Horizontal Timeline + Visual Example!

[Alon Dan]

As a professional 2D Animator, I can use the Xsheet and it is OK and works fine for me and probably for others.

BUT!

The Xsheet is the old way of animations, today where most screens are horizontally (HD, FULL HD, ULTRA HD, etc..)

It is much easier to work horizontally, from Left to Right instead of Up to Down.

The Xsheet usually works a bit different then any other Timeline from other 2D Animation software but basically it does the same, frames, keyframes, onion skin support etc..

If you'll take a look on  TV Paint Animation  and  Toon Boom Harmony,
you'll notice that they have both options / modes:  a Timeline  and  Xsheet.

They are working in perfect sync with each other so you can work in Timeline and flip to Xsheet whenever you like in your Project.

MY SUGGESTION:

Adding a TIMELINE (Left to Right based mode) as an extra feature, not instead of the Xsheet.

I'm not a programmer but if any of the developers will be able to add an extra option (panel) that will TRANSLATE exactly what the Xsheet already does,

into a Vertical based mode like in other 2D Animation software. not only it will be easier to manage and work on our screens but also! 

It will be much more inviting and friendly to other newcomers to OpenToonz who are so scared from the Xsheet.

What I think is, that the developers need to SHAPE a panel and translate all the current features we already have from the Xsheet and call it TIMELINE, there is no need for specific new features to the Timeline just translate it whenever the Xsheet gets any new feature so both can work together.

What do you guys think?

Please share your opinions and if any OpenToonz developer reads this PLEASE give us some good news! :)

* Sorry about my bad English.

Here is the rough idea I put together just to visualize it, Please notice!
I made it quick so a developer will be able to IMAGINE my suggestion for a timeline, it's not fancy or accurate at all:

 For full size click the image:

[Rodney]

@Alon Dan

Good news! Horizontal Timeline/xsheet is currently being implemented.

Code is flying up, down and both ways at the same time.  Toggle-able too!

Those interested in developing OpenToonz are encouraged to watch development progress on github to get a firsthand view.

[Alon Dan]

Hey Rodney,
These are GREAT NEWS! it's exactly what I was expecting for the sake of new people, but even I will be happy to use it.

Is there any release date for the upcoming Timeline feature?

I have no experience with compiling github files, unless there is a compiled github version (I'm not an expert) I'll be happy to give it a try.

[Rodney]

The Devs are awesome and put out new fixes and features as fast as they can.

I generally watch the Nightly builds to see if something captures my attention that compels me to install it.

Those nightly builds are executable binaries... no need for us to compile.

I think we are coming due for another point release of OpenToonz so it shouldn't be long.

Personally I'm not in a hurry because more features/fixes will get into the release if it isn't rushed out the door.

This is important because many OpenToonz users never install the Nightly builds but wait for the official release.

This is best practice because those installing the nightly builds have to be able to live on the cutting edge where code, especially of new features, may not be fully stable. 

The horizontal timeline is a major change so it's being worked in 'how do you eat an elephant' style... one piece at a time.  :)

The Devs are doing a great job.

Especially when they are implementing features faster than we can request them!

[TurtleTooth]

Alon Dan- 
I will see if I can make a portable version with the timeline for testing.  It has not yet been added to the nightly builds, but seems somewhat stable.  One thing to note- you currently can't zoom in and out of the timeline like other programs.  Right now the focus is simply on making sure it works and is stable.  In my opinion, the frames feel a little wide, but right now it is to make room for keyframe icons, level frame numbers . . .

If you are interested in trying it out, let me know and I will see if I can get it up and running.

[Alon Dan]

TurtleTooth, YES!

I will be happy to test this please let me know if you came up with a portable version so I can give it a chance.

Thank you so much for working on OpenToonz and make it better. :)

[John Dancel]

Yay! Would love to see what timeline looks like. Is it the xsheet in a horizontal layout or more like a real timeline which you can jump to the Xsheet?

I'd like to test/play around with it also if possible. :)

[TurtleTooth]

Here is the link:

https://github.com/turtletooth/OpenToonzPortable/releases/tag/v.1.1.2-timeline

It has the same functionality as the xsheet- but just in a horizontal format for now.  There is a button in the corner of the xsheet to toggle between the two views.

[Rodney]

Testing this out now and... so far so awesome!  :)

(Not to mention the portable itself)

It's cool that we can toggle between xsheet(verticle) and timeline(horizontal) even during playback.

Nice.

I tried to find the original github PR for this but couldn't find it to say thanks... so doing it here.  

Added:  I'm a fan of the verticle xsheet but must admit that the horizontal timeline is quite useful, especially when animating things that move horizontally.  :)

[Alon Dan]

Turtle Tooth, 
Thank you so much YOU ROCKS!

I just grabbed it and I must agree with Rodney, not only that the Portable version by itself is very useful.

But also, I like the toggle between the Xsheet to Timeline on the fly!

I understand that the current Timline is not complete yet, extra options such as  Zoom In/Out  are not available yet but still... it is already much more inviting for newcomers for sure, As a professional animator I found it already VERY helpful and it's speeding my process based on how my brain works.

Official Release:

Do you have any idea if the Horizontal Xsheet (Timeline Window) will be ready for the upcoming official release of OpenToonz?

New Dedicated Room:

May I suggest that on the official release of the Timeline Window you will add an EXTRA Room as default?

I've attached an example of how I setup the most efficient and clean (for me) to use a nice clean start-point room:

Bug?

Not sure but, it's probably a bug in this version, I couldn't add any New Styles to the Project Palettes but I didn't care much because I wanted to play with the Timeline, I can't wait to see how it will evolve and I love it already!

Thank you so much for taking the time and making OpenToonz MUCH better!

I'll always be happy to test and have a taste of early experimental features as you develop them.

OFF-TOPIC:

I hope for a new improved Brush Engine in the future... (we had a discussion about it before, we compared it to Toonboom Harmony's perfect vector brush feel, cut-lines over each other with one click and the the "feel" of the brush as drawing in general.

Any hints? about this subject? I know it's off topic but I didn't want to open a new thread because I have no clue the current state for the brush engine.

Keep up the good job! I'm already very excited about the current Timeline version!

[TurtleTooth]

For the project palette- did you right click and make a new palette first?  I just checked and it seems to work here.