Motion 5 - HUD

background image

HUD

The HUD (heads-up display) is a dynamically updating floating window that puts the
common controls for a selected object within easy reach. For example, an image HUD
contains opacity, blend mode, and drop shadow controls.

118

Chapter 2

The Motion Interface

background image

The HUD also contains controls for some effects, including Basic Motion behaviors and
particle systems. For example, the 2D Particle Emitter HUD contains a single control that
provides a visual way to manipulate three particle system parameters: Emission Range,
Emission Angle, and Speed. These unique controls allow you to set multiple parameters
simultaneously and in an intuitive way.

You can read more about specific HUD controls in their namesake chapters.

Note: It is easier to enter a specific value for a slider parameter in the Inspector’s value
sliders.

To display a HUD
Do one of the following:

µ

Select an object, then choose Window > Show HUD (or press F7).

µ

Select an object, then click the Show/Hide HUD button in the toolbar (to the right of the
timing display).

µ

Press D. Press D again to cycle through all HUDs for the selected object.

To cycle the HUDs in reverse, press Shift-D.

119

Chapter 2

The Motion Interface

background image

When multiple effects are applied to an object, you can cycle through the effects’ HUDs.
A small downward-facing arrow next to the HUD name indicates additional effects are
applied to the selected object.

The arrow indicates
multiple control sets for
the selected object.

Click the arrow to display a pop-up menu that lists all possible HUDs that can be displayed
for the selected object.

When multiple objects of the same type are selected, a combined HUD appears, and
“Multiple Selection” appears in its title bar.

To switch between HUDs of a selected object
Do one of the following:

µ

Click the downward arrow in the HUD title bar, then choose the HUD to view from the
pop-up menu.

µ

Press D to cycle through all HUDs for the selected object. To cycle the HUDs in reverse,
press Shift-D.

The HUDs are cycled in the order in which the effects are applied.

120

Chapter 2

The Motion Interface

background image

Most of the time, the HUD displays a subset of the parameters visible in the Inspector for
the selected object. If you are working in the HUD, you can jump to the Inspector to
access the remainder of the controls for that object.

To jump to the Inspector from the HUD

µ

Click the Inspector icon (the “i”) in the upper-right corner of the HUD.

The Inspector corresponding to the HUD appears.