An animation sequence (but not a musical sequence) can contain loops. When the Show Player or the Sequencer plays a sequence with loops, when the end of a loop is reached, the sequence will go back to the beginning of the loop. This will happen a certain number of times (which you specify), after which the sequence will continue on past the end of the loop.
Each time through a loop, you can have the sequence speed up, slow down, or remain at the same speed.
A sequence can contain many loops. Loops can be nested - that is, a loop can contain other loops.
Loop rows are shown with a white background are fixed to the top of the sequence grid. They do not scroll away when the rest of the sequence is scrolled vertically.
For example, the following picture shows a sequence with a loop starting at 1 second and ending at 2 seconds. The number of times the loop will repeat is shown in the middle of loop (1 in this case). If the loop were to speed up after each pass, then the repeat count would be followed by a "+" symbol. If the loop were to slow down after each pass, then the repeat count would be followed by a "-" symbol. In this case the loop speed is set to stay the same, so no symbol is displayed.
A sequence with a loop starting at 1 second and ending at 2 seconds
More than one loop can be in a sequence. For example, here is the same sequence, with a second loop added, from 2.5 seconds to 3 seconds:
Two loops in a sequence
Subjects covered in this topic:
•Right-Clicking on the Loop Name
Adding a Loop Row
Loops can contain loops; this is represented by having multiple rows of loops. For example, in the following picture, a second loop level has been added, and a loop was put into it from 0.5 seconds to 3 seconds, thus containing both of the loops of the lowest loop level.
A loop containing loops
To create a loop row, select "Loop Level" from the "Add New" menu present on both the Sequence menu and the Grid View menu. You can also right-click on the name of an existing loop to add additional levels. The bottom loop level in a sequence is always labeled "Loop 1"; the one immediately higher than that is labeled "Loop 2", and so on.
Adding A Loop
To add a loop to a loop row, select the desired time range on the row, then either right-click and select "Insert Loop" or use the "shift-A" shortcut key.
The Loop Context menu
You will then be prompted for how many times the loop should loop back and whether (and by how much) it should increase, decrease, or remain the same speed in each pass through the loop:
Loop Effect dialog
Modifying a Loop
To modify a loop, just double-click on it -- the Loop Effect dialog will open, allowing you to make changes.
Deleting a Loop
To delete a loop, select it, then either right-click on the selection and choose "Clear" from the pop-up menu, or use the "Delete" shortcut key.
Right-Clicking on the Loop Name
Menu when right-cliicking on a loop name
Right-clicking on a loop name, such as clicking on "Loop 2" in the picture above, opens the Loop Context menu.
Add Loop Level Above
This item on the Loop Context menu can be used to add another loop level to the sequence, above the selected loop level. Loops on the new (higher) level can contain loops within the preexisting (lower) level.
Add Loop Level Below
This item on the Loop Context menu can be used to add another loop level to the sequence, below the selected loop level. Loops on the preexisting (higher) level can contain loops within the new (lower) level.
Remove Loop Level
This item on the Loop Context menu can be used to delete the entire selected loop level, including all loops on it.
If you wish to delete all of the loops on a level, but to keep the level itself, use Remove All Loops on Level instead.
Remove All Loops on Level
This item on the Loop Context menu can be used to delete all of the loops on the selected loop level, but to keep the loop level itself.
If you wish to additionally delete the loop level itself, use Remove Loop Level instead.