.from()

Adds a TweenLite.from() tween to the end of the timeline (or elsewhere using the "position" parameter) - this is a convenience method that accomplishes exactly the same thing asadd( TweenLite.from(...) ) but with less code. In other words, the following two lines produce identical results:

myTimeline.add( TweenLite.from(element, 1, {left:100, opacity:0.5}) );
myTimeline.from(element, 1, {left:100, opacity:0.5});

Keep in mind that you can chain these calls together and use other convenience methods like to(), call(), set(), staggerTo(), etc. to build out sequences very quickly:

//create a timeline that calls myFunction() when it completes
var tl:TimelineLite = new TimelineLite({onComplete:myFunction});
 
//now we'll use chaining, but break each step onto a different line for readability...
tl.from(element, 1, {left:-100})    //tween element's left from -100
  .to(element, 1, {top:50})    //then tween element's "top" to 50
  .set(element, {opacity:0})    //then set element's opacity to 0.5 immediately
  .call(otherFunction)    //then call otherFunction()
  .staggerTo([element1, element2, element3], 1.5, {rotation:45}, 0.25); //finally tween the rotation of element1, element2, and element3 to 45 and stagger the start times by 0.25 seconds
         

If you don't want to append the tween and would rather have precise control of the insertion point, you can use the additional position parameter. Or use a regular add() liketl.add( TweenLite.from(element, 1, {left:100}), 2.75).

The 4th parameter is the position which controls the placement of the tween in the timeline (by default, it's at the end of the timeline). Use a number to indicate an absolute time in terms of seconds (or frames for frames-based timelines), or you can use a string with a "+=" or "-=" prefix to offset the insertion point relative to the END of the timeline. For example,"+=2" would place the tween 2 seconds after the end, leaving a 2-second gap. "-=2" would create a 2-second overlap. You may also use a label like "myLabel" to have the tween inserted exactly at the label or combine a label and a relative offset like "myLabel+=2" to insert the tween 2 seconds after "myLabel" or "myLabel-=3" to insert it 3 seconds before "myLabel". If you define a label that doesn't exist yet, it will automatically be added to the end of the timeline before inserting the tween which can be quite convenient.

tl.from(element, 1, {left:100});  //appends to the end of the timeline
tl.from(element, 1, {left:100}, 2);  //appends it at exactly 2 seconds into the timeline (absolute position)
tl.from(element, 1, {left:100}, "+=2");  //appends it 2 seconds after the end (with a gap of 2 seconds)
tl.from(element, 1, {left:100}, "myLabel");  //places it at "myLabel" (and if "myLabel" doesn't exist yet, it's added to the end and then the tween is inserted there)
tl.from(element, 1, {left:100}, "myLabel+=2");  //places it 2 seconds after "myLabel"

Be sure to read our tutorial Understanding the Position Parameter which includes interactive timeline visualizations and a video.

NOTE: By default, immediateRender is true in from() tweens, meaning that they immediately render their starting state regardless of any delay that is specified. You can override this behavior by passing immediateRender:false in the vars parameter so that it will wait to render until the tween actually begins.