User`s guide

The Timeline Window

• Filter visibility: Turns all filters on the track on and off. When it is on, the filtered

output is visible in the Composite window and in the rendered output—see “Viewing

Filters” on page 178.

• Preview: Opens a preview window for a track, which shows the track’s content,

including the track’s shape and source media with any nested filters or masks.

As you work on one shape or container track in a complex composition, you can rapidly

preview the isolated element by closing the Composite window and opening a Preview

window for the shape or container track.

You can preview QuickTime movies by clicking the Preview button to open a

QuickTime Source Preview monitor—see “Previewing Effects” on page 192.

• Motion Blur: Turns the motion blur on the track on and off. Turning on the motion blur

lets you adjust its parameters. in the Motion Blur tab.

Motion blur is especially memory-intensive. Try selecting a lower resolution or switch

the Composite window to Draft quality mode when creating a motion blur effect

• Lock: Lets you lock and unlock a track. The track is unlocked by default. Locking it is if

you do not want to accidentally change its properties. When the track is locked, its

media and filter selection controls are grayed out

• Media selection: Lets you select the type of media to use for the track. Each media type

displays a different icon in the timeline window.

Types of Timeline Tracks

There are four main types of tracks on the timeline that are used to create effects and

animation:

• Shape track

• Mask track

• Transformations track

• Face track

Composite

Preview