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Timebase and Timeline Usage#

Each Display in ATLAS has a Timebase, defined by:

  • Start and End Point: The time range covered.
  • Duration: The length of time shown.
  • Position: A specific point within the Timebase.

Default Settings: Timebase duration and position are based on the absolute time in the active Session. Displays can have independent or linked Timebases—changes to a linked Timebase affect all associated Displays.

Adjusting the Timebase#

You can change the Timebase in several ways:

  • Position & Duration:
    • Use the Graphical Timeline
    • Use Move controls
  • Position Only:
    • Move the cursor in Waveform, Circuit, or Scatterplot Displays
  • Duration Only:
    • Use Zoom controls in the Waveform Display

When telemetry is received, the Timebase position updates automatically.

Timeline Overview#

The Timeline is shown at the top of the ATLAS Main Window when a Session or Compare Set is loaded. It provides graphical control over the Timebase and lets you navigate, select laps, and compare data.

Timeline Example

Timeline Components#

  • Set Tag: Indicates which Session or Compare Set the Timeline applies to.
  • Set Name: Shows driver and session description.
  • Lap Selection: Select laps to change the Timebase.
  • Marker Selection: Jump to specific points or ranges using markers.
  • Navigation Buttons:
    • Previous Lap
    • Next Lap
    • Fastest Lap
  • Lap Bar: Visualizes session duration and lap boundaries.
  • Time Position: Marked by a vertical red line.
  • Compare Set Scope & Offset: Choose what to compare (whole session, single lap, fastest lap) and set time offsets between sessions.

Timeline Actions#

Interact with the Timeline using your mouse and keyboard:

  • Double-click a lap: Selects the whole lap as Timebase, centers Time Position.
  • Triple-click: Selects the entire session as Timebase.
  • Click + Drag:
    • Left to right: Select any duration
    • Right to left: Select whole laps
  • Right-click: Remove sessions or manage Compare Sets.
  • Left-click a Set tag/number: Show/hide Compare Sets.
  • Right-click session identifier: Promote to primary, delete, or view session details.
  • Zoom: Use + and - keys or mouse wheel to zoom in/out on the Timeline.

Timebase vs Distance Mode#

The Waveform Display supports two modes:

  • Time Mode (default): Parameters plotted against time.
  • Distance Mode: Parameters plotted against distance.

When to use each mode:

  • Use Time Mode for time-based analysis (e.g., event timing, telemetry trends).
  • Use Distance Mode for lap comparison, performance over track segments, or when assessing lap time improvements.

Switching to Distance Mode#

  1. Select a valid Distance parameter in Tools > Options > General > X Axis Mapping.
  2. Add and configure the Distance parameter (e.g., sLap).
  3. In the Waveform Display, press K to toggle modes, or right-click and select the mode from the context menu.

When Distance Mode is active, a Time Difference (TDiff) function is shown, helping you compare lap times and performance.

Distance Mode Example

Timeline Visibility#

Timelines are visible if any display is associated with their Set. You can force visibility by right-clicking the Set marker and checking the Sets to always display. To show all Timelines, use View > F1 Timeline > Show All Compare Sets.

Show All Timelines

Session Details Tooltip#

Hover over the session identifier in the Timeline to see session details. Customize which properties are shown by right-clicking and selecting Session Details. You can select up to 5 properties (default limit, configurable).

Session Details

Select Details