9.5.2

TIMELINE • 971
19. Timeline
CINEMA 4D’s Timeline is a powerful tool for controlling and playing back animation. Like a sheet
of music, the timing of the elements is represented horizontally. However, unlike sheet music, each
element in an animation is represented by a key. Each horizontal line in the Timeline is called a track.
Tracks control how objects are animated, from simple position animation to complex effects such as
morphing.
A track can contain one or more sequences. These control the time period over which the animation
occurs. Each sequence is then lled with keys at positions of your choosing to dene how the animation
changes over time — such as a change in Z position from one key to another. Most sequences require
at least two keys.
Below each sequence (when you click on a ‘+’ icon) you’ll usually nd an F-Curve, which controls the
interpolation between the keys in the sequence. By editing the F-Curves, either directly in the Timeline
or in the F-Curve manager, you can ne-tune the animation, add ease-in and ease-out and more.
Each object may have as many tracks, sequences and keys as desired. As with the Object manager, the
vertical position of an item determines its priority in the animation. For example, if a spline animation
for a dog’s tail is above a position track in the Timeline, the spline is animated rst.
Animation Toolbar