Pivot animations can be saved in the native PIV file format. In this format the animation can be opened in Pivot to be played or edited at a later time. All the information required for the animation is contained within the PIV file, and so the file can be emailed or uploaded to someone else with Pivot where it can be played or edited by them. PIV files are only supported by Pivot Animator and not by video editors or YouTube.
Piv files are always backwards compatible, meaning that files created with all previous versions of Pivot can be opened in newer versions. However, the reverse is not always true. A file created in a particular version cannot be opened in a previous version if the first digit of the version number is different. For example, a piv file created in version 5.x.x cannot be opened in version 4.x.x (an error message will be shown).
Saving an animation
After creating an animation by adding frames to the time-line, the animation can be saved by clicking 'Save Animation As' in the File menu. The save file window will then appear to enable you to choose a name and location for the PIV file. Click 'Save' to finish saving. After making further changes to the animation, the PIV file can be overwritten by clicking 'Save Animation' in the File menu or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+S. A '*' symbol will be shown in the main window title when the current animation is in an unsaved state.
The name of the animation will be shown in the main window title bar after saving.
A backup of the any existing file will always be created in the save folder before saving (extension '.bak'). If any issues happen while saving then the backup can be restored to recover lost work. Simply remove '.bak' from the end of the file name before loading. The backup file can also be loaded directly by using 'Open Animation' in the file menu and choosing the Backup file type from the dropdown list.
Opening an animation
A PIV file animation can be opened by clicking 'Open Animation' in the File menu. The open file window will then appear. Navigate to the file, select it and click 'Open'. If the animation is long or contains many backgrounds images or sprites, then it may take several seconds to open.
An alternative method for opening a PIV file is to double click it in Windows Explorer. This will start the program and open the animation.
The name of the animation will be shown in the main window title bar after opening.
After creating an animation by adding frames to the time-line, the animation can be saved by clicking 'Save Animation As' in the File menu. The save file window will then appear to enable you to choose a name and location for the PIV file. Click 'Save' to finish saving. After making further changes to the animation, the PIV file can be overwritten by clicking 'Save Animation' in the File menu or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+S. A '*' symbol will be shown in the main window title when the current animation is in an unsaved state.
A PIV file animation can be opened by clicking 'Open Animation' in the File menu. The open file window will then appear. Navigate to the file, select it and click 'Open'. If the animation is long or contains many backgrounds images or sprites, then it may take several seconds to open.