The Timebar is a complementary keyframe manager (cf Stacker) and provides playback features as well as access to the Curveboard.
The Timebar is composed of several rows (described from top to bottom):
- Access Curveboard (on the left) and Playback features (in the middle).
- The black rubber represents the Timing Scale. It delimits the Timebar range.
- Stackers with their respective keyframes.
- The Minibar (macro view of the Timebar) with Range Framing tools on the right.
As in the Stacker window, your keyframes are numbered and display their inbetween timings.
You may select keys and move them or create a key by RMB clicking anywhere on the current Stacker line (except on an existing keyframe) and select "Create Key" .
Keyframes and timings are not linked into the Timebar
Keyframe RMB Menu
By RMB clicking on a keyframe you open this menu:
- Remove key(s): Delete selected key(s) without affecting next ones.
- Select all following keys: Add following keys to the current key selection.
- Create fade-in: Create an opacity fade-in handle before the current keyframe. You may then move this fade-in handle.
- Create fade-out: Create an opacity fade-out handle after the current keyframe. You may then move this fade-out handle.
- *Remove fade-in or fade-out (*if already created).
Fades as corrective stackers
Curveboard access
Curveboard: Activate the Curveboard.
Playback features
Go to first keyframe
Go to previous keyframe
Play/Stop Full Animation (Shortcut: Enter): Playback the full animation (not only the keyframes visible in the Timebar range). When you hit this button, play will start from your timecursor position and will automatically loop after the latest key (taking all stackers in account). Timebar range is ignored.
Alternative functions
Play/Stop Infinite (Shortcut: Enter): Instead of looping after the latest key, the play never stops. It is particularly useful for unsynchronised cycling stackers.
Play/Stop Range: Playback according to the Timebar range. When you hit this button, play will start from your timecursor position and will loop from the end of the range to its start.
Go to next keyframe
Go to last keyframe
Minibar
The MiniBar is a fast and efficient way to navigate through Timebar keyframes. The highlighted zone represents the current Timebar range.
By grabbing the edges of the Timebar range (highlighted zone) you can squash or stretch the range.
By dragging right or left the Timebar range (highlighted zone) you navigate through your keyframes.
Frame Full Animation: Frame your Timebar range exactly between the first and last keys of the current animation (including all stackers).
Frame Key Range: Frame your Timebar range exactly between the first and last keys selected in the current stacker.
Timebar Preferences
Displayed stacks: Set the maximum number of displayed stackers into the Timebar.
Time unit: Choose your working time unit.
Scene Frame Rate: Choose your scene framerate.