Animation Playback and Timeline Basics
The Timeline is the main place for previewing animation in Foxel.
It lets you move through frames, control playback, scrub through motion, and define which part of the animation should be played.
Why This Matters
The Timeline is used across Foxel’s animation workflows.
Before editing channels or keyframes, it helps to understand how playback, frame navigation, and playback ranges work.
The Timeline is useful for:
- Moving to a specific frame
- Previewing animation
- Scrubbing through motion
- Looping a section
- Stepping between frames
- Jumping between keyframes
Where The Timeline Is
The Timeline is located below the Scene View.
It is used to preview animations, move through frames, and define the playback range.
Main Parts Of The Timeline
From left to right, the Timeline contains three main areas:
- Time Ruler
- Playback Options
- Playback Controls
Time Ruler
The Time Ruler shows the frames of the animation and the current frame position.
The current frame is marked by a red playhead.
Use the Time Ruler to move to a frame or scrub through the animation.
Playback Options
The playback options control the current frame, playback range, and playback speed.
This area contains:
- Current Frame
- Playback Range
- Playback Speed
Use these settings to define where playback starts, where it ends, and how fast it runs.
Playback Controls
The playback controls let you control animation playback directly.
They include commands for:
- Toggling looping
- Jumping to the beginning of the playback range
- Stepping back by one frame
- Jumping to the previous keyframe
- Playing or stopping playback
- Stepping forward by one frame
- Jumping to the next keyframe
Common Timeline Actions
Most basic Timeline work is about moving through frames and previewing a specific section of the animation.
Select The Current Frame
Click in the Time Ruler to set the current frame.
The red playhead moves to the selected frame.
Scrub Through The Animation
Click and drag in the Time Ruler to scrub through the animation interactively.
This is one of the fastest ways to preview timing, motion, and frame changes.
Use The Playback Range
The Playback Range defines which part of the animation is played back.
Use it when you want to preview only a specific section instead of the full animation.
For example, you can use the playback range to focus on one movement, one loop, or one short part of a longer animation.
Adjust Playback Speed
Use Playback Speed to preview animation faster or slower.
This is useful when checking timing or reviewing motion that is difficult to judge at normal speed.
Scroll The Timeline View
Drag with the middle mouse button to change which part of the Timeline is currently visible.
Use this when the animation is longer than the visible Timeline area.
Useful Shortcuts
The Timeline includes these default shortcuts:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Step back one frame | , |
| Step forward one frame | . |
| Jump to previous keyframe | Ctrl+, |
| Jump to next keyframe | Ctrl+. |
| Jump to beginning of playback range | Shift+Ctrl+, |
What To Remember
- The Timeline is below the Scene View.
- The Time Ruler shows frames and the red playhead.
- Click in the Time Ruler to select the current frame.
- Drag in the Time Ruler to scrub through the animation.
- Playback Range limits which section is previewed.
- Playback Speed changes preview speed.
- Playback controls let you loop, play, stop, and step through frames or keyframes.
- Middle mouse dragging scrolls the visible Timeline area.