Trying to Create Flicker Effect — How Do I See Previous Layers?

Forum|Forum|9 months ago
June 14, 2025
3 replies
564 views

I've been making a timeline using the max of 500 layers.

I want to make a flickering light effect by duplicating a previous layer and adding a bit more onto it.

Because I can't see the previous layer (not sure how onion skinning works here) I'm having to guess/approximate what the previous layer looked like which makes it appear a little jerky.

Is it possible to onion skin the previous layer where I can then draw directly onto each individual layer?

macOS

Correct answer marcr64811851

Yes it is a video timeline.

It appears to be a Frame Animation, not a Timeline Animation.

As a work-around you could show the »previous« Layer and set the »current« Layer to 50% Fill.

That could be automated and triggered with a shortcut.

Thank you for this, with a bit of play, I think this method may work with what I'm trying to achieve. Always appreciate the help.

CMass

Legend

@marcr64811851 Let us know if you still need help! 🙂 @c.pfaffenbichler and @Trevor.Dennis have asked a few clarifying questions to better understand your situation. Looking forward to your reply! ^CM

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

Could you please post screenshots taken at View > 100% with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Timeline, Options Bar, …) visible?

Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

It sounds like this is a Video timeline?

[EDIT] as opposed to a Frame Animation.

M

marcr64811851Author

Inspiring

Yes it is a video timeline. I'm wanting to make digital smudges that have a continuous 'look'. At the moment, I'm having to guess the previous layer which is OK but it would be good to have the option to see the previous layer.