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Managing Timeline and Animations

The timeline is where the magic happens in AniMathIO - it's where you control when elements appear, disappear, and how they animate over time. This guide will help you master timeline controls and create smooth animations.

Understanding the Timeline​

The timeline is located at the bottom of the interface and displays all the elements in your project along a time axis:

Timeline Overview

Key Timeline Components​

  • Navigation Controls: Buttons to play/pause and jump to different points in time
  • Time Ruler: Shows the duration of your project in seconds
  • Playhead/Indicator: The red vertical line indicating the current position in time
  • Timeline Tracks: Each element in your project has its own track
  • Element Clips: The colored bars representing when each element is visible

Basic Timeline Navigation​

  • Play/Pause: Click the play button or press the spacebar to start/stop playback
  • Jump to Time: Click anywhere on the time ruler to jump to that position
  • Step Forward/Backward: Use the arrow buttons or arrow keys to move frame by frame
  • Jump to Start/End: Use the jump buttons to move to the beginning or end of your project

Controlling Element Timing​

Each element in your project appears as a bar on the timeline. You can control when elements appear and disappear:

  1. Select an element's bar on the timeline
  2. Drag the edges of the bar to change the duration of the element's appearance
  3. Drag the entire bar to change when the element appears

Adjusting Element Timing

Example: Creating a Sequential Appearance​

To make mathematical objects appear one after another:

  1. Add several mathematical components to your project
  2. In the timeline, arrange their bars sequentially:
    • Set the first element to appear at the beginning
    • Set the second element to appear a few seconds later
    • Continue this pattern for all elements

Setting the Project Duration​

To adjust the total length of your animation:

  1. Navigate to the Export section in the left sidebar
  2. Set your desired video length using the video length control
  3. The timeline will adjust to reflect the new total duration

Previewing Your Animation​

Use the timeline controls to preview your animation at any stage:

  1. Play the animation from the beginning to see the full sequence
  2. Scrub through the timeline by dragging the playhead to check specific moments
  3. Adjust element timing as needed based on your preview

Tips for Effective Timeline Management​

  • Use Consistent Timing: For educational videos, maintain consistent timing between steps to help viewers follow along
  • Save Versions: Before making major timeline changes, save a version of your project
  • Test Frequently: Preview your animation often to ensure smooth flow and appropriate timing

Next Steps​

Now that you understand how to control the timing of your elements, let's learn how to add text and LaTeX formulas to explain the mathematical concepts in your animations.