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The mini-curve editor provides the Edit Keyframes, Sketch Keyframes, and Transform
Keyframes tools, and each functions in the same manner as in the Keyframe Editor. For
more information on using the Edit Keyframes tool, see Using the Edit Keyframes Tool.
For more information on using the Sketch Keyframes tool, see Using the Sketch Keyframes
Tool. For more information on using the Transform Keyframes tool, see Using the Transform
Keyframes Tool.
The Auto Fit checkbox sets whether Motion scales the animation curve to fit within the
confines of the mini-curve editor.
Animating on the Fly
Another powerful feature that Motion offers is the ability to create animations while your
project is playing back. This is similar to how audio engineers adjust sliders for each audio
channel while listening to the mix. The next time the project is played back, all changes
are incorporated.
Because so many of Motion’s effects are displayed in real time, you can perform a sort of
“visual mix” and modify the parameters of your effects while the project is playing back.
For example, it is not until you see the elements in your project as a whole that you can
know whether each part is behaving as it should. One object might be fading too slowly
and making another element hard to see, or a text element can come and go so quickly
that it’s impossible to read. With keyframing on the fly, you can make adjustments to any
slider or parameter in the program while your project is playing. You can also interactively
manipulate objects in the Canvas. Then, if you don’t like what you did, rewind and do it
again. Each time you alter a parameter, you replace keyframes previously assigned.
To animate a parameter on the fly using the Inspector or the HUD (using the Record
button)
1 Click the Record button (or press A) or choose Mark > Record Animation to turn on
keyframe recording.
2 Click the Play button or press the Space bar to begin playback.
3 As your project plays, adjust a parameter slider.
4 Disable Record.
The changes you made during playback are recorded as keyframes for that parameter.
You can view them in the Keyframe Editor.
Note: You can also animate on the fly using the initial keyframe method. For more
information on the initial keyframe method, see Using the Initial Keyframe Method.
If you don’t like the animation you made, you can delete the keyframes and try again.
You can choose Edit > Undo (or press Command-Z) to revert to the state before you
began recording your animation, or you can manually delete the keyframes to replace.
631Chapter 12 Keyframes and Curves