8

Block Controller 309
tracks. This enables communication
between the track and the Block controller.
• With the Blend track (below the MasterBlock
track in the Track View hierarchy) you can
animate how much of the block animation
w i ll be in effect. Negative values reverse the
animation.
• Controllers that each block uses are listed
under the block name. This allows you to
adjustthedataforaparticularblock.
Example continued: To use a block :
1.
IntheDopeSheetKeywindow,right-clickthe
MasterBlock track.
A p op-up menu displays the name of blocks
already created.
2. Select the name of the block you created earlier.
The Block is displayed in the Key window.
3. Drag the Block to start at fr ame 20, and click
Play.
The animation repeats at f r ame 20.
You can create a number of blocks for different
periodsofanobject’sanimation,andusethem
at different locations in the MasterBlock track.
To move an inserted block:
• In the Key window, select the block and then
drag it left or right.
To scale (resize) an inserted block :
• Select the key at the lower left or right corner of
the block, and then drag lef t or rig ht.
To create a copy of a block:
• Hold down SHIFT, and draft the block.
This creates a new instance of the block, which
youcanplaceatadifferenttime.
To remove an inserted block:
• Click to select the block, then press DELETE.
Interfa ce
Inserted blocks appear in the Key window to the right of t he
MasterBlock controller in the hierarchy under Global Tracks.
Bl ock Control tr ack —Displays in Track View under
Global Tracks.
To create a MasterBlock Control, expand Block
Control, select Available, and choo s e Controller >
Assign.
MasterB lock Track —Displays in Track View after
you assign a Master Block controller to an available
track.
You can right-click the track in the Key window.
This displays a pop-up menu that shows the name
of blocks that have been created. Choosing a block
inserts the block into t he MasterBlock track. T he
dialog also has an entry, Propert ies, that displays
the Master Block Parameters dialog.
In the MasterBlock track, inserted blocks display
as color ed rectangles. The name of the block
appears at t he center. In the lower left and right
corners are keys that indicate the beginning and
end of the block’s animation. Below the name of
the block is the letter “R” for relative, or “A” for
absolute. Click and drag the cent er of a block to
move it in time. Select a key in the corner of a
Blocktomoveoneedgeoftheblock(scaletime).
Right-clickaninsertedlocktodisplaytheBlock
Key Properties dialog (described below).