Time Slider

The Time Slider controls the playback range, keys, and breakdowns within the playback range.

The Current Time Indicator is a gray block on the Time Slider. You can drag it to move forward and backward in your animation.

By default, dragging in the Time Slider updates only the active view. All views can be set to update by changing the Playback settings to Update View All in the Time Slider preferences (Window > Settings/Preferences > Preferences).

Note: See Customize the Time Slider if you want to change the colors and opacity of elements in the Time Slider.

Key ticks

Key Ticks are red (by default) marks in the Time Slider that represent the keys you set for the selected object. Breakdowns are a special type of key displayed as green marks in the Time Slider. See Breakdowns.

The visibility of Key Ticks can be turned off or on in the Preferences window. You can also set the size and color of the key ticks displayed in the Time Slider. See Customize the Time Slider.

Time units

The ruler markings and associated numbers on the Time Slider display time. To define the playback rate, select the desired Time unit in the Settings preferences (Window > Settings/Preferences > Preferences). Maya defaults to measuring time as 24 frames per second, the standard frame rate for film.

Note: By default, Maya plays your animation in seconds. You can change the Time unit type without affecting your animation’s key-based behavior, but it's a good idea to specify the Time unit before you begin animating. However, expressions that use the frame variable might not work correctly if you change the Time setting.

Current time field

The entry field to the right of the Time Slider indicates the current time expressed in the current Time unit. You can change the current time by entering a new value. Your scene moves to that location in time, and the Current Time Indicator updates accordingly.