Shift Selection Focus from Timeline to Canvas in Storyline 2

Feb 21, 2017

Hello all,

Is there any way to make a selection in the timeline and then keep those elements selected in the canvas/main window? This would save soooo much time. If I want to select something in the back of the layer order, I have to move it to the front in the timeline or turn the visibility off for items in front of it. It would be so useful if I could just select an item in the timeline then use the arrows to move it around (not in the timeline, but move the object's position visually). I've already submitted a feature request.

While on the subject, an essential feature would also be to have the timeline update according to where the playhead is, in edit mode. Right now we basically have to preview over and over to see any changes. Are there plans to have the canvas update according to playhead position while in editing mode? I've also submitted a feature request for this.

These two features would save so much time on a daily basis for me.

Thanks!!

Adam

8 Replies

Alyssa Gomez
Staff

7 years ago02/22/17 at 4:22 pm (UTC)

Hey Adam!

I can definitely understand how that would make life easier, and that's a feature that I'm sure many of our users would benefit from. Thanks for taking the time to submit a feature request!

And for your second idea, that's one I've seen mentioned a few times in the forums, so you're not alone there! I appreciate you sharing your perspective, as that gives us a better idea of how in demand the feature is.

Adam Hain
Author

7 years ago02/22/17 at 4:35 pm (UTC)

Hi Alyssa,

Thanks for the reply. I did discover a bit of a workaround for issue one! You can select an item in the timeline, then press control + enter (or control + shift + enter) to bring up a dialog box. Then press enter again to close the dialog box. This usually shifts focus to the canvas where I can adjust elements. This made me very happy yesterday!!

I would just adjust in the dialog box but it's easier to move items around visually than typing in pixels.

Another great shortcut would be 'move selected item to front/back'. There's not one currently right?

Thanks again!

Alyssa Gomez
Staff

7 years ago02/22/17 at 5:57 pm (UTC)

Cool find! I always love learning about new "hacks." :)

And yes, there is an option to right-click on an object in the timeline and select Bring to Front/Send to Back. I hope this helps!

Adam Hain
Author

7 years ago02/22/17 at 6:31 pm (UTC)

Cool thanks! I use the right click method but am looking for more of a keyboard shortcut. It would be great if you could move up/down in the layer stack or to front/back (like in Illustrator).

One more thing, is there a way to move more than one layer at once up or down in the timeline stacking order? The only way I have found is to group, move and then ungroup - or move layers one at a time.

Thanks!

Alyssa Gomez
Staff

7 years ago02/22/17 at 7:37 pm (UTC)

Ah, I see! Here is a list of all of the built-in Storyline 2 keyboard shortcuts, but that list does not include a shortcut to bring an object to the front or back.

Something you could do, though, is create your own keyboard shortcut by adding the Bring Forward/Send Back features to the Quick Access Toolbar. Just right-click the button for any Storyline feature, then select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.

To launch any of the buttons on the Quick Access Toolbar via a keyboard shortcut, press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard and press the number key that matches the button you want to launch. For example, the first button on the Quick Access Toolbar is "1," the second button is "2," etc.

And you're right, there isn't a way to move a "stack" of objects on the timeline. Like you said, you'll have to group them first (Ctrl+G), move the group, then ungroup them (Ctrl+Shift+G).