Chart Editor

The Chart Editor is a comprehensive built-in tool for creating and editing song charts. It features a visual grid-based interface with advanced toolboxes for managing notes, events, metadata, and more.

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Opening the Chart Editor

There are several ways to access the Chart Editor:

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Interface Overview

The Chart Editor interface consists of several key components:

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Main Grid

The central grid displays your chart visually:

• Grid Size: 40 pixels per step (160 pixels per beat)
• Left Side: Opponent/Dad notes (4 lanes)
• Right Side: Player/BF notes (4 lanes)
• Vertical Axis: Time (scrolls vertically)
• Measure Ticks: Visual indicators for beats and measures

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Playhead

The red playhead shows your current position in the song:

• Moves during playback
• Can be clicked and dragged for precise positioning
• Position displayed in steps, beats, and milliseconds

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Audio Waveforms

Visual representation of the song’s audio:

• Instrumental waveform
• Vocal waveforms (player and opponent)
• Helps align notes with audio peaks

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Keyboard Shortcuts

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File Operations

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Edit Operations

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Selection

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Note Manipulation

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Difficulty & Navigation

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Playback Controls

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Placing Notes

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Working with Events

Events trigger special actions during gameplay:

Camera Events

Focus the camera on different characters:

• Focus Camera Left: Focus on opponent
• Focus Camera Right: Focus on player
• Focus Camera Center: Focus on center/girlfriend

Zoom Events

Control camera zoom:

• Zoom Camera: Zoom in effect
• Reset Zoom: Return to default zoom

Playback Events

Control song playback:

• Set Instrumental: Switch instrumental track
• Set Vocals: Switch vocal track
• Trigger Script: Call custom chart script functions

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Toolboxes

The Chart Editor provides several toolboxes for different functions:

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Metadata Toolbox

Configure song information:

• Song ID: Internal identifier
• Song Name: Display name
• Artist: Song artist/composer
• Charter: Who created the chart
• Stage: Which stage to use
• Characters: Player, opponent, girlfriend
• BPM: Starting beats per minute
• Scroll Speed: Chart scroll speed multiplier

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Difficulty Toolbox

Manage chart difficulties:

• Create new difficulties
• Switch between difficulties
• Copy charts between difficulties
• Set difficulty names and colors

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Note Data Toolbox

Edit individual note properties:

• Note kind (normal, alt animation, mine, etc.)
• Custom parameters
• Hit sound override
• Visual note style

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Event Data Toolbox

Configure event properties:

• Event type
• Event parameters
• Event timing
• Preview event effect

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Offsets Toolbox

Adjust audio synchronization:

• Instrumental Offset: Offset for the backing track
• Vocal Offset: Offset for character vocals
• Audio Sync Test: Test sync with gameplay

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Freeplay Toolbox

Configure freeplay menu settings:

• Album art
• Preview start time
• Preview duration
• Difficulty list order

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Workflow Tips

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Context Menu

Right-click on notes, holds, or events to access quick actions:

• Edit properties
• Delete item
• Select similar items
• Flip/mirror
• Extend/shorten holds

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Advanced Features

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Time Signature Changes

Support for non-4/4 time signatures:

• Add time change markers
• Specify numerator and denominator
• Grid automatically adjusts

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BPM Changes

Handle tempo changes mid-song:

• Add BPM markers at any point
• Smooth or instant transitions
• Grid spacing adjusts automatically

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Multiple Variations

Create alternate versions of charts:

• Different character combinations
• Remixes and alternate instrumentals
• Practice mode variations

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Live Input Preview

Test note patterns while charting:

• Number Keys Mode: 1-8 keys for 8 lanes
• WASD Mode: WASD + Arrow keys
• Hear hitsounds without full playtest

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Chart Editor Commands

The editor uses a command pattern for undo/redo support:

• AddNotesCommand: Place new notes
• RemoveNotesCommand: Delete notes
• MoveNotesCommand: Reposition notes
• ExtendNoteLengthCommand: Adjust hold lengths
• FlipNotesCommand: Flip note timing
• MirrorNotesCommand: Mirror note positions
• AddEventsCommand: Place events
• RemoveEventsCommand: Delete events

All commands are fully undoable with Ctrl+Z.

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Performance Tips

• Use the measure tick display for visual rhythm reference
• Hide toolboxes you’re not using to reduce UI clutter
• Test on the target difficulty setting (scroll speed matters)
• Save frequently to avoid losing work

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File Formats

The Chart Editor supports:

• FNF Chart Format: Native .json format
• Legacy Format: Import from older FNF versions
• Import: Support for some community formats

Charts are saved in: data/songs/[song-id]/[song-id]-chart.json

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Related Tools

• Stage Editor - Design stage layouts
• Animation Editor - Edit character animations
• Debug Hotkeys - All debug shortcuts