Timetool

Timetool is a simple tool for interactively modifying the value of global time. Timetool is implemented in the AL language and is started directly from the ox interpreter.

ox --> (timetool)

Timetool.

Time can be modified in any of 3 ways using Timetool:

1. Using the keyboard, a value can be explicitly entered in the text field in the upper left corner of the window.
2. Using the mouse, the scroll bar can be dragged to modify time.
3. Using the "Stop", "Play", "-", and "+" buttons, time can be played continously over a frame range or stepped through a single frame at a time. The frame range is specified in the 2 text fields to the right of the play buttons. The option menu to the right of those text fields specifies the advance rate (e.g. "play on 1's or play on 2's").

When frames are played, the playback rate is not synchronized to real time. It simply plays back as quickly as the world model can be evaluated and displayed. For accurate playback, it is best to actually render the frames, store them in a movie format (e.g. QuickTime) and then play the movie using a video tool (e.g. xanim).

AL: The Animation Language is Copyright © 1992-2000, Stephen F. May