Gestures and interactions
We have worked hard to ensure Aeon Timeline feels smooth and natural to use, so you will hopefully find all of the main functionality easily discoverable using standard iPad gestures.
But in case you are finding anything difficult to find, here is a full list of the gestures and interactions that Aeon Timeline supports.
Timeline View
1
Swipe on timeline: to scroll the timeline in any direction.
When you reach the edge of your existing timeline (i.e. the first or last event), the timeline will bounce and hold its position. This helps you navigate to either edge of the timeline without inadvertently going too far.
If you do want to scroll further (e.g. to look at future dates or add a new event outside the existing bounds), simply swipe again in the same direction after the bounce has completed.
2
Pinch on timeline: to zoom (change the time scale of) the timeline. You can change the minimum and maximum allowed zoom limits via Timeline Settings.
Please note that you cannot zoom while the timeline is scrolling. When scrolling, tap on the screen to stop the scroll before attempting to zoom.
3
Press and hold: enters Edit Mode.
Edit mode allows you to select multiple events at the same time (e.g. for deleting, or bulk edits), and also allows you to drag events to a new date.
4
Tap on event: select an event. In edit mode, tapping on a selected event will unselect it.
5
Drag selected event: (When in edit mode) drag an already selected event (or multiple events) to a new date. A callout in the middle of the screen will tell you how far you are moving the event, and its new start date.
Relationship View
1
Swipe: scroll the list of events up or down, or scroll the entity columns left and right.
For usability, a swipe will only register in a single direction at once (i.e. it will not scroll vertically and horizontally at the same time).
2
Press and hold: as with Timeline View, enters Edit Mode.
3
Tap on event: as with Timeline View, selects an event. In edit mode, tapping on a selected event will unselect it.
4
Tap on intersection: Tapping on the intersection between an event and entity shows a popover that allows you to create or remove a relationship between those items.
Inspector
1
Swipe up/down: scrolls the inspector up or down.
2
Tap: edits the selected field. Depending on the field, this may either allow inline editing (in the case of a text field), or show a popover to edit the value.
Entity list
1
Swipe up/down: scrolls the list up or down.
2
Tap name: In standard mode, changes the main view to show only events belonging to that group.
In list edit mode, opens the Entity modal to edit the entity.
3
Drag via handles: In list edit mode, move the event to a new position in the list.
4
Tap selection checkbox: In list edit mode, selects that item (e.g. to select for deleting).
Calendar picker
1
Tap start or end date: selects which date you wish to edit.
2
Tap year: replace calendar section with table that allows you to quickly jump to a year.
3
Press and hold year: allows you to type a year directly to jump long distances.
4
Tap era: replace calendar section with table that allows you to jump to a new era.
5
Tap month: replace calendar section with table that allows you to quickly jump to a month.
6
Tap day (calendar): select this date, replacing the previous value of start/end (depending on which is being edited)
7
Swipe calendar: move forward or backwards by a month
8
Swipe table (e.g. year table): scroll forward or backward to next set of options
9
Relative calendars: If you are using a relative calendar (e.g. Week 1, Week 2 or Day 1, Day 2), the gestures will behave similarly to those described above. Tap a value to choose from a range of options. Press and hold to be able to type the value directly.
Note that changes to year or month when precision is day or time is a navigation step only. The selected date will not be changed until you tap on an actual date value.
Other modals/popovers
Should behave similarly to the Inspector or Entity list descriptions above.
