Spellbook & Channel: What does it do?

[ronojales]

hi!

im quite new to the World Editor spells. i've actually been basing some made-up spells out of the common ones, but when i read the posts in the forums most often people say that basing abilities off Channel is the best way. i just don't understand what the fields in the Channel spell do, particularly the following:
Data - Art Duration
Data - Follow through time
Data - Options
Targeting Image
Physical Spell
Universal Spell
Unique Cast

i can understand almost every other things except for those above.

And also for the Spellbook ability. i thought it was just some ability where you can add other abilities for use. but does it do anything else special?

thanks!
*i can't find a tutorial on Channel spells. if you know of one, please link me*