Editing an Image Using the Timeline

Overview

When you add an image to a media placeholder, it is static. Using the timeline in the Media Editor, you can apply animation effects to the image or combine it with other images to create a single, cohesive image that can be used directly in the scene.

If you add shapes or text to the image, you can use the timeline to control how these elements behave alongside the image.

Once you edit an image using the timeline, it becomes dynamic and is converted into a video asset. From that point on, you can continue editing it using the tools available for video assets.

Use Cases

You'll want to use the timeline when you need to:

• Combine multiple images into a single visual that appears as one media asset in the scene
   
• Add animation to a single image, such as enter and exit effects
   
• Add shapes or text to an image and control when they appear and disappear

Opening the Timeline in the Media Editor

1.	In the scene, select the media placeholder that contains the image you want to edit.
2.	Click Edit on the toolbar.
3.	In the Media dialog that appears, click Edit once more.
4.	In the Media Editor, click Add Timeline in the left sidebar.
	The timeline section is added and ready for you to work with.

Understanding the Timeline Interface

Once the timeline is open, it's helpful to understand the interface so that you can make your edits efficiently.

The timeline includes several key components, each labeled in the image below:

The Timeline Tracks

Each element you add to your image — whether another media asset, a text box, or a shape — appears as a separate track in the timeline. These tracks are stacked vertically, with each representing a different component of your composition. In the example shown below, there are three tracks:

1. Main track — the foundation layer containing the original image you selected to edit
2. Shape (rectangle) — serves as the background for the text 
3. Text box — provides a caption for the image

The vertical order of the tracks determines how elements are layered in the image. Elements in higher tracks appear above elements in lower tracks. For example, if a solid-colored rectangle is placed in track 2 and a text box is placed in track 3, the text box appears on top of the rectangle.

Working with Timeline Actions

This section demonstrates the actions you can perform on timeline tracks to control how images and elements appear and behave over time.

Adding a Media Asset
Changing When an Element Appears
Changing How Long an Element Appears
Adding Animations to Elements

Adding a Media Asset

You can add additional media assets to the timeline to build a sequence. Each added asset is placed on the same track as the original image and appears immediately after it, creating a seamless sequence.

To add a media asset to the timeline:

1.	Click + Add Media on the track containing the original image.
	The Media Library opens.
2.	Locate the media asset (image or video) you want to add.
3.	Select the media asset, and then click Import in the bottom-right corner.
	The media asset is added to the track with a default duration of 5 seconds.
4.	(Optional) Adjust the placement of the media asset using the side handles so that it is positioned in the placeholder according to your preferences.

Changing When an Element Appears

You can control when an element appears and disappears in the image by adjusting its position on the timeline.

To change when an element appears:

1.	Select the element on the timeline.
2.	Drag the element left or right to change when it enters. ▶ Drag left to make the element appear earlier in the image. ▶ Drag right to make the element appear later in the image.
3.	Release the mouse button to set the new position.
4.	Preview the result to see when the element appears and leaves.
	In the example below, the text box displaying "New Capabilities" (track 2) appears together with the second image, 5 seconds after the main image first appears.

Changing How Long an Element Appears

You can control how long an element remains visible in the image by adjusting its duration on the timeline.

To change how long an element appears:

1.	Select the element on the timeline.
2.	Drag the start or end handle of the element to change its duration.
3.	Preview the result to see how long the element remains visible.
	In the example below, the first image (in track 1) is extended from 5 seconds to 8 seconds. To keep the caption visible for the entire duration of the image, the rectangle (track 2) and the text box (track 3) are also extended to 8 seconds.

Adding Animations to Elements

Animations can be applied to both images and elements layered on top of images, such as shapes and text boxes. When applied to an image, animations affect how the image itself enters, behaves, or exits. When applied to an element, animations affect only that specific element, without impacting the underlying image.

Animations are especially useful when combining multiple images, as they can help create smooth transitions between images.

The Media Editor supports three types of animations:

• In animations — control how an image or element enters
• Loop animations — control how an image or element behaves while it is displayed 
• Out animations — control how an image or element exits

To apply an animation to an element:

1.	Select the element on the timeline.
2.	On the toolbar, click Animations.
3.	In the panel that opens, click the animation effect or effects you want to apply to the element. ▶ After selecting an animation, click it again to open additional properties that you can configure for the effect.
4.	Preview the animations that were applied.
	In the example below, the image enters with the Ken Burns Effect and exits with the Blur effect.

Saving and Using the Edited Image

1.	Once you've finished editing the image, preview the result to see how the media assets, elements, and animations come together.
2.	When you're satisfied with the result, click Apply in the upper-right corner to save your edits and return to the Studio.
	The media placeholder is updated with the image you created.
3.	Select the media placeholder that contains the image.
4.	Click Duration on the toolbar, and then select Play full duration. ▶ This ensures that the scene duration matches the length of the asset you created and is not cut short.
5.	Preview the scene to see how the edited image appears to viewers. ▶ At any time, you can reopen the image in the Media Editor and make additional changes as needed.

Notes

1.	To exit the Media Editor without saving your changes, click Cancel in the upper-right corner.
2.	If you open an image in the Media Editor timeline and click Apply — after not making any changes — the image is converted into a video asset with a default duration of five seconds. The next time you open this asset in the Media Editor, it opens as a video and the Media Editor displays the video editing tools.