Dialog Editor
Manage cast voice assignments and shot dialog audio from a centralized table-based interface.
Overview
The Dialog Editor is where you configure character voices and generate audio for your shots. It provides two main tables: one for assigning voices to cast members, and another for managing dialog audio across all shots in your project.
Key Concepts
- Cast Voice Configuration: Assign text-to-speech voices to your cast members from available ElevenLabs voices
- Shot Dialog Management: View, filter, and generate audio for all shots in your storyboard
- Audio Generation: Convert shot dialog text into speech using AI-powered text-to-speech
When to Use the Dialog Editor
The Dialog Editor is where you:
- Assign voices to characters: Configure which voice each cast member uses for generated audio
- Review dialog across scenes: Scan through all shot dialog in a structured table format
- Generate audio: Create text-to-speech audio for individual shots
- Upload custom audio: Replace generated audio with your own recordings
Accessing the Dialog Editor
From the Project Navigation
- Navigate to your project
- Click the Dialog tab in the project navigation
- The Dialog Editor opens
Prerequisites
Before using the Dialog Editor, you need:
- A project with a generated storyboard
- Cast members created in the Asset Editor (for voice configuration)
- Shots with dialog text (for audio generation)
If no storyboard exists, you'll see a message guiding you to generate one first.
Understanding the Interface
The Dialog Editor has three main sections:
Header Section
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Dialog Manager | Page title with description of functionality |
Cast Voice Configuration Table
The first table displays all cast members in your project:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | The cast member's name |
| Description | Character description or role |
| Voice | Dropdown to select the ElevenLabs voice for this character |
Shot Dialog Management Section
The second section contains filters and the shots table:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Scene Filter | Filter shots by specific scene |
| Speaker Filter | Filter shots by specific speaker/cast member |
| Audio Status Filter | Filter by "All", "Has Audio", or "No Audio" |
| Shots Table | Lists all shots matching current filters |
Cast Voice Configuration
Viewing Cast Members
When you open the Dialog Editor, you'll see a table of all cast members from your project. Each row displays:
- The cast member's name
- Their character description
- A dropdown displaying their currently assigned voice
Assigning Voices
To assign or change a cast member's voice:
- Find the cast member in the table
- Click the Voice dropdown for that row
- Select a voice from the available ElevenLabs voices
- The change saves automatically
The voice dropdown is populated with all available voices from ElevenLabs. Voice names typically include characteristics (e.g., "Milo - Calm Soothing Meditative").
Voice Assignment Tips
- Preview before assigning: Consider the character's personality when selecting a voice
- Consistency matters: Once assigned, the voice is used for all audio generation for that character
- Changes are immediate: Updating a voice assignment takes effect for future audio generation
Empty State
If your project has a storyboard but no cast members:
- You'll see a message explaining that cast members need to be created
- A button links to the Asset Editor where you can create cast members
Shot Dialog Management
Understanding the Shots Table
The shots table displays all shots from your storyboard:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Expand | Click to expand row for additional details |
| Scene | The scene number/index |
| Shot | The shot number within the scene |
| Speaker | Which cast member speaks in this shot (may be empty) |
| Dialog | The dialog text for this shot (may be empty) |
| Actions | Buttons for audio operations |
Filtering Shots
Use the filter dropdowns above the table to narrow down which shots are displayed:
Scene Filter
- Select a specific scene to view only shots from that scene
- Select "All" to display shots from all scenes
Speaker Filter
- Select a specific cast member to see only their dialog
- Useful for reviewing all lines for one character
Audio Status Filter
- All: Display all shots regardless of audio status
- Has Audio: Display only shots with generated or uploaded audio
- No Audio: Project shots that still need audio generation
Combining Filters
Filters work together. For example:
- Scene 2 + Character "Pilot" + No Audio = All Pilot's shots in Scene 2 that need audio
Clearing Filters
To reset filters:
- Change each dropdown back to "All" or the default option
- The table updates immediately to display all shots
Audio Actions
Each shot row has action buttons for managing audio:
Generate Audio
Click the Generate Audio button (microphone icon) to create text-to-speech audio:
- The system uses the shot's dialog text and the speaker's assigned voice
- A loading indicator displays while generation is in progress
- When complete, the Play button becomes enabled
Requirements for generation:
- The shot must have dialog text
- The speaker must have an assigned voice
Generation Status:
- Loading spinner indicates generation in progress
- Generation continues in the background if you navigate away
- Credits are consumed for each generation
Play Audio
Click the Play Audio button (play icon) to preview the shot's audio:
- Only enabled when valid audio exists
- Disabled with "No audio available" tooltip when no audio is present
Edit Shot
Click the Edit Shot button (pencil icon) to modify shot details:
- An edit dialog opens with current speaker and dialog values
- Make your changes
- Click Save to update the shot
- The table row refreshes with updated data
Upload Audio
Click the Upload Audio button (upload icon) to use custom audio:
- A file picker opens
- Select your audio file
- The file uploads and replaces any existing audio for that shot
Use this when you want to use recorded audio instead of AI-generated speech.
Audio Generation Details
How Credits Work
- Generate Audio: Consumes credits (AI operation)
- Play Audio: Free (playback only)
- Upload Audio: Free (file upload)
Generation in Progress
When audio is generating:
- The Generate button displays a loading spinner
- The button is disabled to prevent duplicate requests
- You can continue working in other parts of the application
- The row updates automatically when generation completes
Failed Generation
If audio generation fails:
- The Generate button returns to normal state
- Credits are refunded automatically
- You can retry the generation
Skipped Generation
Audio generation may be skipped if:
- The shot has no dialog text
- The speaker has no assigned voice
- An info notification explains why generation was skipped
Working with Large Projects
Table Performance
The Dialog Editor is optimized for projects with many shots:
- Sticky headers: Column headers stay visible while scrolling
- Fixed height: The table has a maximum height with internal scrolling
- Client-side filtering: Filters apply instantly without server requests
Best Practices for Large Projects
- Use filters: Narrow down to the shots you need
- Work by scene: Filter to one scene at a time
- Check "No Audio" first: Find shots that still need work
- Batch your work: Complete all dialog edits before generating audio
Common Questions
Why can't I generate audio for a shot?
Check that:
- The shot has dialog text
- The speaker has an assigned voice in the Cast Voice Configuration table
- You have sufficient credits
Why is the Play button disabled?
The Play button is disabled when:
- No audio has been generated or uploaded for that shot
- The audio file is invalid or empty
Can I change a voice after generating audio?
Yes, but:
- Existing audio is not automatically regenerated
- You need to regenerate audio for shots to use the new voice
- New generations will use the updated voice assignment
What happens if I navigate away during generation?
- Audio generation continues in the background
- When you return to the Dialog Editor, the row will display the updated status
- You'll receive the generated audio when the process completes
How do I know which shots still need audio?
Use the Audio Status filter:
- Set the filter to "No Audio"
- The table displays only shots without generated audio
- Work through the list to generate audio for each shot
Tips and Best Practices
Voice Selection Tips
- Match personality: Choose voices that fit your characters
- Consider variety: Use different voices for different characters
- Test first: Generate a few samples before committing to a voice
Workflow Tips
- Set up voices first: Configure all cast member voices before generating audio
- Use filters: Work through shots systematically using scene filters
- Review dialog: Check dialog text for accuracy before generating audio
- Save custom audio: Upload important custom recordings as backups
Efficiency Tips
- Filter by speaker: Review all lines for one character at a time
- Check "No Audio" status: Focus on shots that still need work
- Edit in batches: Make dialog corrections before audio generation
Next Steps
- Video Editor - Render videos that include your generated audio
- Timeline Export - Export your timeline, including dialog audio, to an editing application
- Subscriptions & Credits - Understand credit usage for audio generation