Timeline Reference
Animation system for controlling track properties over time or distance.
Timeline interface showing properties, keyframes, and curve editing
Interface Elements
When a node with controllable properties is selected, the Timeline displays:
- Properties - List of controllable properties
- Add Property Button - Add an optional override property
- Toggle Curve View Button - Switch between dope sheet and curve editor
- Read-Only Curves Button - Toggle display of read-only property curves
- Ruler - Time (s) or distance (m), depending on the node’s duration type (
Time or Distance)
- Playhead - Current position indicator, also shown as a transparent cart in the Game View
- Dope Sheet/Curve View - Keyframe editing area
Timeline Controls
Navigation
| Input |
Action |
Notes |
Ruler |
Seek |
Drag on ruler to set playhead time |
Middle Mouse Drag |
Pan |
Pan timeline view |
Mouse Wheel |
Zoom |
Zoom in/out on timeline |
Property Controls
| Input |
Action |
Notes |
Left Click |
Select |
Select property track |
Shift + Click |
Multi-Select |
Add property to selection |
Shift + 1-9 |
Toggle Selection |
Property selection |
Set Keyframe Button |
Set Keyframe |
Add or update keyframe at playhead time |
Jump to Next/Previous Keyframe |
Jump to Keyframe |
Jump playhead to next/previous keyframe |
View Controls
| Input |
Action |
Notes |
Toggle Curve View Button |
Switch View Mode |
Toggle between dope sheet and curve editor |
Read-Only Curves Button |
Toggle Read-Only |
Show/hide read-only property curves (e.g., forces, speeds) |
Eye Icon (Curve View) |
Toggle Visibility |
Show/hide individual property curves in curve view |
Keyframe Editing
Basic Operations
| Input |
Action |
Notes |
I |
Insert |
Add keyframe at playhead |
Left Click |
Select |
Select keyframe |
Double Click |
Edit |
Toggle keyframe edit panel |
V |
Set Value |
Quick value editor for selected keyframe |
Shift + Click |
Multi-Select |
Add to selection |
Drag |
Move |
Reposition keyframe |
Delete |
Remove |
Delete selected keyframes |
Ctrl+C/V |
Copy/Paste |
Duplicate keyframes |
Box Select |
Multi-Select |
Drag to select multiple |
Right Click |
Context Menu |
Edit, Optimize, etc. |
Curve View Controls
| Input |
Action |
Notes |
Drag Bezier Handle |
Adjust Curve |
Fine-tune curve shape and easing |
Shift + Drag |
Constrain Motion |
Lock to horizontal or vertical movement |
Double Click |
Detailed Edit |
Toggle keyframe edit panel |
Keyframe Edit Dialog
Double-clicking a keyframe opens a detailed editor with advanced options:
Properties
- Time/Distance: Precise keyframe position
- Value: Exact property value with units
- Interpolation: Choose between Constant, Linear, and Bezier
Easing Presets (Bezier only)
- Sine: Gentle acceleration/deceleration
- Quadratic: Moderate ease-in/out
- Cubic: Standard animation easing
- Quartic: Strong ease-in/out
- Quintic: Very strong ease-in/out
- Exponential: Sharp acceleration curves
Manual Bezier Controls
- In/Out Weights: Control handle length (0.0 to 1.0)
- In/Out Tangents: Control handle angle (-∞ to +∞)
- Auto-detection: Shows current easing type if it matches a preset
Animation Properties
Interpolation Types
| Type |
Description |
Visual |
Keyframe Shape |
| Constant |
Step changes |
Flat line segments |
Square |
| Linear |
Straight transitions |
Straight line slopes |
Diamond |
| Bezier |
Smooth curves |
Curved transitions with interactive handles |
Circle |
| Auto Bezier |
(Default) Smooth curves |
Curved transitions with mirrored Bézier handles |
Circle |
View Modes
Dope Sheet View
- Row-based layout: Each property occupies a horizontal row
- Time-focused editing: Primarily for timing adjustments
- Compact display: Shows many properties at once
- Keyframe shapes: Different shapes indicate interpolation type
Curve View
- Graph-based layout: Properties displayed as curves on a value/time graph
- Precise curve editing: Direct manipulation of bezier handles
- Visual curve shapes: See the actual animation curves
- Individual visibility: Toggle curves on/off with eye icons
- Read-only curves: View computed properties (forces, speeds) using the read-only curves button
- Value-focused editing: Fine-tune animation curves and easing
Property Types
Node Properties (Node-dependent)
| Property |
Description |
Node Types |
Units |
| Roll Speed |
Banking rate |
Force, Geometric, Curved, Bridge |
rad/sec |
| Normal Force |
Vertical G-force |
Force |
G |
| Lateral Force |
Horizontal G-force |
Force |
G |
| Pitch Speed |
Up/down rotation rate |
Geometric |
rad/sec |
| Yaw Speed |
Left/right turn rate |
Geometric |
rad/sec |
Override Properties (All nodes)
These optional properties have no effect unless added. For example, adding the Fixed Velocity property overrides the cart’s velocity, even with no keyframes. Otherwise, velocity is physically simulated.
| Property |
Description |
Units |
| Fixed Velocity |
Override speed |
m/s |
| Heart |
Heartline offset |
m |
| Friction |
Surface friction |
- |
| Resistance |
Air resistance |
μm⁻¹ |
Note: Property values automatically carry forward between connected sections. For example, pitch curvature created in a Force Section will carry over to the default pitch speed of a following Geometric Section. To reset a property to its inherited value, right-click the keyframe and select Reset.
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