Select Window > Timeline to open the Timeline panel.
Last updated on
Oct 4, 2026
Learn how to use Timeline panel controls to review frame sequences and video content while editing and previewing animations in Adobe Photoshop.
Previewing your work helps you evaluate timing, check transitions, and ensure smooth playback before exporting. Photoshop provides playback controls and work-area tools for frame animations and timeline-based video content.
Frame animations display individual frames in sequence, while timeline animations cache frames in RAM for smoother playback. The work area defines which portion of the timeline is played during previews and exports.
Use the Timeline panel to preview frame and timeline animations. Switch between animation modes using the panel menu when needed.
Play frame animations
Verify that the Timeline panel displays individual frame thumbnails rather than layers with duration bars. If you see layers, select the mode menu and Convert to Frame Animation.
Select the Play button or press Spacebar to start playback.
Press Spacebar to pause, or select Stop to halt playback.
Select the Selects First Frame
to return to the first frame.
Set the work area for preview and export
Open the Timeline panel and locate the work area bar.
Drag either end of the work area bar to define the start and end points for preview or export.
Position the current-time indicator at the start point, then select Work Area > Set Start At Playhead.
Position the current-time indicator at the end point, then select Work Area > Set End At Playhead.
Caution
Selecting Trim Document Duration To Work Area permanently removes frames or timeline content outside the work area, and this action cannot be undone after saving.
Preview timeline animations and videos
Verify that the Timeline panel displays layers with duration bars rather than individual frame thumbnails. If needed, select the mode menu and Convert to Video Timeline.
Drag the current-time indicator to scrub through the animation.
Select Play or press Spacebar to begin playback.
The green bar indicates which frames Photoshop has cached in RAM for smoother playback.
Press Spacebar to pause playback.
The number of frames Photoshop can cache depends on available memory. Cached frames play more smoothly during subsequent previews.
Control audio preview for video layers
Select the speaker
icon for a video layer to toggle audio preview for that layer.
To turn audio preview on or off for the entire document, select the speaker
icon in the
Timeline
panel.
When audio preview is on, Photoshop includes the audio track when you export video files to QuickTime Movie format.
Allow frame skipping for real-time playback
Open the Timeline panel in timeline animation mode.
Select the panel menu icon, then select Allow Frame Skipping.
Frame skipping lets Photoshop skip uncached frames during playback to maintain real-time speed, helping you evaluate timing and motion before all frames are cached.
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