Ancillaries

Other than the 3 main playback controls described in the last section, there are two ancillary features in the Timeline that are designed to expand and better serve the playback function. They are: Playhead Pause and Scene Hopping.

Playhead Pause

The playhead is the small rollover button located on top of each thumbnail frame of the Timeline (see FIG. 10). This orange triangular button lights up when the respective frame (scene) is selected. During playback, corresponding to the scene number display, the playhead progresses along the Timeline indicating the current playing scene. This Playhead may be moving out of the current Timeline view, but is progressing off stage as long as the playback continues. One can scroll to find its progression at other Timeline position.

The playhead serves mostly as a "current" position ticker during playback. But it also works as a "pause" button for you to stop the movie momentarily 'to' any spot in the Timeline. You simply click on the playhead or the thumbnail of a scene in the Timeline to have the playback stopped at that scene instantaneously. The advantage of this way of pausing is that, unlike the Play/Pause button that always stops a movie at the "current" scene, it stops a movie at "any" scene you choose in the Timeline. So that you can do your Timeline search during playback and zero in on your selection directly.

Scene Hopping

This is a way to jump from the current scene position directly to any other scene in a movie during playback or when the timeline is paused. The tool to use for "hopping" is the "current" scene number field (next to the clapboard icon, see FIG. 10). Note that this number is user selectable and definable. To skip to another timeline position, simply select the "current" number and overwrite it with a desired (scene) number, then hit "Enter" on your keyboard. Voila, you're brought to the designated scene instantaneously! If the timeline is in play mode, the "hop" won't interrupt the playback, it simply jumps the timeline to the specified scene and carry on the playback from there.

Note that when you "hop" to another timeline position, the selected scene (with Playhead above it) will always jump to the center screen position of the Timeline. This is designed to ensure you a sense of whereabouts (especially in a lengthy timeline) by always bringing the relevant scene in view. It is both a measure of reference and a feature for quick accessibility.