Timeline infographics can be an integral design piece of an editorial design or corporate brochure displaying key facts and figures. But adding interactive elements can make an already visually appealing timeline graphic that much more stunning.
In this tutorial, learn how to create an interactive timeline with animation and pop-out windows in Adobe InDesign.
This lesson will cover many topics, including adding animation, using the timing panel as well as creating a button system with Show/Hide Buttons and Forms applied.
Let's start with setting up the Animation, which we'll have activated for on page load.
Animation
Open the Animation Panel by going to Window > Interactive > Animation.
With the Selection Tool, click on the first arrow and in the Animation panel, rename it to Arrow 1.
In the Preset options, choose Fly in from Left. Also, click on the green Animation indicator once and drag the left end point all the way to the left edge of the page so the animation comes in from a further distance.
Set the duration to play at 0.5 seconds.
Click on the corresponding year in the timeline and in the Animation panel, set the Preset to Fly in From Right.
Rename the Animation to Year 1.
Set the duration to play at 0.5 seconds.
Repeat steps 2 through 7 for the other five arrows and years in the timeline, only renaming them in order of how they appear in the timeline.
Click on the first Information Bubble and in the Animation panel, rename it to Information 1.
In the Preset options, choose Fly in from Right. Also, click on the green Animation indicator once and drag the right end point all the way to the right edge of the page so the animation comes in from a further distance.
Set the duration to play at 0.5 seconds.
Repeat steps 9 through 11 for the other five arrows and years in the timeline, only renaming them in order of how they appear in the timeline.
Great! You have set up the Animation for the timeline. Double check that everything works properly but viewing the work in the ePub Preview panel.
Now, let's move on and set up the timing so that the animation plays in the order you would like. In this case, from right to left.
Timing
Open the Timing Panel by going to Window > Interactive > Timing.
You will notice all the numbered Arrows (1-6) and Years (1-6) will be listed in the Timing panel.
Click on Arrow 1 and while holding the Command key (CTRL on Windows) click on Year 1.
In the bottom right hand corner of the Timing panel, select the Play Together icon.
Repeat steps 2-4 for the remaining Arrows and Years.
Finally, click and drag each group in order from 1 to 6. Do not at the Information animation in these timing group sets.
The animation component of this interactive layout is in the books. Not only did we set up the animation, but we've applied the timing to it so it plays in the order of your preference.
Follow along in the video and learn how to set up the button structures using the Show/Hide Button and Forms panel.
When all the steps have been completed, your animation and buttons should look like this:
