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Task Editor Flow View

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Flow View

The Flow view provides a visual diagram of your experiment’s structure, showing how components connect and flow from one to another. Create loops, randomize trials, and set up conditional branching - all visualized in an intuitive flowchart.

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Overview

The Flow view helps you:
  • See the big picture - Visual representation of entire experiment
  • Connect components - Draw connections between screens
  • Create frames - Group components for loops and randomization
  • Understand flow logic - See how participants move through your experiment
  • Debug structure - Identify missing connections or flow issues
When to use the Flow view:
  • Connecting components in sequence
  • Creating loops for repeated trials
  • Setting up randomization
  • Visualizing experiment structure
  • Planning conditional branching

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Understanding Flow Diagrams

The flow diagram shows your experiment as a flowchart with:

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Nodes

Each node represents one component in your experiment:
  • Component name - Displayed on the node
  • Component type - Icon indicating type (stimulus, response, instruction, etc.)
  • Screen number - Sequential order number
  • Status indicators - Warnings if component has issues

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Connections

Arrows between nodes show how the experiment flows:
  • Sequential arrows - Solid line = automatic progression
  • Conditional arrows - Dashed line = conditional branching
  • Loop arrows - Curved line = return to earlier component

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Frames

Boxes around groups of nodes represent frames:
  • Loop frames - Indicated with “Loop ×N” label
  • Randomization frames - Indicated with shuffle icon
  • Per-stimulus frames - Indicated with variable icon
  • Conditional frames - Indicated with branch icon

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Connecting Components

Create the flow of your experiment by connecting components together.

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Sequential Connections

The most common connection type: one component after another. How to create:
  1. Click the output port (right side) of first component
  2. Drag to the input port (left side) of next component
  3. Release to create connection
  4. Arrow appears showing flow direction
Example sequence: 
Instructions → Fixation → Stimulus → Response → Feedback → End

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Auto-Connect

When you add components in Timeline view, they automatically connect in sequence. The Flow view visualizes these connections.

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Removing Connections

To remove a connection:
  1. Click the connection arrow
  2. Press Delete or Backspace
  3. Or right-click and select “Delete Connection”

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Rearranging Flow

The flow diagram auto-layouts for clarity, but you can:
  • Zoom in/out - Mouse wheel or zoom controls
  • Pan - Click and drag empty space
  • Fit to view - Button to see entire flow at once
  • Auto-layout - Reorganize nodes automatically

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Frames

Frames are powerful tools for controlling how components repeat, randomize, or branch. Think of frames as containers that apply special logic to the components inside them.

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Loop Frames

Repeat a sequence of components multiple times. What they’re for:
  • Practice trials (repeat 5 times)
  • Experimental blocks (repeat 20 times)
  • Multi-trial tasks (repeat 160 times)
  • Any repeated sequence
How to create:
  1. Select components to loop (click first, then Shift+click last)
  2. Right-click → “Create Loop Frame”
  3. Set repeat count (e.g., 20)
  4. Components now enclosed in loop frame box
Properties:
  • Repeat count - How many times to loop (1-1000)
  • Loop name - Descriptive label (e.g., “Practice Block”)
  • Iteration tracking - Track which iteration participant is on
Example: 
[Start Loop: 20 times]
  → Fixation (500ms)
  → Stimulus (2000ms)
  → Response (until keypress)
  → Feedback (1000ms)
[End Loop]
Tip: For different stimuli each iteration, use Variables view to define per-trial parameters instead of creating 20 separate components.

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Randomization Frames

Shuffle the order of components randomly. What they’re for:
  • Randomized trial order
  • Counterbalancing conditions
  • Unpredictable sequences
  • Preventing order effects
How to create:
  1. Select components to randomize
  2. Right-click → “Create Randomization Frame”
  3. Components will appear in random order each time
Properties:
  • Randomization seed - For reproducible randomization (optional)
  • Constraints - Prevent certain orders (e.g., no more than 3 consecutive same type)
Example: 
[Randomize these 3 components]
  → Condition A
  → Condition B
  → Condition C
[End Randomization]

Each participant sees different order: C→A→B or B→C→A, etc.
Combining with loops: 
[Loop: 20 times]
  [Randomize: 3 conditions]
    → Condition A
    → Condition B
    → Condition C
  [End Randomize]
[End Loop]

Result: 60 total trials (20 of each condition), randomized order

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Per-Stimulus Frames

Link components to a set of stimuli for automatic trial generation. What they’re for:
  • Image-based tasks (show each image from a set)
  • Word lists (present each word once)
  • Stimulus-driven experiments
  • Simple variable substitution
How to create:
  1. Upload stimuli to media library
  2. Select component(s) to vary
  3. Right-click → “Create Per-Stimulus Frame”
  4. Select stimulus set from media library
  5. Map stimuli to component elements
Properties:
  • Stimulus source - Which media library folder
  • Stimulus count - How many stimuli (auto-detected)
  • Randomize - Shuffle stimulus order
  • Sampling - Present subset of stimuli
Example: 
[Per-Stimulus: 24 face images]
  → Fixation
  → Face Stimulus [pulls from stimulus set]
  → Response
[End Per-Stimulus]

Result: 24 trials, one for each face image
Note: For more complex trial variations (multiple parameters per trial), use the Variables view instead of Per-Stimulus frames.

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Conditional Frames

Branch to different components based on participant responses. What they’re for:
  • Adaptive testing (adjust difficulty based on performance)
  • Until-correct loops (repeat until participant answers correctly)
  • Branching surveys (different questions based on previous answers)
  • Personalized experiment paths
How to create:
  1. Select components for conditional logic
  2. Right-click → “Create Conditional Frame”
  3. Choose condition type:
    • Until correct - Repeat until correct response
    • Max attempts - Limit number of tries
    • Custom condition - Based on any variable
Condition types:

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Until-Correct Loop

Repeat component until participant responds correctly. Properties:
  • Max attempts - Give up after N tries (prevents infinite loops)
  • Feedback - Show why incorrect
  • Fallback - What to do after max attempts reached
Example: 
[Until Correct, max 3 attempts]
  → Question Component
  → Feedback (if incorrect)
[End Condition]
→ Next Component (after correct or max attempts)

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Max Attempts Loop

Repeat up to N times regardless of correctness. Use case: Limited practice trials Example: 
[Max 5 attempts]
  → Practice Trial
[End Condition]
→ Begin Main Experiment

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Custom Condition

Branch based on any variable value. Example: 
If accuracy > 80%:
  → Hard Difficulty Block
Else:
  → Easy Difficulty Block
Properties:
  • Condition expression - Variable comparisons
  • True path - Components if condition met
  • False path - Components if condition not met

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Frame Operations

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Creating Frames

  1. Select components:
    • Click first component
    • Hold Shift and click last component (selects range)
    • Or drag box around components
  2. Create frame:
    • Right-click selection
    • Choose frame type from menu
  3. Configure frame:
    • Set properties in right panel
    • Name frame descriptively

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Adding Components to Frames

Add after creation:
  1. Drag component into frame boundary
  2. Component becomes part of frame
  3. Frame resizes to fit
Add during creation:
  1. Create frame first (empty)
  2. Add components inside frame boundary
  3. Components auto-add to frame

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Removing Components from Frames

Option 1: Remove one component
  • Drag component outside frame boundary
  • Component disconnects from frame
Option 2: Ungroup frame
  • Right-click frame → “Ungroup”
  • Frame dissolves, components remain with connections

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Deleting Frames

To delete frame but keep components:
  • Right-click frame → “Delete Frame”
  • Components remain, frame logic removed
To delete frame AND components inside:
  • Select frame
  • Press Delete
  • Confirm deletion

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Nested Frames

Frames can contain other frames for complex structures. Example: Nested Loops + Randomization 
[Loop: 5 blocks]
  → Block Instructions

  [Loop: 10 trials per block]
    [Randomize: 3 conditions]
      → Condition A
      → Condition B
      → Condition C
    [End Randomize]
  [End Loop]

  → Block Break
[End Loop]

Result: 5 blocks × 10 trials × 3 conditions (randomized within each block)
Nested frame limit: Up to 3 levels deep (prevents excessive complexity)

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Viewing and Navigation

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Zoom Controls

  • Zoom in - Mouse wheel up or + button
  • Zoom out - Mouse wheel down or - button
  • Fit to view - Zoom to show all components
  • Zoom to selection - Zoom to selected components

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Pan and Navigate

  • Pan - Click and drag on empty space
  • Minimap - Small overview in corner shows position in large flows
  • Jump to component - Search and auto-pan to specific component

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Auto-Layout

Click “Auto-Layout” to reorganize flow diagram:
  • Horizontal layout - Left to right flow (default)
  • Vertical layout - Top to bottom flow
  • Hierarchical - Shows nested frames clearly
  • Compact - Minimize space between nodes
Auto-layout runs automatically when you add/remove components, but you can re-run manually if needed.

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Selecting Components

From the flow diagram:
  1. Click component node
  2. Right panel shows component properties
  3. Edit properties without leaving Flow view
Multi-select:
  • Hold Shift and click multiple nodes
  • Or drag box around multiple nodes
  • Apply frame or alignment to all

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Inter-Trial Fixation

Add fixation crosses or blank screens between trials automatically. What it’s for:
  • Eye fixation point before stimulus
  • Mental reset between trials
  • Timing marker
  • Standard cognitive neuroscience practice
How to add:
  1. Select frame (e.g., loop frame)
  2. Enable “Inter-trial fixation” in frame properties
  3. Configure fixation settings
Properties:
  • Enabled - Turn on/off
  • Duration - How long fixation shows (typically 500-1000ms)
  • Symbol - Choose: + (cross), • (dot), × (X)
  • Color - Usually black or white depending on background
  • Size - Font size of symbol
Example: 
[Loop: 20 trials, inter-trial fixation: 500ms, +]
  → Stimulus
  → Response
[End Loop]

Actual flow:
Trial 1: Fixation (500ms) → Stimulus → Response
Trial 2: Fixation (500ms) → Stimulus → Response
... (repeat)
Tip: Inter-trial fixation is added before each iteration automatically. You don’t need to create separate fixation components.

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Common Flow Patterns

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Linear Sequence

Simplest flow: components in order, no repeats. Use case: Simple survey, single-trial experiment Structure: 
Intro → Consent → Instructions → Task → Debrief
How to build:
  • Add components in Timeline view
  • Auto-connects in sequence
  • Verify in Flow view

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Randomized Trials

Shuffle trial order to prevent order effects. Use case: Multi-condition experiments, counterbalancing Structure: 
Instructions → [Randomize: Condition A, B, C] → Debrief
How to build:
  1. Add all trial components
  2. Select trials to randomize
  3. Create randomization frame

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Practice Trials Followed by Test Trials

Standard cognitive task structure. Structure: 
Instructions → Practice Trials (5 reps, feedback) → Begin Main Task → Test Trials (100 reps, no feedback)
How to build:
  1. Create practice sequence with feedback
  2. Add loop frame (5 reps)
  3. Add transition instruction
  4. Create test sequence without feedback
  5. Add loop frame (100 reps)

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Conditional Branching Based on Performance

Adapt difficulty based on accuracy. Structure: 
Calibration Block →
  If accuracy > 75%: Hard Block
  Else: Easy Block
How to build:
  1. Create calibration trials
  2. Calculate accuracy
  3. Add conditional frame
  4. Define two paths (hard/easy)
  5. Connect to appropriate block

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Multi-Block Experiment with Breaks

Long experiments need periodic breaks. Structure: 
[Loop: 5 blocks]
  → Block Instructions
  → [Loop: 40 trials] → Trial Sequence [End Loop]
  → Break Screen (30 sec rest)
[End Loop]
How to build:
  1. Create single trial sequence
  2. Add loop frame for trials per block (40)
  3. Add break component after loop
  4. Add block loop frame around entire structure (5 blocks)

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Blocked vs. Randomized Design

Blocked design: All trials of one condition, then all of another 
[Block 1: Condition A, 50 trials] → [Block 2: Condition B, 50 trials]
Randomized design: Conditions intermixed 
[Randomize and Loop: 100 trials of mixed A/B conditions]
How to choose:
  • Blocked: When conditions require different instructions or setups
  • Randomized: To prevent order effects and strategies

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Tips and Best Practices

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When to Use Frames vs. Timeline Variables

Use Loop Frames when:
  • Simple repetition of same sequence
  • You don’t need per-trial parameter variation
  • Less than ~10 trials
Use Timeline Variables when:
  • Different stimuli/parameters each trial
  • 20+ trials with systematic variation
  • Need to import trial lists from CSV
  • Complex trial structures
Example: For a 160-trial Stroop task, use Timeline Variables (not a 160-iteration loop frame).

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Organizing Complex Experiments

For experiments with many components:
  1. Name frames clearly - “Practice Block”, “Main Task”, “Condition A Trials”
  2. Use Timeline folders - Group components visually in Timeline view
  3. Collapse frames - Hide frame contents in Flow view for overview
  4. Document flow - Add text notes explaining branching logic
  5. Modular design - Build and test each section separately

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Testing Your Flow Logic

Before sharing experiment:
  1. Trace paths - Mentally walk through each possible participant path
  2. Check for dead ends - Ensure all paths lead to experiment end
  3. Verify frame properties - Loop counts, randomization settings correct
  4. Test conditionals - Try all branches (high/low accuracy, different responses)
  5. Preview mode - Run through experiment as participant
Common flow errors to check:
  • Missing connections (component doesn’t advance)
  • Infinite loops (no exit condition)
  • Unreachable components (no path leads to them)
  • Wrong loop counts (10× instead of 100×)

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Performance Considerations

For very large experiments (200+ components):
  • Use variables instead of components - 160 variable rows vs. 160 components
  • Minimize frame nesting - Keep to 2-3 levels max
  • Simplify flow - Reduce unnecessary branches
  • Test performance - Preview with full trial count

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Frame Naming Conventions

Use clear, descriptive names: Good names:
  • “Practice Trials (5 reps)”
  • “Main Task Block 1”
  • “Randomized Conditions A/B/C”
  • “Until Correct (max 3 attempts)”
Poor names:
  • “Loop 1”
  • “Frame”
  • “Randomize”
  • “Test”

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Flow View Limitations

What Flow view CAN’T do:
  • Edit component content (use Screens view)
  • Configure timing (use Timeline view)
  • Define trial variables (use Variables view)
  • Run experiment (use Preview)
Flow view is for structure only - it visualizes and controls how components connect, but not what’s inside each component.

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Next Steps

Now that you understand the Flow view, explore other views:

Screens View

Design component content and layout

Timeline View

Control timing and trial organization

Variables View

Define trial-by-trial parameter variation

Preview

Test your experiment flow
The Flow view gives you complete control over your experiment’s structure. Create sophisticated experimental designs with loops, randomization, and branching - all visualized in an intuitive flowchart.