> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://memorystring.codebyz.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://memorystring.codebyz.com/build-your-movie/timeline.md). # Timeline The strip under the stage is the movie’s pulse — hold times, music, and where a too-long toast gets trimmed. ![Photo lane and music waveform for a full show](/files/XKIORH2Css0P7SLxCKzW) ![Timeline header: clip name, caption field, Generate, zoom](/files/DdWxsUyvrus87T1Sway6) ![Timeline: typing a slide caption](/files/KMrw7RbiXSSz9vELmy7f) ## Layout Time, pictures, music: 1. **Time ruler** — click or drag to seek; hover for a ghost preview (ghost line + dimmer time chip) until you click 2. **Photo lane** — slides, intro, and group cells 3. **Music lane** — soundtrack clips Chrome above shows selected clip **name + duration** and zoom. Readout is **fit-relative**: **1.0×** = whole project in the window; **3.0×** = three windows wide. ### Timeline height Need taller thumbs? Drag the **thin seam above the Timeline** (between the preview row and the filmstrip) **up** to grow the photo lane, **down** to shrink it. Extra height runs from **0** to about **160** points and is remembered across launches. **⌘+** / **⌘-** still scale Timeline strip height (and Library cards) with UI text size; this drag adds on top of that base. ![Drag the seam to grow the filmstrip; zoom slider scales the strip live](/files/Os6DyUeCDsLKxbcDy28g) ### Zoom and gestures Zoom out for the whole birthday; in when a half-second matters. * **Zoom slider** (minus / plus magnifying glass) — scale updates **live** as you drag; all the way **left** for an end-to-end overview * **Pinch** on a trackpad to zoom the strip * **Scroll-wheel** zoom (pointer over the Timeline) * **⌥⌘+** / **⌥⌘-** zoom in / out * **Two-finger trackpad pan** or **horizontal scroll** to move along the strip * **Middle-mouse drag** to pan **⌘+** / **⌘-** / **⌘0** are UI text size — they scale **Library cards** and Timeline *strip height* together, not Timeline zoom. Once slides exceed a readable fit, the timeline **scrolls** instead of squeezing. Cells keep a minimum width (thumbs, motion label, duration). Very long projects cap at about **8 windows** — zoom in from there. A very short hold still gets a clickable cell. During playback the strip **follows the playhead**. Hand-pan while paused is never yanked back. Drag near either edge to auto-scroll. Hover-scrub on the ruler stands down while the strip travels under the pointer (trackpad momentum), then re-syncs when it settles. Dragging the playhead, a blue time chip shows tenths, then hundredths / frames as you zoom in. **←** / **→** nudge (\~0.1s, accelerates if held); **⇧** for larger steps. ## Reorder and trim Move the awkward photo. Shorten what overstays. Leave the good ones alone. Drag clips on the photo lane. Drag from the **Library** into a **gap** to insert or move; drop on a **single** or **group seat** to **Replace**. Music clips reorder on the music lane. First click on a group selects the whole window; second click on a thumb drills into that seat. See [Organizing](/build-your-movie/organizing.md#in-group-photos-and-videos). Select a clip, then drag **edge grips** on either end: * **Videos** — frame feedback in the trim; **2 second** minimum. **Reset Length** restores the full file * **Music** — the edge **auditions** that moment in the source song (the mixed bed stays paused). **Reset Length** returns to the auto-skipped quiet-edge window, or the full file if none was found * **Stills** — edge drag changes how long the slide holds Right-click a photo or video on the **photo lane**: ![Timeline clip menu: Slide Transition, rotate, duration, Auto Caption, Remove](/files/KlshBQf2wfETZONo0iHH) * **Slide Transition** — pick a cut, or **Random** (groups: **Change Transition** / **Ungroup** / **Group Transition** when several clips are selected) * **Rotate Right** / **Rotate Left** / **Flip Horizontal** / **Flip Vertical** * **Set Duration…** (**⌘D**) * **Auto Caption** or **Clear Caption** * **Remove from Project** (**⌘⌫**) * Videos also: **Mute Video Sound** / **Unmute Video Sound**, **Reset Length** Right-click a video or music clip for trim: * **Set Start Here** / **Set End Here** — trim in/out at the playhead * **Reset Length** The Inspector clip footer offers the same playhead trims for a selected **video** or **soundtrack**. **⌘1** / **⌘2** = Set Start / Set End; **⌘D** opens **Set Duration…** (value selected to type; applies to every selected *slide*). **Reset Slide Durations** (Motion → Timeline / Library ⋯) restores default still timing. ![Set Duration… for selected slides](/files/zE2d5AyB06GQID7TyM9p) A slide with no caption offers **Auto Caption** (or **Auto Caption N Untitled Slides** for a multi-selection of blanks). Once it has text, that item is **Clear Caption**. Intro cell: **Disable Intro Slide**. ## Motion → Timeline (Studio) Sort and shuffle from the Inspector when order still feels wrong. Inspector → **Motion** → **Timeline**: * **Sort by Date Taken** — Oldest First / Newest First / Import Order * **Shuffle Slides** — pauses playback, randomizes photo order, seeks to the start * **Shuffle Transitions** — keeps photo order; starts a fresh deal of single-slide cuts, group kinds, and window positions. Cadence, which group types are on, and card counts stay. Hand-picked Slide Transitions: asks before clearing. Also Library **⋯**: ![Library ⋯: Shuffle Transitions, Reset Slide Durations, Show Transition Names](/files/SbGHhEngTBljDDUcqwJh) * **Reset Slide Durations** The intro stays first. **⌘Z** undoes sort / shuffle. ## End card Every show closes on a short **MemoryString** credit. On the photo lane that hold is a trailing black **end** cell — click it to select the end card (same as scrubbing into the closing credit). It is not a media clip you can trim or reorder. ## Groups on the strip Multi-photo windows collapse followers onto a **lead** cell (for example “stack of 4”, “carousel of 5”, “ribbon of N”, “pair of 2”, “filmstrip of N”, “Scatter & Settle”). The cell can show a multi-thumb strip and per-video mute badges. One cell, many faces. See [Multi-photo groups](/style-and-motion/groups.md#timeline-library). --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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