Timeline visualization style

The timeline is where users spend the most editing time. The visualization style is also the strongest positioning signal — dense pro-tool vs creator-friendly. Pick the v1 default. The other can become a "Timeline density" preference later.

A

Pro density (DaVinci / Premiere)

Dense rows, small track headers, audio waveforms always on, frame thumbnails sample every ~100px. Sub-frame ruler at zoom > 4×. Lots of info per pixel.

0:00 ┊ 0:05 ┊ 0:10 ┊ 0:15 ┊ 0:20 ┊ 0:25 ┊ 0:30 ┊ 0:35 ┊ 0:40 ┊ 0:45
V2 fx
V1 main
A1 music
A2 vo
T1 cap

Pros: serious editors feel at home; high info density; matches Resolve/Premiere muscle memory. Cons: intimidating for new users; small touch targets; needs precise pointer control.

B

Creator-friendly density (CapCut / DaVinci Cut)

Larger track rows, big clip thumbnails with title overlay, waveforms only when expanded, fewer tracks visible at once. Friendlier, easier to manipulate.

0:00 · · · 0:10 · · · 0:20 · · · 0:30 · · · 0:40
▶ Video
clip-001.mp4 · 00:32
🎵 Audio
music.mp3
T Captions
3 captions · auto-generated

Pros: low intimidation; better on touchscreens/laptop trackpads; matches mobile editor mental model so existing OpenReel users transition easily. Cons: serious editors feel constrained; less info on screen; less efficient for long timelines.

C

Adaptive — A by default, B at low zoom, C at workspace switch

Single visualization that changes density based on zoom level: thumbnail-dominant when zoomed in (Option B feel), wave/density-dominant when zoomed out (Option A feel). Workspace switch can also force a profile (e.g., Color workspace = pro density).

Zoom: medium ┊ density auto
V2
V1
clip-001.mp4
A1
T1

Pros: defers the "pro vs creator" decision to user via zoom; one ruler/playhead/render path; v2 workspace switch can bias the density. Cons: a single mode that tries to please everyone often pleases no one if not tuned carefully; more visual rules to specify in the design system.