Help & Documentation

Everything you need to know about Animation X-Sheet

Overview

Animation X-Sheet is a comprehensive web-based tool designed for creating professional animation timing sheets (also known as exposure sheets or x-sheets). It combines traditional timing sheet functionality with modern digital features including audio synchronization, drawing tools, and professional export capabilities.

System Requirements

Browser Support

Animation X-Sheet works best with modern web browsers that support the latest web standards:

  • Recommended: Google Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+
  • Minimum: Any browser with ES6 support and Web Audio API
  • File System Access: Chrome/Edge 86+ for advanced project management features

Hardware Requirements

  • RAM: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended for large projects
  • Storage: 100MB for the application, additional space for projects
  • Input Devices: Mouse, trackpad, or drawing tablet/stylus
  • Audio: Speakers or headphones for audio playback

Platform Support

  • Desktop: Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+)
  • Mobile: iOS 14+, Android 10+ (limited functionality)
  • Tablets: Full support on iPad Pro with Apple Pencil

Features

Project Management

  • Folder Structure: Automatic organization of scenes, audio, and exports
  • Version Control: Auto-versioning to prevent data loss
  • File Association: Automatic loading of related audio files
  • Cross-Platform: Works on any operating system with a modern browser

Audio Features

  • Format Support: MP3, WAV, OGG, M4A, AAC, FLAC
  • Waveform Visualization: Real-time visual representation
  • Scrubbing: Precise audio positioning and playback
  • Synchronization: Frame-accurate timing alignment
  • Auto-Duration: Automatic frame count adjustment

Drawing Tools

  • Pen Tool: Freehand drawing with pressure sensitivity
  • Shape Tools: Lines, rectangles, and ellipses
  • Eraser: Selective removal of drawing elements
  • Stylus Support: Full pen tablet compatibility
  • Layer System: Non-destructive drawing overlay

Customization

  • Column Renaming: Customize column headers for your workflow
  • Frame Rate Settings: Support for any frame rate
  • Color Options: Full color picker for drawing tools
  • Line Weights: Multiple thickness options

Export Options

  • PDF Export: High-quality professional output
  • Multi-Page Support: Automatic pagination for long animations
  • Vector Graphics: Scalable drawings in exports
  • Metadata Inclusion: Project information embedded

File Formats

Project Files

  • Scene Files: JSON format (.json) for timing sheet data
  • Human Readable: Text-based format for easy inspection
  • Version Control Friendly: Works well with Git and other VCS
  • Cross-Platform: Identical files work on any system

Audio Formats

  • MP3: Universal compatibility, good compression
  • WAV: Uncompressed, best quality
  • OGG: Open source, good compression
  • M4A/AAC: Apple/modern standard
  • FLAC: Lossless compression

Export Formats

  • PDF: Professional printing and sharing
  • JSON: Scene data backup and transfer

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Tab: Move to next editable cell
  • Shift + Tab: Move to previous editable cell
  • Enter: Move to cell below
  • Escape: Exit cell editing mode

Audio Controls

  • Spacebar: Play/Pause audio (when not editing)
  • Home: Jump to beginning
  • End: Jump to end

Drawing Shortcuts

  • S: Select tool
  • P: Pen tool
  • L: Line tool
  • R: Rectangle tool
  • E: Eraser tool

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Is Animation X-Sheet free to use?

Yes! Animation X-Sheet is completely free and open-source. You can use it for personal projects, commercial work, or educational purposes without any licensing fees.

Do I need to install anything?

No installation required! Just download the files and open index.html in your web browser. The tool runs entirely in your browser for maximum compatibility.

Can I use this offline?

Yes, once downloaded, Animation X-Sheet works completely offline. No internet connection is required for any features.

Is my data secure?

Absolutely. All your data stays on your computer. Nothing is uploaded to any servers. Your projects, audio files, and timing sheets remain completely private.

Technical Questions

Why isn't the project folder feature working?

The advanced project management features require the File System Access API, which is currently supported in Chrome and Edge 86+. In other browsers, you can still save/load individual files using the traditional file dialogs.

Can I import video files?

Currently, only audio files are supported. If you need to work with video, extract the audio track first using tools like VLC Media Player or online converters.

What's the maximum project size?

There's no hard limit, but performance depends on your browser and computer. Very long animations (10,000+ frames) or large audio files (>100MB) may cause slower performance.

Can I collaborate with team members?

Yes! Since project files are JSON-based, they work great with version control systems like Git. You can also share project folders through cloud storage services.

Feature Questions

How do I add more columns?

The tool includes three "Extra" columns that you can rename for your needs. Right-click on any column header with a pencil icon to customize its name.

Can I change the frame rate after starting?

Yes, you can change the FPS setting at any time. This will affect how the audio timing aligns with your frames, so you may need to adjust your timing accordingly.

How do I remove drawings?

Use the eraser tool to selectively remove parts of your drawings, or click the trash icon in the drawing toolbar to clear all drawings (with confirmation).

Can I undo drawing actions?

Currently, there's no undo for drawing actions. Use the eraser tool for selective removal, or save your work frequently to create manual restore points.

Troubleshooting

Audio Problems

Audio file won't load

Solutions:

  • Check that your audio file is in a supported format (MP3, WAV, OGG, M4A, AAC, FLAC)
  • Try a different audio file to test if the issue is file-specific
  • Ensure your browser allows audio playback (check for any mute icons in the browser tab)
  • Try refreshing the page and importing again

No audio playback

Solutions:

  • Check your system volume and browser audio settings
  • Try clicking directly on the page before attempting playback (browsers require user interaction for audio)
  • Test with a different browser
  • Disable browser extensions that might block audio

Waveform not displaying

Solutions:

  • Wait a moment for the waveform to process (large files take longer)
  • Check that the audio file actually loaded successfully
  • Try with a smaller audio file to test
  • Refresh the page and try again

Performance Problems

Slow drawing or lag

Solutions:

  • Clear unnecessary drawings using the trash icon
  • Reduce line width in drawing tools
  • Close other browser tabs to free up memory
  • Try using a different browser (Chrome generally performs best)
  • Restart your browser to clear memory

Browser freezing

Solutions:

  • Reduce the number of frames in very long projects
  • Break large projects into smaller scenes
  • Use smaller audio files when possible
  • Increase available RAM by closing other applications

File Problems

Can't save files

Solutions:

  • Make sure you have write permissions to the target folder
  • Try saving to a different location (like Desktop or Documents)
  • Check available disk space
  • Disable any antivirus software temporarily to test
  • Try using the fallback save method if project folders aren't working

Project folder features not working

Solutions:

  • Use Chrome or Edge 86+ for full project folder support
  • Enable any required browser permissions
  • Fall back to manual file save/load if needed
  • Check that the File System Access API is supported in your browser

Exported PDF issues

Solutions:

  • Clear browser cache and try again
  • Reduce project complexity (fewer drawings, shorter timeline)
  • Try exporting in smaller sections
  • Update your browser to the latest version
  • Check available memory and close other applications

Display Problems

Layout looks broken

Solutions:

  • Refresh the page
  • Clear browser cache and cookies
  • Try zooming to 100% (Ctrl+0 or Cmd+0)
  • Disable browser extensions
  • Try a different browser

Text too small or large

Solutions:

  • Use browser zoom controls (Ctrl/Cmd + or -)
  • Check your system's display scaling settings
  • Try a different browser

Best Practices

Workflow Optimization

  • Set up projects first: Create project folders before starting work for better organization
  • Import audio early: Load your audio track before detailed timing work
  • Save frequently: Use the save feature often to prevent data loss
  • Use meaningful names: Name your scene files descriptively
  • Break up long projects: Split very long animations into multiple scenes

Collaboration Tips

  • Version control: Use Git or similar systems for team projects
  • Naming conventions: Establish consistent file naming standards
  • Shared standards: Agree on frame rates and timing approaches
  • Regular exports: Create PDF exports for review and approval

Performance Tips

  • Optimize audio: Use compressed formats like MP3 for better performance
  • Limit drawings: Avoid excessive drawing detail for better responsiveness
  • Regular cleanup: Clear unnecessary drawings periodically
  • Modern browsers: Use the latest browser versions for best performance

Getting Additional Help

Community Support

Contributing

  • Source Code: View and contribute to the code
  • Bug Reports: Help improve the tool by reporting issues
  • Feature Requests: Suggest new features for future development
  • Documentation: Help improve this documentation

License and Legal

Animation X-Sheet is released under the MIT License, which means:

  • Free to use: For personal, educational, and commercial projects
  • Open source: You can view, modify, and distribute the code
  • No warranty: Use at your own risk (though we do our best to make it reliable)
  • Attribution appreciated: Not required, but credit is always welcome

For the complete license text, see the LICENSE file in the project repository.