---
description: Designate a time range to work in and optionally loop
---

# Work Area

The entire duration of Timeflow may be optionally looped, or a specific region of time may be set using the Work Area. The work area can be used both for editing purposes and at runtime for dynamically controlling playback and looping regions of time.

<figure><img src="https://2067910529-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FC3dOuetlQfYgK5FPUKgn%2Fuploads%2FsBCMiwDVYL2Uzl2xSuUp%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=42d05603-5803-4ccb-a817-f6b3e94c0c81" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
If looping is enabled in the Time section, the work area will loop when active.
{% endhint %}

## Enable Work Area

Toggles the work area on and off.&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
Use the keyboard shortcut **W** to toggle the Work Area.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
Use the keyboard shortcut **Shift + W** to set the Work Area to the currently selected tracks and keyframes.
{% endhint %}

## Disable On Start

When the work area is being used for editing operations, it can interfere with playback if left on in the editor. To prevent this, enable this option to immediately turn the work area off when play mode starts. This may be turned off you wish to keep the work area active in play mode.

## Lock Work Area

If enabled, the work area settings remains locked and cannot be modified. Use this to prevent changes to the range once set. Refer to the [Work Area](../timeflow-view/toolbar/work-area) documentation for further information.

<figure><img src="https://2067910529-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FC3dOuetlQfYgK5FPUKgn%2Fuploads%2FGrxcmFOBdqoxk5WV3jI3%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e4baa7d3-ceb6-423f-9c0d-cca940eee552" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
In the Timeflow view, hold the Alt key when clicking the Work Area button to toggle the locked state.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
When the Work Area is locked, it can still be toggled on and off, but the ranges cannot be

changed directly.
{% endhint %}

## Work Area Start/End

This sets the time the work area begins and ends.&#x20;

## Allow Lead-In

Enable this to allow playback to start before the work area. This makes it possible to set a loop region in the future without interrupting the current playback. Once the playhead enters the work area, it loops that area as long as looping is enabled. Otherwise, disable this option to keep the current time within the work area.

## Play Past End

When enabled, playback continues uninterrupted past the end of the Work Area. Otherwise if this option is off, playback will stop when it reaches the end.

{% hint style="info" %}
This option is only available when looping is off.&#x20;
{% endhint %}
