This article explains Control terms and wording.

API and Data Communication

PIXERA API
A collective term for all API interfaces available in PIXERA, regardless of the access method.

Native API
The internal API interface within PIXERA itself, independent of PIXERA Control.

Direct API
A high-performance interface designed for extremely fast data exchange, such as tracking data or perspective movement.

API Command
A request sent to the API interface to retrieve or transmit data.

API Call
Another term for an API Command.

API Browser
An interface used to search, browse, and assign API commands.

Polling
A method of retrieving data by actively requesting it at regular intervals.

Pushing
A method of receiving data automatically when it is sent by another system, without actively requesting it.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
A lightweight, text-based data format commonly used for structured data exchange between applications.

User Interfaces

UI (User Interface)
A general term for any interface through which users interact with a system.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)
A graphical interface used to interact with software. Example: the PIXERA user interface.

WebUI (Web User Interface)
A browser-based user interface used to display controls and information, typically in the form of a website.

WebUI Element
A component within a WebUI, such as a button, slider, ….

WebUI Pages
Different pages or views within a WebUI.

Node and Module System

Module Workspace
A 2D workspace where modules are displayed and connected.

Node Workspace
A 2D workspace where modules are displayed and connected.

Nodes
Modules represented as elements within the workspace.

Module Instance
An expanded node representing a specific instance of a PIXERA module, such as a Timeline.

Node Connection
A visual connection between actions in the node workspace, typically represented by blue lines.

Action
A function provided by a module. Actions behave similarly to Lua functions but can be connected visually within the node system.

Action with Attribute
A function that can store values (attributes) and can be used within the Module Workspace.

Reference
When actions are connected via Node Connections, these links are registered as references. In code, they are referred to as references.

4. Module Types and Utilities

Protocol (in the context of modules)
A raw communication connection that does not yet contain device-specific data structures.

Driver (in the context of modules)
A device-specific implementation built on top of a protocol, tailored to communicate with a particular device.

Tools (in the context of modules)
Utility modules used within the Module Workspace to generate, process, send, or log values, manage timing sequences, and handle internal logic.

Dispatch Table Builder
A helper menu used to route data that meets specific conditions to different actions.

Code and Development Concepts

Block Builder
A visual programming mode based on code blocks.

Instance in Code
Using getInst() API commands, instance names can be retrieved. These names may include hierarchical paths to elements, for example:
Timeline1.Layer1

CallRefs
Short for Call References.
The function pixc.callRefs() forwards data to all connected node references.

Coffee
A magical hot bean juice that turns sleepy zombies into functioning humans.

Library (in Code)
A collection of prebuilt code functions and utilities that provide reusable functionality.

Report (in Code)
A function used to display information within an Action with Attribute in the Node Workspace.

Init (Initialization)
A setup process typically executed before runtime so that required data and structures are prepared for use during execution.

Aux Directory
A dedicated file path used by modules to store and read data separately from other system files.

Handles
Unique identifier keys assigned to elements such as timelines.

Heartbeat
A periodic signal (engine or PIXERA tick) sent to verify that systems and connections remain active and reachable.

NIC (Network Interface Card)
A hardware component that enables network connectivity, also called a network adapter or network interface controller.

PIXERA 26.1 | 1. March 2026 | J.B.