Can't change timeline on Storyline 2 files

Jul 03, 2015

I work on a MAC, VM Fusion. Not sure that makes a difference but I have been struggling with a lot of slides in this file. I can't move the timelines. I end up having to change each item's time first, then I can grab the 'timeline' and move it. I've attached a sample. I'm trying to move it back to the end of the audio.

I watched the screenr's on this and one didn't have any audio so not sure what I missed. If I select all the items and try to move them, they deselect immediately.

It's been very frustrating and time consuming and I'm sure I'm missing something.

Thanks for any help.

 

19 Replies
Alexander Salas

Ok Sue, 

The issue with the timeline since to be related to the "Title" Text Box which is not set to "Show Until End". If you right-click it and set it to show until end, you are then able to move the timeline.

I don't know if this is intended but, it makes sense if you think that it prevents your title from disappearing before the end of the timeline. 

The deselection of the items is also affected when you select the title box. It's tricky because you have to wait for the white horizontal arrows (item) rather than the vertical black arrows (timeline). If you click then, that's when the deselection happens. 

I added a quick video, sorry the audio is not good ; )

 

Sue Hammond

Alex thanks for the quick response. I did as you suggested (show until end) and still was not able to move the timeline to adjust it left.

However I really appreciate the selection hint. I wasn't 'seeing' that. I was able to select all and move them left. THEN I could move the timeline left. So the timeline is sticking for some reason. I'm sure there is a very good explanation for that. Just don't know it.

Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard

Hi Sue,

I'm glad Alex was able to assist here - and in terms of the timeline "sticking" I'd also want to make sure you're working with local project files as described here and then following these guidelines for best practices when working on a Mac. If the behavior persists in all of your .story files, I think it may be a good idea to also conduct a repair of Storyline. 

Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard

Typically when you add an audio or media file, the timeline extends out to that length to accommodate all of it - and if you change the media file or edit it to be shorter, the timeline doesn't update to reflect those changes. When I first looked at your timeline, it seemed that one of the text boxes wasn't visible right away - and so I moved it around slightly to ensure I had the right ones. Possibly you're running into the same thing, in terms of thinking you've made the adjustment to all the objects but a few got missed? 

Sue Hammond

Thanks again Alex. I swear this hasn't been a problem before so maybe it's a bug. I've actually had 2 different titles on some slides where one faded out and the other came in. So obviously I didn't have both play until end.

I don't want to set up 2 programs just to edit video. I've done this before and again did not have a problem.

That's not to say I don't appreciate your prompt help Ashley.

Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard

Thanks Alex for the video. I watched what you went through - but I see the same behavior on Storyline 1 and Storyline 2, with any objects that aren't set to be "show until end" (not just the title block). So I think this is all working as expected in that if you have an object set for a particular length of time and you're moving the timeline end point around, Storyline is assuming you set that object for a time length and therefore the end of the timeline shouldn't go past that. You can still change the timeline to be longer than that object - but not any shorter than that objects timeline. If you set them as "show until end" then it's assuming - no matter when the end is, all the objects should be visible until that point. 

Sue, in your scenario - if one title fades out, and the other fades in...I'm guessing the timeline could move up until the last title? You wouldn't want it to move past that title to the first one that is not set as show until end, as then the other title would never show? 

I know the behavior of the timeline expanding to accommodate the length of the media element inserted, and then not being able to adjust it based on changes or removing those files has been something others discussed before - but at this time, it would have to be a feature request. 

Sue Hammond

thank you. I guess I'm still confused why this is a problem all of a sudden for me. Something seems to have changed. But I'll just keep going. It's a real time issue so maybe it needs to be upgraded from feature request.

Alex, you saved me the other day. I very much appreciate your help. And Ashely the staff is always so helpful to jump in and explain things.

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