Timeline Basics - How Do I?

A: The Sequence controls panel in the Timeline pull down menu allows you to set the total number of frames in the sequence. This dialog is also used to specify the output format and file name.

Q: How do I alter the animation frame rate of an AVI or FLI/FLC generated sequence?

A: You can alter the frame rate for any animation format by selecting the Animation Frame Rate option in the Timeline menu. This will open a dialog for setting the number of frames per second, jiffies, or Milliseconds per Frame.

Q: How do I specify the output file format?

A: The output file format can be set through the Sequence Controls panel in the Timeline pull down menu. This panel contains an Output Format drop down box. This list contains all of the available file formats for output. This includes FLI/FLC and AVI animations. This panel also contains the Output image name and path specification, and the Save Result option.

Q: How do I place an area selection, operation, or image file into the Timeline?

A: Area Selection and Operation objects or key frames are placed in the Timeline by the Drag and Drop method. Drag and Drop allows you to place any operation or area selection icon into any Timeline frame. Image files are place into the Timeline by the Add to Timeline option, or by selecting the Specify Action Image or Specify Source Image in an Operation Key Frame dialog. The Add to Timeline dialog can be accessed by double clicking on any empty or continuance frame in the Timeline. This dialog is described in further detail in the next section.

You can also add a new area selection key frame by pressing Control + Left Click this will place the currently selected area mode into that frame of the Timeline. It will also automatically load the image view for that frame, and wait for you to make the area selection that will be associated with that key frame.

Q: How Do I increase or decrease the duration of a Timeline object?

A: Any Timeline Object (operation, area selection, or image file) can have its duration increased or decreased by clicking on and moving the object's icon or arrow head. This allows you to set the duration and frame location for any object. After you have clicked on the icon or arrow head, the cursor should change to the movement cursor. After you have moved the movement cursor to the correct frame, release the left mouse button. This will place the icon in that frame, and resize the duration or continuance arrow accordingly. Video Sequences can be treated in the same manner. You can also swap Timeline levels by clicking on the first level, and the dragging it to the level it is to be swapped with. Timeline objects can be copied by clicking on them with the right mouse button, and then moving the object to the desired location. This will copy all of the object's settings information to the specified location. This does not include trend information.

WinImages F/x Manual Version 7, Revision 5, Level B