chain_builder

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Description

Assembles a sequence of Videobeaux program steps into a single automated workflow, chaining multiple transformations into one output.
Allows creators to design multi-stage processing pipelines without running several commands manually.

Purpose

chain_builder enables complex, multi-step Videobeaux workflows such as:

running tonemap → gamma_fix → lut_apply → watermark in one sequence,
preparing media through multiple normalization steps,
automating creative pipelines for repeatable results,
building advanced transformations without shell scripts,
simplifying batch workflows across large media libraries.

This tool acts as a meta-controller that executes multiple Videobeaux programs in the specified order.

How It Works

Chain Input
The chain argument accepts a structured definition of steps, typically referencing individual Videobeaux modules.
Sequential Execution
Each step in the chain is executed in the order provided—output from one step becomes input for the next.
Intermediate Handling
Temporary outputs may be generated (depending on implementation) before the final render is written.
Final Output
The result of the last program in the sequence is written to -o.

Program Template

videobeaux -P chain_builder \
  -i input.mp4 \
  -o output.mp4 \
  --chain VALUE

Arguments

chain — A structured representation of the ordered programs to run (e.g., a serialized list or JSON-like definition).

Real World Example

videobeaux -P chain_builder \
  -i myvideo.mp4 \
  -o chain_builder_styled.mp4 \
  --chain EXAMPLE

Technical Notes

Each chained step operates exactly as if run individually via Videobeaux.
Temporary intermediate files may be used depending on the complexity of the pipeline.
Errors in any step cause the chain to halt unless fault-tolerance logic is implemented.
Useful for combining CPU/GPU-heavy operations into one reproducible pipeline.

Recommended Usage

Full preprocessing pipelines (denoise → gamma fix → resize → LUT).
Automated delivery formatting for episodic or batch workflows.
Creative chains applying several stylizations in sequence.
Rapid prototyping of multi-step effects before writing scripts.

Quality Tips

Keep chains readable and modular; long chains are easier to maintain when broken into logical groups.
Validate each step independently before adding it to a chain.
Store commonly used chains in version control to maintain consistency.
Ensure your intermediate steps output in a high-quality format to avoid cumulative degradation.

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