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Stopwatch

The Stopwatch can be used to mark the beat of an animation or a soundtrack. You can open it by accessing the Windows > Animation > Stopwatch menu.

The Stopwatch panel

Here is a description of its settings so you can learn how to use it:

  • The Play icon: this icon allows you to start the Stopwatch. Click on it once more to pause the Stopwatch.
  • The Chrono icon: marks the beat measured by the Stopwatch and adds it to the list at the bottom of the panel.
  • The Chrono Reset icon: resets the Stopwatch.
  • Link to playback allows you to read your animation and the Stopwatch at the same time.
  • Metronome: turns a metronome sound on when using the Stopwatch. You can choose its Tempo by entering a numerical value in the dedicated field (in frames per second).

You can convert beats you have marked and listed by clicking on the Actions drop down menu:

The Stopwatch panel's Actions menu

  • New Scene: turns marked beats into Clips, in order to create an animatic.
  • New Layer: turns marked beats into Instances.
  • New Bookmarks: turns marked beats into Bookmarks
  • New Image Marks: turns marked beats into Image Marks.
warning

Do not forget an Instance has to be created before being able to add an Image Mark to it.

  • Create sound from tempo: turns marked beats into a rhythm track which is then added to the soundtrack area.
  • Create sound from marks: turns Image Marks in a sound track which is then added to the soundtrack area.
  • Calculate tempo: changes the Metronome's tempo according to the beats you have marked.
  • Clear list: deletes the marked beats list.