Add Official Timeline / Animation API Support to Photoshop UXP
Photoshop’s Timeline has significant potential as a lightweight animation and compositing environment.
Many professionals use it for:
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Frame-based animation
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Asset preparation for video editing
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Hybrid pipelines (Premiere / FCP / After Effects)
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Game and motion asset production
However, Timeline development appears stagnant, and UXP currently does not provide sufficient API access to support serious animation workflows.
Ideally, we would like to see Timeline itself strengthened and modernized.
But even before that, we urgently need official Timeline / Animation API support in UXP.
Why this matters
Photoshop is transitioning toward UXP-only extensibility.
However, UXP currently cannot replace JSX for Timeline automation.
Missing capabilities include:
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Reliable playhead control
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Frame-accurate timing control
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Document duration access
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Frame rate access
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Stable batch frame adjustment
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Exposure of Timeline menu commands
This creates a serious migration blocker.
Studios and independent creators who rely on Timeline automation cannot fully migrate to UXP-based tooling.
Without Timeline API access, UXP cannot support professional animation workflows.
If Timeline is to remain part of Photoshop’s future, it needs:
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Strengthening as a feature
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Official UXP-level API support
Even minimal API access would immediately unlock professional-grade animation tooling.
Is Timeline development still active?
Is Timeline API support planned for UXP?
Clarification on the roadmap would be greatly appreciated.
Photoshop is an extraordinary tool, and its Timeline companion has unique creative potential.
Many of us genuinely love working with it — we simply want to see it grow, not fade.
Thank you.
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