feeling)
• Continuity (fits with surrounding shots)

Consistent criteria lead to better decision outcomes.

Comparison Export

Export comparison groups for review or presentation:

Export Options

• PDF Report - Side-by-side images with metadata
• Video Reel - Assembled video of all versions
• Spreadsheet - Tabular comparison of metadata
• Web Link - Shareable URL for remote review

Presentation Mode

Use presentation mode for client reviews or team meetings:

1. Click "Present" in the toolbar
2. Comparison view goes full-screen
3. Hide UI elements for clean display
4. Navigate with keyboard shortcuts
5. Press Esc to exit

Presentation mode is ideal for client approvals or executive reviews where UI clutter should be minimized.

Advanced Comparison Features

Difference Highlighting

For similar images, enable difference highlighting:

1. Select two similar assets
2. Click "Highlight Differences"
3. Areas of difference are visually marked
4. Adjust sensitivity threshold
5. Useful for detecting subtle variations

Metadata Comparison

Compare generation parameters across versions:

1. Select multiple assets
2. Click "Compare Metadata"
3. View side-by-side parameter comparison
4. Identify which parameters led to better results
5. Inform future generation decisions

Prompt Analysis

Analyze prompt differences and their impact:

1. Select versions with different prompts
2. Click "Prompt Analysis"
3. Lazer highlights prompt variations
4. Correlate prompt changes with result differences
5. Learn which prompt elements drive desired outcomes

Keyboard Shortcuts

Navigate Compare view efficiently:

• Arrow Keys - Navigate between assets
• Space - Play/pause video
• T - Toggle between two selected assets
• M - Show/hide metadata overlay
• S - Select current asset as winner
• N - Next comparison group
• P - Previous comparison group
• Esc - Exit full-screen or close preview

Comparison Best Practices

Compare Immediately

Review and compare assets soon after generation while creative intent is fresh.

Compare in Context

When comparing shots, view surrounding shots to ensure continuity and flow.

Limit Comparison Groups

Compare 2-4 versions at a time for clearer decision-making. Too many options can lead to decision paralysis.

Document Decisions

Always add notes explaining why a particular version was selected. This helps future you and your team understand the reasoning.

Iterate Based on Comparison

Use comparison insights to refine prompts and generation parameters for better results in future iterations.

The goal of comparison is not perfection, but informed decision-making. Select the version that best serves the story and move forward.

Next Steps

After selecting winners in Compare view, proceed to the Timeline to assemble your final edit, or return to Asset Management to continue refining individual versions.