Time Line

Welcome Time Line

The timeline represents the position of keys for any animation.
It contains:

Keys
Time Slider
Time Display
Navigation Buttons
Expand Button

The Time Line

See also: Animation Tutorial, Animation

If BS Content Studio is in animation mode then the time line change its color to red. With a red timeline all field changes will create an key on the current Time Slider position.

The Time Line in animation mode

Key types

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There are several key types that represents different animation methods.

Red stands for translations
Green stands for rotations
Blue stands for scales
Black stands for all other animations

Select key by clicking the key

Set the time position

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To set the time position move the Time Slider with the left mouse button down to the wished position. The current time position is displayed within the Time Slider.

Time Slider

Select Key

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To select a key click on a key with the left mouse button. The selected key is now displayed with a yellow border. The Time Slider will move to the key position.

Select key by clicking the key

Another way to select a key is to push one of the navigation buttons. The first navigation button selects the previous key. The second one selects the next key.

Select key via the navigation buttons

Create a key

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To create a key BS Content Studio must be in animation mode (red background). To set BS Content Studio to animation mode enlarge a TimeSensor rollout in the property view and click the animate button. The timelines background will change his color to red. BS Content Studio is now in animation mode.

Set BS Content Studio to animation mode

If you don't have a TimeSensor rollout you have to create a new animation first. To do so click the New Property Button in the property view and select Animation in the following dialog. Now you can set BS Content Studio in animation mode by clicking the Animate button in the TimeSensor rollout.

Create a new animation (TimeSensor)

If BS Content Studio is in animation mode move the Time Slider to the position where you wish to create a new key.

Move the Time Slider to the position where you wish to create a new key

Now change a value of your selected object with one of the transform handlers from the main tool bar or by changing one of the fields in the property view. Now you have created a new key.

Create a new key

modify an existing key

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To modify a key set BS Content Studio to animation mode (the background of the timeline must be red) and select the key to modify either by clicking the key or by selecting the key with one of the two navigation buttons on the right side of the timeline. The selected key changes its border color to yellow.

Select a key

Now change a value of your selected object with one of the transform handlers from the main tool bar or by changing one of the fields in the property view. The selected key is modified.

Modify a key

Set the key time

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To change the time value of a key click on the key with the left mouse button and move it to the wished position.

Move key

Another way to set the time value of a key is to right click the key and select Properties in the appearing context menu. Now you can set the time position exactly.

Key context menu

Clone key

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To clone a key right click the key and select Clone Key in the appearing context menu. Now the cloned key is exactly on the same position as the original key. Move the cloned key to the wished time position with the left mouse button down.

Clone key

Delete key

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To remove a key right click the key and select Delete Key in the appearing context menu.

Delete key

Animate multiple Objects

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To animate a second object within an existig animation click the New Property Button in the property view and select Animation in the following dialog. Now you can choose an existing animation (TimeSensor) in the ComboBox in the TimeSensor rollout. After that set BS Content Studio in animation mode by clicking the Animate button.

Animate multiple objects

You will see all keys of the choosen animation in the timeline. Move the Time Slider to the position where you wish to create a new key.

Move the Time Slider to the position where you wish to create a new key

Now change a value of your selected object with one of the transform handlers from the main tool bar or by changing one of the fields in the property view. Now you have created a new key.

Create a new key

Maximize timeline

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To maximize the timeline click the Maximize Button on the right side of the timeline.

Maximize Timeline

The timeline expands and shows the keys of each single animated object in a seperate row. By clicking the Minimize Button the timeline will reduce it´s size to a single line.