An introduction to the Unity tool Timeline for linear animation sequencing, part of course on narrative design for games.

1. Timeline Workshop
Narrative Design Series
Thomas Deacon, 2021-22
https://tinyurl.com/rca-unity-timeline

2. Stuff to do now!
● Get these slides:
https://tinyurl.com/rca-unity-timeline
● Register a Mixamo account to grab animations and character models
● Open the template project provided

3. What is Timeline
Unity Timeline Editor can create and edit
cinematic content, gameplay sequences, audio
sequences, and complex particle effects.
You can move clips around the Timeline, change
when they start, and decide how they should
blend and behave with other clips on the track.

4. When should I use it?
Do you need to respond to user or
system input dynamically?
Then use animation controllers and
state-machines.
Animators Dynamically switch animations
based on rules.
Do you need to compose sequences of
action?
Use timeline!
Timeline Directs object to create Linear
Sequences of Actions during gameplay, this
can be animation, sound, custom code etc.

5. Unity Terminology
Track Group lets you make a collection of tracks.
Activation Track controls when to activate a track on the Timeline.
Animation Track allows you to import existing animation clips or create an
animation from scratch directly within Timeline.
Audio Track allows you to import existing audio clips and make edits. Note that
you cannot preview audio outside of Play mode.
Control Track lets you take control of time-related elements of a GameObject,
such as a PlayableDirector or a ParticleSystem.

6. Unity Terminology
Playable Track allows you to trigger other timeline sequences.
Signal Track establishes a communication channel between the Timeline and
outside systems.
Cinemachine Track Allows you to control Cinemachine cameras within the
Timeline.

7. DIY Overview
1. Setup Project
2. Make your first timeline!
a. Create a master timeline
b. Create a sub-track
c. Add keyframed animations
d. Add animation components
e. Work with activation tracks
3. Let’s make a warehouse rave!
a. Work with audio tracks
b. Work with humanoid animation
c. Work with lighting animation

8. Follow-ups
● Practice!
● Work with Procedural Motion timeline tracks
● Control Particle Systems with timeline
● Practice!
● Look at the Playables API and Manual
● Expand Timeline to work in non-linear ways
● Work with Cinemachine to do create animated short films
● Practice!