Forum Discussion
Storyline 360 when timeline starts on object
It used to be that I could set up a trigger to hide/show a textbox based on a variable when the timeline started on that object.
But for some reason it doesn't seem to work now. I can only get it to work if I set the trigger to run when the timeline starts for the slide.
The original behavior was advantageous when the textbox has to be pasted on top of (above) content on individual slides, since the trigger comes with it when you copy/paste it. For example: a status indicator textbox that appears on the master slide has to be copied and pasted onto individual slides to place it on top of images that appear on top of the master slide version of the status indicator.
My assumption is this is a bug - but let me know if I'm doing something wrong.
Demonstrated difference between the two slides behavior in the below review 360 link:
If you change to timeline start of the slide rather tahn the object that it will work as you intended.
6 Replies
I have a distant memory of maybe noticing this changeover, I'm not sure, though I also recall finding the way it is now to be more intuitive. The reason is because while the timeline may technically reach the entry point of an asset on the timeline, I'm of the mind (and this explains the changeover) that if the object is hidden, then it doesn't have a practical entry point from which to invoke the "When the timeline starts on Text Box 1" trigger.
I can see it both ways so I'm not disagreeing with you, and there's no reason in the physical universe the program cannot be made to still trigger even if the object is hidden, but I'm very certain this isn't a bug so much as a correction, though I can't speak from the perspective of the development team.
I think the easiest solution is to set the initial state of the textbox to Normal and simply invert the trigger: to hide Text Box 1 when the timeline starts on Text Box 1 if the showIndicator = False. The hiding is instant, avoiding any "blip" of a Normal object momentarily rendering before being hidden by the trigger, so the effect is the same as what you desire, but it seems the Hidden initial state is not compatible with the trigger that checks when the object enters the scene.
Ah yes, I see. This is the expected behaviour. As the element is hidden, it's timeline does not start. You would have to have the default state as Normal for this behaviour to work.
Hidden = Object timeline does not run.
Normal = Object timeline runs.
It is safe to use the method of having the object's state as Normal. You will not see a flash of the object. The only thing you will need to look out for is if you use the property "Resume saved state" on the slide. If the saved state is Hidden, the trigger will no longer act on the object, and so you would either "Reset to initial" or add a trigger to always reset the object to Normal start at the start of the slide so that you know the trigger will always run.
Agree with Sam, object is hidden so its timeline has not started yet
Thank you both that makes a lot of sense, I had just assumed the timeline always starts even if it is hidden, but this makes a lot more sense now. Unfortunately, keeping the object visible and then hiding it always seems to show it for a blip of a second, which I believe our client will not like. This is very useful information, though, thank you!
If you change to timeline start of the slide rather tahn the object that it will work as you intended.
That is indeed what I've done, I think for this current file it'll be the best solution. Thank you Phil!
