[Feature Request] Timeline zoom & precise window controls in the enlarged time filter #3231
Description
Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Selecting very small time windows in the enlarged timeline is fiddly with only the range handles.
When datasets have second-level events or dense activity bursts, it’s hard to focus precisely on a sub-segment for playback or inspection.
This is a long-standing UX pain on the time filter.
Describe the solution you'd like
Add cursor-centric zoom and precise window controls to the enlarged timeline:
- 🖱️ Mouse wheel → zoom the active window around the cursor.
- 🤏 Pinch / hold Ctrl (⌘ on Mac) + wheel → zoom the entire timeline domain (shows a “Showing … Reset” banner when zoomed).
- ⌨️ Keyboard pan → hold Ctrl (⌘ on Mac) and press ←/→ to pan the window; hold Shift for larger steps.
- Keep the window and animation in sync, clamped to the full data domain.
Describe alternatives you've considered
- 🧮 Numeric inputs for start/end or window width — useful, but the interaction above solves the common “just zoom a bit more” case with less UI chrome.
- 🗺️ Mini-map overview track — heavier UI; could be a later follow-up.
- 🎚️ Only slider-handle resizing — already available but imprecise for narrow windows.
Additional context
- Addresses previous community requests for finer time control and smaller windows on the timeline.
- Implementation is ready: includes wheel/pinch zoom, keyboard panning, reset banner, and clamping/throttling.
- Opening this issue to document the problem/solution and link the upcoming PR.
Add any other context or screenshots about the feature request here.
GIFs of my current solution:
1️⃣ Wheel zoom on active window
Show how scrolling directly over the timeline zooms in/out on the visible playback window around the cursor position.
2️⃣ Pinch or Ctrl(⌘)+wheel zoom of full timeline + Reset banner
Demonstrate pinch zoom or Ctrl(⌘)+scroll zooming the entire domain, and how the “Showing … Reset” banner appears.
Show the banner’s visibility state and how clicking Reset restores the full timeline domain.
3️⃣ Keyboard panning
Demonstrate holding Ctrl(⌘) and pressing ← / → to pan, and adding Shift for larger steps.
