2010

Table Of Contents
Lesson 4: Nonlinear animation with Trax
Introduction
Nonlinear animation allows you to create and edit an animation sequence by
arranging smaller animation sequences (known as clips) on a timeline. A clip
is a time-independent sequence of animation that you create from an existing
animation (keyframe animation, expressions, constraints, and motion capture
data - except motion path animation).
Nonlinear animation tools in Maya
®
Trax
TM
give you the ability to experiment
with your animation sequences and character animations without having to
redo all of your work when you want to modify or construct a different
animation.
Nonlinear animation is a non-destructive process. You can modify a particular
clips attributes without affecting the source animation: the source material
remains untouched. This makes nonlinear animation useful when you want
to experiment, iterate, or change a particular animation sequence.
The primary tool for working with nonlinear animation is the Trax Editor.
You can also store your clips for future use by creating a library of clips.
In this lesson you learn how to:
Key animation sequences for use as nonlinear clips in Trax.
Lesson 4: Nonlinear animation with Trax | 239