9

378 Chapter 12: Animation
Inter face
TCB controllers display t heir properties in a Key
Info dialog in Track View and a single Key Info
rollout in the Motion panel.
Time field—Specifieswhenintimethekeyoccurs.
Time Lock —Prevents horizontal key motion in
Track View edit modes .
Key Value fields—Stores the animation values for
the key. The number and meaning of the fields
vary with different par ameter d ata types. S ome
typical field arrangements are:
•XYZfieldsforPositionandPoint3keys
•XYZpercentagefieldsforScalekeys
• A single value field for Float keys
TCB Gr a ph—Charts the effect that changing t he
controller properties will have on the animation.
Theredmarkatthetopofthecurverepresentsthe
key.Themarkstotheleftandrightofthecurve
represent an even division of time to either side
of the key.
The TCB graph is a st y lized representation of the
animation around a single key. If you want to view
the effect of changing TCB prop erties on the true
animation curve, use the Function Curves mode of
Track View (works only with position and scale).
The following descriptions refer to both the TCB
graph and the function curve as the animation
curve.
Note: When you are changing the properties of a
selection of multiple keys, the TCB graph is blank
unless al l properties are equal.
Ease To—Slows the velocity of the animation curve
as it approaches the key. Default=0.
High Ease To ca uses the animation to decelerate
as it approaches the key.
The default setting causes no extra deceleration.
Ease From—Slows the velocity of the animation
curve as it leaves the key. Default=0.
High Ease From causes the animation to start slow
and accelerate as it leaves the key.
The default setting causes no change of the
animation curve.
Tens ion—Controls the amount of c urvature in the
animation curve.
High Tension produces a linear curve. It also has a
slight Ease To and Ease From effect.
Low Tension produces a very wide, rounded,
curve. It also has a slight negative Ease To and
Ease From effect.
The default value of 25 produces an even amount
of curvature through the key.
Co ntinuity—Controls the tangential property of
the curve at the key. The default setting is the
only value that produces a smooth animation
curve through the key. All other values produce a
discontinuity in the animation curve causing an
abrupt change in the animation. Default=25.
High Continuity values create curved overshoot
on both sides of the key.
Low Continuity values create a linear animation
cur ve. Low continuity creates a linear curve