5.5

376Motion User Guide
Reposition an object on an animation path
When you move an object on an animation path to a new position in the canvas, a portion
of the animation path is repositioned along with the object.
• In Motion, make sure the object is positioned on the animation path between two
keyframe points, then drag the object (but not its center onscreen control).
The object is moved to a new position in the canvas, and a new keyframe point is
created at that position.
Note: If the object is on a keyframe point, dragging the object does not create a new
keyframe; rather, the current keyframe point is moved along with the object to a new
position in the canvas.
Change the angle of a keyframe point
By default, keyframe points on an animation path use Bezier curves. You can modify the
curve angle by dragging tangent handles or by converting Bezier keyframe points to linear
points.
In Motion, do any of the following:
• Change the angle of a Bezier keyframe point: Click to select a Bezier keyframe point in
the canvas, then drag its tangent handles.
• Convert a smooth Bezier keyframe point to a sharp linear point: Control-click a
keyframe point in the canvas, then choose Linear from the shortcut menu.
The tangent handles of the keyframe point disappear, leaving a sharply angled linear
keyframe. To quickly convert the keyframe point back to a curved Bezier point with
tangent handles, Command-drag the keyframe.
• Convert a sharp linear keyframe point to a smooth Bezier point: Control-click the
keyframe point and choose Smooth from the shortcut menu.
Tangent handles appear on the Smooth keyframe point, and the animation path
becomes curved. To quickly convert a curved Bezier point back to a sharply angled
linear point, Command-click the keyframe.
Note: The Very Smooth option is not available for animation paths and remains dimmed
in the shortcut menu.
For more information on manipulating Bezier points, see Intro to complex shapes and
masks in Motion.
Delete, disable, or lock a keyframe point
Deleting a keyframe point modifies the shape of the animation path; disabling a keyframe
point temporarily removes it from the path; locking a keyframe point prevents editing.
In Motion, do any of the following:
• Delete a keyframe point: Control-click a keyframe point in the canvas, then choose
Delete Point from the shortcut menu (or select the keyframe point, then press Delete).
The keyframe is removed, changing the shape of the animation path.
• Disable a keyframe point: Control-click a keyframe point in the canvas, then choose
Disable Point from the shortcut menu.