Chapter 8: timeline, Timeline overview, 251 timeline overview – Apple Motion 5.1.1 User Manual
Page 251: Timeline
251
Timeline overview
The Timeline is where you control all timing aspects of a project. In the Timeline, you can
organize objects to begin and end on the frames you choose, align multiple effects so they occur
simultaneously, control object duration, and even perform common trim operations to edit the
objects as you would in a nonlinear video editing application.
Additional controls let you manipulate masks, filters, behaviors, keyframes, and audio elements.
The Timeline ruler provides an exact reference for managing timing and synchronizing effects.
You can lock tracks to prevent changes, temporarily hide an object from view, and manage links
between audio and video.
The Timeline is located under the toolbar in the area of the Motion workspace known as the
Timing pane. In addition to the Timeline, the Timing pane contains two related partitions that can
be shown or hidden: the Audio Timeline and the Keyframe Editor (for more information, see
on page 1016 and
on page 456). An abbreviated
mini-Timeline, located at the bottom of the Canvas, provides controls to perform quick edits such
as moving, trimming, and slipping without opening the Timing pane. For more information, see
on page 290.
The Timeline itself consists of two areas: the Timeline layers list on the left and a track area on the
right. You can add images and clips to your project via the Timeline, just as you add files to the
Layers list or the Canvas. You can drag objects into the Timeline layers list, or drag them into the
Timeline track area. The Timeline ruler, located above the track area, provides a precise reference
for managing timing and synchronizing effects. Using controls in the Timeline layers list, you can
lock tracks to prevent changes, temporarily hide an object from view, and manage links between
audio and video.
Track area
Timeline layers list
Timeline ruler
You can hide the Timeline to enlarge other areas of the Motion workspace by deselecting the
Show/Hide Timeline button in the lower-right corner of the project window. To collapse the
entire Timing pane (Timeline, Audio Timeline, and Keyframe Editor), make sure that all three
buttons in the lower-right corner of the Motion project window are dimmed.
Timeline
67% resize factor
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