Using the Edit Keyframes Tool
To use the following set of instructions, select the Edit Keyframes tool (above the Keyframe
Editor parameter list.
To add a keyframe
µ
Choose Add Keyframe from the Animation menu for any parameter to add a keyframe
at the position of the playhead.
To add a keyframe to an existing animation curve
µ
Double-click or Option-click the animation curve.
Curves created when keyframes are added are set to the interpolation method used by
the rest of that curve. For example, position channels default to using Bezier curves, so
new keyframes are added as Bezier keyframes. For more information on interpolation
methods, see
Modifying Curves
.
To add a keyframe to an animation curve and adjust its value
µ
Option-drag a curve segment.
A keyframe is added to the segment, and its value is displayed as you drag the keyframe.
To change the value of a keyframe
Do one of the following:
µ
In the graph area, drag the keyframe along the Y axis (up and down) to change its
parameter value. To change its position in time, drag along the X axis (left to right).
Press the Shift key while dragging to constrain movement to one axis.
Tip: Keyframes can also be constrained to the Y axis by turning on “Lock keyframes in
time in Keyframe Editor” in the Time pane of the Motion Preferences window.
607
Chapter 12
Keyframes and Curves
When dragging a keyframe in the graph, numbers appear indicating the position and
value of the keyframe. The first number is the frame number (or timecode number) and
the second number is the parameter value.
Frame number
Keyframe value
When you drag two keyframes closer along the X axis, the transformation between those
values happens more quickly. When you drag keyframes farther apart from each other,
the change happens more slowly.
µ
Double-click the keyframe to modify, enter the value into the value field, then press
Return.
Current frame
Keyframe value
This changes the value of the keyframe along the Y axis (up and down).
Note: To dismiss an active value field without making changes, press Esc.
608
Chapter 12
Keyframes and Curves
µ
Drag in the value slider in the parameter list.
• Drag to the right to increase the value of the keyframe along the Y axis.
• Drag to the left to decrease the value of the keyframe along the Y axis.
• Press Shift while dragging to change the value in increments of 10.
• Press Option while dragging to change the value in increments of .01.
To move a keyframe in time by a specific number of frames
1
Select keyframes.
2
Do one of the following:
• To move the selected keyframes to a specific frame: Enter a number, then press Return.
• To move the selected keyframes forward by a specific number of frames: Enter a plus sign
(+) and the number of frames, then press Return.
• To move the selected keyframes back by a specific number of frames: Enter a minus sign
(–) and the number of frames, then press Return.
To delete a keyframe
Do one of the following:
µ
Select the keyframe, then press Delete.
Note: You can drag to select multiple keyframes.
µ
Control-click the keyframe, then choose Delete from the shortcut menu.
µ
Navigate to the keyframe, then choose Delete Keyframe from the Animation menu for
that parameter.
To delete all of a parameter’s keyframes
µ
Click the Animation menu in the parameter list, then choose Reset Parameter.
Note: You can also use the Animation menu in the Inspector.
In addition to modifying keyframes, you can add and delete keyframes in the graph.
609
Chapter 12
Keyframes and Curves