Merging and Splitting Sequence Steps
The split step and merge step features are useful when you are trying to reuse an existing sequence and the current breakdown of the steps is not suitable. For example, if the existing data has been updated and the change means that the original step breakdown is no longer correct, you can use the merge or split step features to get the correct step breakdown. The split step feature is also useful when creating animations. For example, you can create an animation in a single step and then split into the correct number of steps for the finished sequence.
The merge steps feature creates a single step from two or more steps. The ability to merge two steps into one, potentially doing this multiple times, means that you can completely change the breakdown of steps within a sequence.
The split step feature divides a single step into two steps at the current point in the time line (position of the time line jogger).
To Merge Two or More Steps
1. In the Step Editor tab, select two or more sequential steps to merge, then click > . The Merge Steps dialog box opens.
2. Type a new name for the merged step, then optionally set the following:
◦ Remove step acknowledgements. Select the Remove acknowledgements check box.
◦ Keep a single step acknowledgement. Clear the Remove acknowledgements check box.
◦ Combine all notes into a single note. Under Notes, select Combine.
◦ Remove all notes. Under Notes, select Remove.
◦ Add a gap in the time line between the merged steps by setting the padding in seconds.
3. Click Apply to apply the options and keep the dialog box open, or click OK to apply the options and close the dialog box.
To Split a Step
1. In the Step Editor tab, select a step to split.
2. Split the step in one of the following ways:
◦ Select > . The
Split Step dialog box opens. Move the time line jogger to the required split point.
◦ Move the time line jogger to the required split point, and then select > . The
Split Step dialog box opens.
3. Under New step names, type names for the new steps.
4. Click Apply to apply the options and keep the dialog box open, or click OK to apply the options and close the dialog box.