The NESTED TIMELINE PANEL is used to set the timeline of a GRAPHIC SYMBOL so that it corresponds with the main timeline of your movie. This is especially useful when building dialog and creating action with symbol instance animation. To learn more about this process see the "Using Symbols Tutorial" through the link above.
Buttons at the bottom of the NT panel provide a quick way to navigate into the corresponding frame on the symbol's timeline. "edit this frame" will take you from the parent timeline to the equivalent sync point inside the symbol. If the symbol timeline is not long enough, the sync frame is selected giving you a reference for extending the timeline to the correct length. After you exit the symbol "edit to frame__" will take you back to the last selected frame inside the symbol.
Select a graphic symbol and drag your mouse across the numbered blue area. Move the scale by dragging across the thin blue area below. For long timelines accelerate the scale by moving the puck above. You can also enter a number in the box on the top left and press the adjacent set button. Default looping mode is SINGLE FRAME which you can change with the buttons at the top right.
Although the NT panel can be used to scrub the symbol timeline, rememer that the symbol will be set to 'single frame', 'play once', or 'loop' from the point at which you stop. This is invaluable for setting dialog and elements of animation. Another way to use this panel is to set looping animation by using the inching buttons. If the looping mode is set to loop and you select the last frame in the span of animation you can determine the final frame position by inching the cycle until the final phase of the action falls where you want (like if you want to end on the right foot down in order to hook up to a new action).
To install Flash extensions you need the EXTENSION MANAGER which is a free download from adobe.com
The NT panel downloads as a zip file which you can open with STUFFIT. After unzipping you will have an mxp installation file. Double click on this to open the EXTENSION MANAGER and follow the prompts to install it.
Flash must be restarted before the panel can be used. From the top toolbar under WINDOW navigate down to OTHER PANELS and select your NT Panel extension from the menu.
