The Studio timeline header holds the playback transport, the select/razor tools, snapping, and the time-axis zoom — the controls you use constantly while animating.
Where: Top bar → Timeline (Studio) → header — Open the Studio timeline
Key ideas
- Transport: Play/pause (Space), skip to start/end (Home/End), step to prev/next keyframe (, / .), and loop (L).
- Select vs Razor: V selects and moves layers/keyframes; C is the razor that splits a layer/track at the cursor.
- Snap & zoom: Snap aligns keyframes/trims to nearby keyframes; zoom the time axis with ⌘- / ⌘+ and fit with ⌘0.
Steps
- Open the Studio timeline.
- Use Space/Home/End and , / . to move the playhead.
- Switch V (select) and C (razor) as needed.
- Toggle Snap and zoom the time axis (⌘- / ⌘+ / ⌘0).
Playback and navigation
- Space: play/pause.
- Home / End: composition start/end.
- , / .: previous/next keyframe.
- L: toggle loop.
Editing tools
- V: Select for layers/keyframes.
- C: Razor to split a layer/track at the chosen time.
- Return to Select immediately after cutting to avoid accidental extra splits.
Precision controls
- Snap aligns keyframes and trim handles with nearby timing boundaries.
- Cmd/Ctrl+- and Cmd/Ctrl++ zoom the time axis.
- Cmd/Ctrl+0 fits the active timeline in the pane.
- Zoom changes only the view; it does not retime content.
Tips
- Navigate to the correct nested/precomposition timeline before using transport shortcuts.
- Zoom in and enable Snap for frame-sensitive edits; disable Snap for intentional offsets.
Troubleshooting
Clicks keep splitting tracks
Razor is still active. Press V or choose Select.
Keyframe navigation skips an expected point
Confirm that the point is a keyframe in the active timeline, not only a clip boundary or an interaction trigger.