Animation in Timeline - Weird Triangle with Yellow Square

Aug 15, 2022

I feel silly asking this, but I can't make sense of a simple fade-in animation in the Storyline 360 Timeline. 

I have a text box I want to fade-in at a certain time. Before, I would grab the object in the Timeline, move it to when I wanted it to appear on the slide and use the Duration settings to time the animation. Simple, right?

Now there's this weird bar that spans the entirety of the timeline (even when I don't want the object on the timeline); it has a triangle and little yellow square. I can't make sense of how all these fit together to make my timing right. 

I'd *love* to attach a picture or file but can't because my company doesn't allow it anymore. Huzzah! Thanks for any insight!

6 Replies
Kelly Auner

Hi Heather,

I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing an issue with the timeline. I'm happy to help troubleshoot! When you insert something on your slide, it will also appear on the timeline. You should still be able to change the timing and duration of an object on the timeline as you described above.

  • First, add an animation to the text box.
  • To control when an object animates in, drag it left or right along the timeline.
  • To change the duration of an object, drag its right edge along the timeline. This controls when the object disappears (or animates out).

Here's a quick recording I did to test this out. Are you able to adjust the text box on your timeline? If possible, can you elaborate bit more on when you would like the text box to fade in?

I hope this helps! You're welcome to share your file with us privately in a support case as well! We will delete it from our systems once troubleshooting is complete.

Heather Vogt

Hello! Thanks for the response. I know the basics of animations and all that; it's just the weird animation timing block before the actual element (if that makes sense). I guess SL is trying to show you when the animation starts and when the element is actually visible on the slide?

Maria Costa-Stienstra

Hi, Heather.

You are correct! Storyline now shows on the timeline when the entrance or exit animation starts and ends on an object:

Animations on timeline

I just wanted to add a quick note: it looks like your signature came through when you replied via email. You can remove it by clicking ‘Edit’ below your response. Here’s a quick Peek 360 video if you need help.

Steven Benassi

Hi Jale!

Thanks for sharing the feedback!

If you've run into setbacks when adjusting animation elements on the timeline, would you be comfortable sharing a copy of your .story file? I'd be happy to take a closer look and provide suggestions!

Feel free to upload it here in the discussion or privately through a support case. We'll delete it as soon as we have finished!