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Timeline Scrub On Viewport

by za studio·Workflow

Images © za studio. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Stands out in the superhive library for keeping keyframe scrubbing inside the viewport, which suits animators who prefer working on a single screen.

What is Timeline Scrub On Viewport?

Timeline Scrub On Viewport is a Blender add-on from za studio that puts a Viewport Keyframe HUD on screen, displaying animation keyframes as a horizontal bar directly in the viewport while you scrub the timeline. Context-aware filtering controls what the bar shows: selected objects only by default, selected bones in Pose Mode for rig work, the active animation layer only, or an optional global mode that includes all keys and NLA.

The HUD is designed to be non-intrusive, with adjustable opacity, spacing, and visibility so it fits different workflows. It works with animation layers and NLA-based pipelines, surfacing only the relevant keys instead of a full timeline, and keeps animators looking at timing, spacing, and motion in the viewport. It's compatible with Blender 3.6 through 5.x, including Blender 5.0+ Action Slots, and remains backward-compatible with Blender 4.5.

A separate version 2, Time Scrub and Sound Visualizer, extends the add-on with audio waveform visualization aligned to frames, support for VSE Sound Strips and Speaker audio, audio scrubbing with Sync to Audio, HUD presets, marker and keyframe management, and six spectrum form options.

Who is Timeline Scrub On Viewport best for?

Timeline Scrub On Viewport is best for professional animators who work on a single screen and want keyframe scrubbing without switching to a separate timeline editor.

How much does Timeline Scrub On Viewport cost?

Timeline Scrub On Viewport is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Viewport Keyframe HUD that displays keyframes as a horizontal bar during timeline scrubbing
  • Context-aware filtering: selected objects only, selected bones in Pose Mode, active animation layer only, or an optional global mode including NLA
  • Non-intrusive HUD with adjustable opacity, spacing, and visibility options
  • Works with animation layers and NLA-based pipelines, showing only relevant keys
  • Compatible with Blender 3.6 through 5.x, including Blender 5.0+ Action Slots and backward-compatible with Blender 4.5
  • Version 2 adds audio waveform visualization aligned to frames, VSE Sound Strips and Speaker audio support, HUD presets, and marker management

Tags

#Blender#animation#keyframes#viewport HUD#timeline scrubbing#NLA#audio waveform#za studio

Frequently asked questions

What Blender versions does Timeline Scrub On Viewport support?

Timeline Scrub On Viewport supports Blender 3.6 through 5.x, and on superhive it's listed for Blender 3.6 to 5.1 as an add-on extension. It's fully compatible with Blender 5.0+ Action Slots and modern animation data structures, while remaining backward-compatible with Blender 4.5. If you move between older and newer Blender releases, the add-on covers a wide range, so you can keep it installed as you switch versions. Check the developer's page for the latest compatibility details before installing.

Does Timeline Scrub On Viewport work with NLA and animation layers?

Timeline Scrub On Viewport works with animation layers and NLA-based pipelines, showing only the relevant keys instead of a cluttered timeline. Its context-aware filtering can limit the HUD to selected objects, to selected bones in Pose Mode for rig work, or to the active animation layer only. An optional global mode displays all keys, including NLA, when you need the full picture. This lets you match what the viewport HUD shows to the part of the animation you're focused on at the moment.

Is Timeline Scrub On Viewport free?

Timeline Scrub On Viewport is listed as free in this catalog. The add-on is released under the GPL license and is available as a Blender extension from za studio on superhive. Licensing and any pricing options can change over time, so check the developer's page for the current terms before you download. If you want the audio features, note they belong to the version 2 release, Time Scrub and Sound Visualizer, which is offered as a separate product on the same store.

Does Timeline Scrub On Viewport support audio scrubbing?

Timeline Scrub On Viewport's version 2 release, Time Scrub and Sound Visualizer, adds audio waveform visualization aligned to frames, with support for VSE Sound Strips and Speaker audio. It includes audio scrubbing with Sync to Audio, adjustable waveform color, opacity, height, and offset, and six spectrum form options. Version 2 also brings HUD presets you can create and save, marker management on the HUD, keyframe management, adjustable drag speed, and a cache system. The base version focuses on viewport keyframe scrubbing without the audio features.

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