What is the Sequences feature?
Sequences is Artivive's feature that transforms your AR artwork from a linear animation into a reactive, multi-state experience. While Timeline brings movement, Sequences let you create different chapters, or "states", for your art that change based on user input or specific timing.
This means you're no longer limited to a single looping animation. You can build complex, multi-layered logic, like a playable instrument or a "choose your own adventure" story, directly inside the Artivive Editor. Watch the tutorial below, then continue reading this guide.
How do I access Sequences?
- Open the Timeline panel located in the Artivive Editor.
- You'll see you're now in the Artwork Sequence. This is your main sequence, the idle state, and the first thing your audience sees when they scan your artwork. You can animate here, or leave it empty to display a static image.
- Add new sequences by clicking the + icon next to the Sequences title. Add as many as you'd like, each animated with different actions.
- Connect your sequences: select a layer, add an On Tap interaction, choose Trigger Sequence, then pick the sequence to trigger when that layer is tapped.
Animating in Sequences
In addition to the actions already available in Timeline:
- Move To - move a layer to a new position
- Rotate To - rotate a layer by a chosen amount
- Scale By - scale a layer up or down
- Transform To - move, rotate and scale in one single action
- Show / Hide - make layers appear or disappear at specific times
Sequences opens up a few more actions, explained below.
1Manage Sequence
Manage Sequence acts as a flow controller. Place it on the timeline to either play or stop a sequence, allowing you to chain sequences together or interrupt unwanted behaviour.
2Change Interaction
Change Interaction lets you temporarily change the interaction settings of a layer, meaning a layer can change its function over the course of your animation. For example, a simple button image can start with no interaction, transition to opening a link, and finally trigger a new sequence.
3Play Animation
Play Animation lets you trigger different animations from your animated models at any point in the sequence. Playback can also be customised: each sequence can either wait for the previous one to complete to ensure smooth transitions, or interrupt it to play immediately.
4Running sequences together
When a new sequence is triggered, other sequences don't automatically stop. They overlay over each other.
This means you can have multiple sequences running simultaneously, creating layered effects and complex interactions.
5The game changer: Preview Mode
Because interactive logic can become complex, Preview Mode is an essential diagnostic tool. It provides a dedicated tab in the editor that lets you play, tap, and transition through your artwork exactly as a user would in the live app. A small notification appears each time a sequence is stopped or played, making it easier to understand what is happening.
You can still open a timeline tab, which highlights which sequences are currently playing, so you can track which ones are running at the same time and for how long. This lets you troubleshoot timing issues or broken links immediately, ensuring your artworks work perfectly before you publish.
6Why use Sequences?
With Sequences you can go far beyond linear animation. Add timing logic, tap interactions and layered behaviours to create fully interactive AR experiences. Turn your artwork into playable games, musical instruments, interactive stories or multi-path video experiences.
For example, add tappable links to websites, emails or phone numbers, build tap-based games like tic-tac-toe, create playable instruments like an AR piano, or design interactive video experiences where tapping different details reveals new animations or video scenes. The creative possibilities are virtually endless.
7What can I create with Sequences?
Sequences unlock interactive AR creation, meaning you can build experiences, not just animations. Here's what creators are already making:
Games and playable experiences
- Tap-timing games (like tic-tac-toe or reaction games)
- Interactive puzzles
- Choice-based storytelling
Music and sound experiences
- Playable AR instruments (like a piano)
- Tap elements to trigger sounds or beats
- Build interactive sound layers
Interactive video and storytelling
- One main video, tap details to open new scenes
- Multi-path storytelling
- Layered animations triggered by user actions
If you can design the logic, you can build it, from simple interactions to full interactive experiences.