Viewing and Editing Key Values


At the top of the marker's right-click pop-up menu is a list of current keys for the selected object (or if there are too many keys for a marker, they are placed under the Key Properties menu). When you select one of these keys, a key information dialog box opens. This dialog box displays different controls depending on the type of key selected. Figure 29.6 shows the dialog box for the Position key. There are slight variations in this dialog box, depending on the key type.

image from book
Figure 29.6: Key dialog boxes enable you to change the key parameters.

Note 

You can also access key-specific dialog boxes in the Motion panel for a selected object by clicking the Parameters button.

Within each of these key dialog boxes is a Time value that shows the current frame. Next to the Time value are two arrows that enable you to move easily to the other keys in the scene. The dialog box also includes several text fields, where you can change the key parameters.

Most of the key dialog boxes also include flyout buttons for selecting Key Tangents. Key Tangents determine how the animation moves into and out of the key. For example, if the In Key Tangent is set to Slow and the Out Key Tangent is set to Fast, the object approaches the key position in a slow manner but accelerates as it leaves the key position. The arrow buttons on either side of the Key Tangent buttons can copy the current Key Tangent selection to the previous or next key.

The six types of Tangents are detailed in Table 29.3.

Table 29.3: Key Tangents
Open table as spreadsheet

Toolbar Button

Name

Description

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Smooth

Produces straight, smooth motion; this is the default type.

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Linear

Moves at a constant rate between keys.

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Step

Causes discontinuous motion between keys; it occurs only between matching In-Out pairs.

image from book

Slow

Decelerates as you approach the key.

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Fast

Accelerates as you approach the key.

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Custom

Lets you control the Tangent handles in function curves mode.

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Custom-Locked Handles

Lets you control the Tangent handles in function curves mode with the handles locked.




3ds Max 9 Bible
3ds Max 9 Bible
ISBN: 0470100893
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2007
Pages: 383

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