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Time Tree

by iwHiteRabbiT·Workflow

Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.

Why we like it

Time Tree stands out in the Blender workflow space for treating shots as linked nodes rather than clips on a timeline, with speed, duration and sound controls built into each shot node.

What is Time Tree?

Time Tree is a Blender addon that adds a node-based approach to shot sequences, replacing the common linear timeline with a non-linear time tree. It aims to speed up the iterative process of finding the best timing and sequence, whether the work is a storyboard, a montage or something similar.

Each node stands for a camera shot with its own settings: start frame, end frame (which can run backward), final duration or speed, scene, and camera. Previous and next sockets link one shot to another. From each shot node comes a new scene named after that shot, allowing unique composition, and any timeline range of the same scene can be used and reused.

You can change speed and duration to create slow motion, fast motion, reverse or better timing, and work on alternative sequences in a non-destructive way. Sound stays synchronized, and everything exports automatically to the VSE. Documentation is available, and the addon is tested and approved on Blender 4.

Who is Time Tree best for?

Time Tree is best for blender artists building storyboards, montages or shot sequences who want a node-based alternative to the linear timeline.

How much does Time Tree cost?

Time Tree is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Node-based shot sequencing that replaces the common linear timeline
  • Each shot node sets start frame and end frame, which can run backward
  • Choose any scene and camera per shot, with previous and next sockets linking shots together
  • Change speed and duration for slow motion, fast motion, reverse or better timing
  • Reuse any timeline range of the same scene and work on alternative sequences non-destructively
  • Keeps sound synchronized and exports everything automatically to the VSE
  • Each shot node generates a new scene named after the shot for unique composition

Tags

#workflow#vse#nodes#sequencer#timeline#storyboard#montage

Frequently asked questions

What Blender versions does Time Tree support?

Time Tree lists compatibility with a broad range of Blender releases: 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1, 3.0 and 2.93. The developer notes it as tested and approved on Blender 4, so recent 4.x users are covered alongside older 3.x and 2.93 setups. If you run one of these versions, the addon is listed as compatible. For the current build and any details beyond this range, check the developer's page directly.

Does Time Tree work with the VSE?

Time Tree exports everything automatically to the VSE, Blender's Video Sequence Editor. Its node-based shots build sequences outside the common linear timeline, and the addon sends the result into the VSE for you. Each shot node also generates a new scene named after that shot, so unique compositions carry through. Sound stays synchronized as part of this workflow. A demo video is available for a look at the addon in use.

Is Time Tree free to use?

Time Tree is listed as free in this catalog, and it is released under the GPL license. For current licensing terms and any purchasing options, check the developer's page directly, since those details can change. On the functional side, Time Tree provides node-based shot sequencing in Blender, letting you set scene, camera, frame range, duration and speed for each shot and export the result to the VSE.

Can Time Tree play shots in reverse or change their speed?

Time Tree lets each shot node change speed and duration to create slow motion, fast motion, reverse or better timing. The start and end frames can also run backward. You can reuse any timeline range of the same scene and work on alternative sequences in a non-destructive way, so experimenting with timing does not overwrite your original arrangement. Sound stays synchronized throughout these changes, and each shot can pull from its own scene and camera.

Alternatives to Time Tree

Also in Workflow for Blender.

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