# Play Controls

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/68QnqIKiIBQ>" %}

Use the buttons on the left side of the toolbar to control playback.

<figure><img src="https://2067910529-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FC3dOuetlQfYgK5FPUKgn%2Fuploads%2FCHAmjoGZVmxginiZO4XP%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ab558182-c1de-4ece-8602-c33a59c0b9f1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## First Frame

This moves the playhead back to the start time or to the start of the [Work Area](https://axongenesis.gitbook.io/timeflow/user-guide/timeflow-view/toolbar/work-areas) (if active).

{% hint style="success" %}
Hold the **Alt** key to ignore the work area and restart from the beginning. The keyboard shortcut **Home** can also be used to perform the same action.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Frame numbers are based on the [FPS ](https://axongenesis.gitbook.io/timeflow/timeflow-editor/time#fps)setting in Timeflow.
{% endhint %}

## Previous Frame

Steps back 1 frame in time.&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
Use the keyboard shortcut **PageUp** to go to the previous frame.&#x20;

Press **Alt + PageUp** to go to the previous marker.

Press **Control + PageUp** to go back in time 1 snap increment.

Press **Shift + PageUp** to go to the previous keyframe displayed (from the current time).
{% endhint %}

## Play Reverse

Press this button to play time backwards.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
Playing in reverse is intended only for previewing and editing animations. Certain procedural motions such as Follow that rely on forward playing time for simulation cannot perform the same in reverse as when playing forward.
{% endhint %}

## Play

Press to start and stop playback.&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
Use the keyboard shortcut **Spacebar** to start and stop playback, while the Timeflow view has keyboard focus.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
**Continuous Play Mode**

Hold the **Shift** key when pressing Play to engage Continuous Play. This causes Timeflow to continue playing uninterrupted when making changes in the scene. When used with the work area this can be helpful to iterate on a specific section and see changes to animation in real time. Playback will continue until stopped.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
**Enter Play Mode**

Use the keyboard shortcut **Control + Spacebar** to enter Unity's Play Mode.
{% endhint %}

## Next Frame

Steps forward 1 frame.

{% hint style="success" %}
Use the keyboard shortcut **PageDown** to go to the next frame.&#x20;

Press **Alt + PageDown** to go to the next marker.

Press **Control + PageDown** to go to the next grid snap point.

Press **Shift + PageDown** to go to the next keyframe displayed (from the current time).
{% endhint %}

## Last Frame

Goes to the end of the timeline or the end of the Work Area if active.

{% hint style="success" %}
Hold the **Alt** key to ignore the work area and go to the end of the timeline. The keyboard shortcut **End** can also be used to perform the same action.
{% endhint %}

## ![](https://2067910529-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FC3dOuetlQfYgK5FPUKgn%2Fuploads%2FaQMWUr3MAedol2IPFTra%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=9e719fb2-20f4-4778-9895-66f042ad4df5) Looping

This enables playback to restart when it reaches the end. Looping uses the [Work Area](https://axongenesis.gitbook.io/timeflow/user-guide/timeflow-view/toolbar/work-areas) if enabled, or otherwise loops the full duration of Timeflow.&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
Use the keyboard shortcut **L** to toggle looping on and off. Toggling loop has no effect on the work area.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
Use the keyboard shortcut **Control + L** to enable looping and set the work area to the current selection of keyframes and tracks.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
Use the keyboard shortcuts **B** and **N** to set the work area in and out points to the current time of the playhead. This also toggles the work area on if it was not already active.
{% endhint %}