2.5 Timeline Navigation

2.5.0 The Playhead

The Playhead is a mobile time marker that reads the Timeline’s content and indicates the current time of the Show. It is represented by a downward-pointing red triangle located on the Timeline.

2.5.1 Playhead Positioning

Position Playhead using the Mouse

Use the following methods to position the Playhead with your mouse:

• [Left-click+Drag] inside the black area of the Timeline (also known as the Time Bar) to move the Playhead; or

• [Left-click+Drag] the Playhead to move it across the Time Bar; or

• [Double-click] in the black area of the Timeline (also known as the Time Bar) to make the Playhead jump to that position.

Position Playhead using the Time Box

The Time Box is a field located at the upper left side of the Timeline Editor, which displays the Show’s current time in numeric values. Use the following methods to move the Playhead to a time value specified in the Time Box:

• Double-click or press [F2] to edit the numeric value in the Time Box.

• Double-click or press [F2], then press the [+] key and add the number of frames you want the Playhead to move forward. If the number entered is preceded by the [-] key, the Playhead will jump backward. If the number entered exceeds 99, the time value will be divided as follows: hours:minutes:seconds:frames. For example, entering + 122 will make the Playhead jump forward 1 second 22 frames.

Other Ways to Position the Playhead

It is possible to move the Playhead using other methods:

• Click on the transport buttons located to the left of the Timeline Editor window section to move the Playhead.

• Many keyboard shortcuts will move the Playhead. A list of the shortcuts linked to the Timeline module can be accessed by selecting {Help > Shortcut Keys > Timeline Shortcuts} in the Main Menu bar.

• Trigger a Cue containing a pre-recorded change to the Playhead’s position.

• Select a predefined Region by clicking on its entry in the Region list (located in the far left part of the Timeline editor window section) to make the Playhead jump to the Region’s location on the Timeline.

2.5.2 Timeline Zoom and Navigation

Zoom and Navigation using the Mouse and Keyboard

• Use the [Mouse Scroll] to zoom in on the Playhead’s location on the Timeline; or

• Press [Ctrl+Mouse Scroll] to zoom in on the cursor’s location on the Timeline.

Zoom and Navigation using the Zoom Bar

• Use the Zoom Bar located at the top of the Timeline to zoom in on sections of the Timeline.

• [Click+Drag] the white handles located at the Zoom Bar’s edges to change the zoom value.

• [Click+Drag] the center of the Zoom Bar to modify its view position.

2.5.3 Re-center the Playhead

• [Double-click] on the Zoom Bar to center the Timeline view on where the Playhead is positioned; or

• Press [F5] (the Timeline must be in focus) to re-center the Playhead.

2.5.4 Scroll and Pan on the Timeline

Scroll

To scroll up or down on the Timeline you can:

• Place the cursor in the Screen name column at the left of the Timeline; or

• Place the cursor on the scrollbar at the far right edge of the Timeline.

Pan

To pan left and right on the Timeline:

• Using the mouse, [Middle-click+Drag] anywhere in the Timeline’s tracks.

2.5.5 J K L

You can use the [J], [K] and [L] keys to control the Playhead speed during playback. Playhead speed can be increased up to 40 times its normal speed in both directions.

• Press the [J] key to reverse playback (1 times) speed.

• Press the [K] key to pause playback.

• Press the [L] key to playback forward at (1 times) speed.

2.5.6 Navigate Timeline Using Ins and Outs

Clip time boundaries (the In and Out points) can be used to navigate through the Timeline.

• Press [Ctrl+J] to make the Playhead jump backward to the next In or Out point on the Timeline.

• Press [Ctrl+K] to make the Playhead jump forward to the next In or Out point on the Timeline.