Docs Reference

Sub-track reference

Every sub-track a layer can show on the Timeline: what it animates, which layer types have it, and whether it supports a Loop Group.

Click a layer's disclosure triangle on the Timeline and its main row expands into sub-tracks: one row per animatable property, each with its own keyframes and its own easing. Which sub-tracks appear depends on the layer type: a Shape layer shows Vertices and Style, a Camera shows Depth of Field and Point of Interest, a bone layer shows one group per bone.

By default the Timeline only lists sub-tracks that already own a keyframe. Turn that filter off from the Timeline toolbar to see every sub-track a layer type is capable of, keyed or not. The filter reaches every animatable row, bone channels and the bone group itself included; only the structural rows are exempt, meaning the layer's own row, the cell strip, Symbol Playback and the group markers.

Transform and per-layer sub-tracks

Timeline nameWhat it animatesShown onLoop Group
VerticesThe full Bezier path: points, the closed flag, and any extra contours (holes)Shape layers, and a Drawing layer's active cellYes
PositionX/Y position, plus the motion-path handles you drag in the viewport (Position Z is stored but not rendered)Any layer except a boneYes
RotationZ rotation (roll), in degreesAny layer except a boneYes
ScaleX/Y scaleAny layer except a boneYes
AnchorThe anchor point the layer transforms aroundAny layer except a boneYes
OpacityLayer opacityAny layer except a boneYes
Rotation X (tilt)3D X tilt, independent of the Z rotation aboveAny layer except a boneNo
Rotation Y (pan)3D Y tiltAny layer except a boneNo
BlendThe blend radius of a liquid or boolean groupGroup layersYes
MeshPer-vertex mesh deform, in the mesh's own local spaceMesh layersNo
Z-OrderA relative draw-order hop among sibling layersAny layer with layer ordering turned onNo
Switch: (child name)Which child layer is the active variantSwitch layers and variant parentsYes
ZoomHow far the camera is zoomed in, 0.1 to 10Camera only, inside the Transform groupNo
Depth of FieldCamera depth-of-field blur strengthCamera only, inside the Transform groupNo
Point of InterestThe camera's track point, a 3D positionCamera only, inside the Transform groupNo
Vertices and Style read and write the active cell on a Drawing layer, not the layer itself: switch cells and you are keying a different set of vertices.

Style, effects, Follow Path and bones

A few properties do not get a single fixed sub-track. Instead the Timeline groups them under a disclosure header, with one leaf row per parameter.

GroupLeaf rowsShown on
StyleFill, Stroke, Expose and Dash, one row each. Stroke width rides with Stroke, the two write-on percentages with ExposeShape layers, and the active cell of a Drawing layer
Follow PathThe parameters of the Follow Path constraintAny layer with a Follow Path target set
Layer EffectsOne sub-group per enabled effect, then one row per animatable parameter of that effectAny layer with Layer Effects applied
A bone's own group, named after the boneAngle, Stretch and Position, one row each, then the bone's Inverse Kinematics, Angle Dynamics, Position Dynamics and Scale Dynamics parameter groupsBone layers, one group per bone

A bone's three channels are separate rows, not one merged diamond: Add Keyframe on a row keys that channel alone, while the same command on the bone's group header keys the whole pose at once. On a stretched child bone the Position row is inactive, because its origin is derived from the parent chain; the row is dimmed and takes no new keys, though keys already on it still show and can be deleted.

The three Dynamics groups hold spring parameters, not the channels above them. They are named Angle Dynamics, Position Dynamics and Scale Dynamics so they cannot be mistaken for the Angle, Stretch and Position rows.

The leaf rows of these groups do take a Loop Group: a Style parameter, a Layer Effects parameter, a Follow Path parameter and a bone parameter can each carry one, exactly as the fixed sub-tracks above can. What cannot is a bone's own Angle, Stretch and Position rows, along with Mesh, Z-Order and the camera channels, because nothing remaps those.

The Timeline with a Shape layer expanded, showing the Transform group open with Position, Rotation and Scale diamonds.

Loop Group vs. Pre/Post Behaviour

Loop Group is a per-sub-track cycle: right-click a sub-track with two or more keyframes selected and choose Loop Group, then Loop, Ping Pong or Hold. The keyed span repeats forward from its last keyframe for as long as the layer is on screen.

This is a different feature from a layer's Pre-Behaviour and Post-Behaviour, which apply to the whole layer outside its keyed range, not to one sub-track. A layer can have both at once, and they do not interact: a Loop Group keeps cycling on its own sub-track regardless of what Pre/Post Behaviour is set to.

A sub-track with a Loop Group applied, showing the accent-coloured cycle bar continuing past the last keyframe.