Edit in the mini-Timeline in Motion

The mini-Timeline lies just above canvas toolbar and below the canvas, providing an at-a-glance look at where selected objects fit into your overall project.

The mini-Timeline also has a playhead to indicate which frame you’re viewing as well as In point and Out point markers to identify the play range. The length of the mini-Timeline represents the duration of the entire project.

Mini-Timeline showing In point, Out point, playhead, and selected object

You can drag the playhead through the mini-Timeline to scrub your project, or to jump to a specific point in time. In the mini-Timeline, you can also change the play range of the entire project as well as move, trim, or slip a selected object.

You can also perform many nonlinear editing functions in the mini-Timeline. You can drag clips or images from the Import dialog, or objects from the Library (such as replicators or shapes), to the mini-Timeline. You can also move, trim, and slip objects to change which portion of the object appears at which point in time. For more information on editing functions such as Move, Trim, and Slip, see Edit in the Timeline in Motion.

Add an object to the mini-Timeline

In Motion, do one of the following:
- In the Motion toolbar, click Import, then in the dialog that appears, drag a media file to the mini-Timeline.
- Drag a media file from the macOS Finder to the Motion mini-Timeline.
- In Motion, drag an item from the Library to the mini-Timeline.
As you drag, a tooltip appears to indicate the frame where the item will be placed.
When you reach the desired frame, release the mouse button.
The object is added to the project beginning at that frame.

Add multiple objects to the mini-Timeline

You can add multiple objects to the mini-Timeline at once. You can choose to add the objects sequentially (one after another) or as a composite (all at the same point in time).

Do one of the following:
- In the Motion toolbar, click Import, then in the dialog that appears, Shift-click to select multiple media files and drag them to the mini-Timeline.
- In the macOS Finder, Shift-click to select multiple media files, then drag them to the Motion mini-Timeline.
- In the Motion Library, Shift-click to select multiple items, then drag them to the mini-Timeline.
As you drag, a tooltip appears to indicate the frame where the items will be placed.
Without releasing the mouse button, drag to the desired frame.
A drop menu appears.
Choose an edit type from the drop menu, then release the mouse button.
Depending on the item dragged to the Timeline, up to four drop options are available. For more information on the Timeline drop menu, see Drag to the Timeline track area in Motion.

Move an object in time

In the Layers list, Timeline layers list, or canvas in Motion, select the object you want to move.
The object appears in the mini-Timeline.
In the mini-Timeline, drag the object left or right to reposition it in time.
A tooltip appears, indicating the new In and Out point of the object, as well as the amount of change from the previous position.
When you reach the position you want, release the mouse button.

Shorten or lengthen (trim) an object

In Motion, select the object to display it in the mini-Timeline.
Position the pointer over the beginning or ending edge of the bar in the mini-Timeline.
The pointer changes to a trim pointer.
Drag the edge of the bar to change its duration.
A tooltip appears, indicating the new In or Out point and the amount of change that your edit is causing.

You cannot trim a layer to be longer than the number of frames available in the corresponding media file unless its End Condition is set to Hold, Loop, or Ping Pong in the Timing controls in Motion.

Slip a video clip (or other multiframe object) in the mini-Timeline

In Motion, select the multiframe object you want to modify.
Position the pointer over the body of the clip in the mini-Timeline, then press and hold the Option key.
The pointer changes to a slip pointer.
Continuing to press and hold the Option key, drag left or right in the mini-Timeline to use a later or earlier part of the clip.
A tooltip appears, indicating the new In and Out points.

Note: You cannot slip a clip if it hasn’t been trimmed first. For more information, see Slip video layers in the Timeline in Motion.

Snap the playhead to a project marker in the mini-Timeline

In Motion, press and hold the Shift key while dragging the playhead in the mini-Timeline.
The playhead snaps to the frame that contains a project marker.

Helpful?

Motion User Guide