5.5

85Motion User Guide
• Linked Objects: A list of all objects in the Layers list that are linked to the selected
source media in the Media list. The first column shows the name of the group containing
an instance of the source media; the second column shows the layer name. Changing
the layer name in the Layers list updates the name appearing in this list.
• Replace Media File: A button to relink media in your project to a source file on disk. This
feature is primarily useful for relinking offline media, but can also be used to change
source media (changing all layers that are linked to that source media). When a 3D
object file is selected, only compatible 3D files (USDZ) are available for relinking.
• Metadata: An information pane displaying properties of the external media file on your
computer or networked device that’s linked to the item selected in the Media list.
Duplicating and deleting media files in Motion
When you delete a layer in the Layer’s list, by default Motion deletes the corresponding
media item in the Media list (but does not delete the source media on your computer or
connected storage device). If you want to delete a layer, but retain its source media item in
the Media list for future use, open Motion Preferences and, in the General pane, deselect
the “Automatically manage unused media” checkbox. See General preferences in Motion.
When you duplicate a layer in the Layers list, a new instance of the source media is created
in the Layers list—however, no new source item is created in the Media list. In a project
with duplicated layers, you can adjust the attributes of all duplicates simultaneously by
adjusting the source media’s parameters in the Media Inspector (see Display the Media
Inspector in Motion).
If you’ve duplicated layers and want to delete them all at the same time, delete the
corresponding media item in the Media list.
Exchange media in a project in Motion
You can overwrite an image layer with media from a different file. This process, called
exchanging media, replaces the layer’s original source media link with a new source media
link. When you exchange a layer’s source media, the layer retains its Property Inspector
parameter values (including Position, Scale, and Opacity, and Blend Mode), as well as
applied filters, behaviors, masks, or keyframes.
The exchange operation lets you replace layers in your project even after you’ve modified
and animated them. If you’re unhappy with an element of your composition, exchange it
with a new one.
Important: You can only exchange layers that are linked to source media files on your
computer or networked device. You cannot exchange Motion-generated objects such as
particle systems, generators, shapes, or text objects. You can only exchange 3D object
files with other 3D object files.