> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://animoia.gitbook.io/animoia-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://animoia.gitbook.io/animoia-docs/effects-reference/time.md).

# Time

Changes which moment of the layer is shown. Every effect below is listed in the sidebar, so you can jump straight to one. Return to [Effects reference](/animoia-docs/effects-reference.md) for stack behavior shared by all effects.

## Ghosts

Layers time-offset copies into a trailing echo. Add it from **Effects > Time** by double-clicking it or dragging it onto a compatible layer.

> **Note:** Its position in the stack matters because it changes which moment of the layer other effects see.

**Properties**

| Name               | Control | Visual or audible result                                                                                             |
| ------------------ | ------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Echo Time (ms)     | Number  | Changes which moment of the layer feeds into the ghosts result.                                                      |
| Number Of Echoes   | Number  | Sets how many trailing copies are drawn behind the current frame.                                                    |
| Substeps           | Number  | Samples extra moments between each echo, smearing the trail into continuous motion blur rather than distinct copies. |
| Starting Intensity | Number  | Sets how bright the current frame is before the echoes are added on top.                                             |
| Decay              | Number  | Sets how quickly the processing lets go after the sound falls away.                                                  |
| Echo Operator      | Menu    | Chooses how the echoes are combined: added for glowing light trails, screened, or simply layered.                    |

## Frame Drop

Quantizes the layer to a lower frame rate for stepped, choppy motion. Add it from **Effects > Time** by double-clicking it or dragging it onto a compatible layer.

> **Note:** Its position in the stack matters because it changes which moment of the layer other effects see.

**Properties**

| Name       | Control | Visual or audible result                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| ---------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Frame Rate | Number  | Sets the frame rate the layer is quantized to. The whole layer — its source, its keyframes, and its effects — is held on each step, so a low value gives the stepped look of footage shot at that rate no matter how fast the composition runs. |


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