Proposal: Motion Graphics Mode and Layer-Based Animation Sequencer

Summary

Blender contains a powerful set of animation tools including the Dope Sheet, Graph Editor, NLA Editor, Grease Pencil, Shape Keys, and the Video Sequence Editor. However, these systems are distributed across separate editors and workflows.

This proposal suggests introducing a Motion Graphics Mode centered around a Layer-Based Animation Sequencer designed specifically for motion graphics and timeline-driven animation.

The goal is to provide a workflow similar to layer-based motion graphics tools while integrating Blender’s existing animation system.

The proposed sequencer would combine ideas from modern sequencing systems such as Adobe After Effects and Unreal Engine’s Unreal Sequencer, allowing users to animate scene elements using a unified layer timeline with property tracks.

PROPOSAL

Introduce a Motion Graphics Mode in Blender centered around a Layer-Based Motion Graphics Sequencer. This sequencer would function as a timeline interface where scene objects appear as layers, similar to motion graphics software.

The Motion Graphics Sequencer would operate as a layer stack timeline. Each object would function as a timeline layer. Inspired by Unreal Sequencer, each layer could contain expandable tracks for specific properties.

Examples include: Transform • Material parameters • Geometry Nodes inputs • Shape Keys • Camera parameters • Grease Pencil animation • Custom properties

This would allow artists to animate specific parameters directly from the sequencer timeline.

PROBLEM

Blender’s animation system is powerful but fragmented across multiple editors. Creating motion graphics or timeline-driven animation often requires switching between:

• Timeline • Dope Sheet • Graph Editor • NLA Editor • Video Sequence Editor • Compositor

This fragmentation introduces several workflow problems. Animation data is distributed across multiple editors rather than being controlled from a single sequencing interface. Artists must frequently move between editors to control:

• keyframes • animation timing • animation clips • scene sequencing

CONCLUSION

Blender already contains most of the components required for a modern motion graphics workflow. The missing element is a unified layer-based animation sequencer that connects these tools into a timeline-driven system designed for motion graphics.

A Motion Graphics Mode centered around this sequencer would bring Blender’s animation tools together into a coherent workflow while preserving the power and flexibility of its existing animation architecture.