1.Animation- Windows and Editor

Page 1: Introduction

  • Animation Overview: Focuses on using Windows and the Editor in Grade 12 GAES.

Page 2: Animation Editors

  • Key Editors:

    • Dope Sheet

    • Trax Editor

    • Animation Layered Editor

    • Graphic Editor

Page 3: Session 1 - Dope Sheet

  • Definition: The Dope Sheet is an animation editor that allows event timing through colored rectangles representing key times.

  • Functions:

    • Edit event timing in blocks of keyframes.

    • Synchronize animation with audio.

  • Access:

    • Main Menu: Window > Animation Editors > Dope Sheet

    • Scene View: Panels > Panel > Dope Sheet (in Graph Editor window)

    • Panel Options: Ctrl + Shift + M

Page 4: Dope Sheet Interface

  • Menu Bar Options:

    • Edit

    • View

    • Curves

    • Keys

    • Tangents

    • List

    • Show

    • Help

  • Toolbar: Displays stats and options for the selected objects (e.g., pSphere1, pTorus1).

Page 5: Editing Keyframes

  • Edit Menu Functions:

    • Undo/Redo

    • Cut

    • Copy

    • Paste

    • Delete

    • Scale

    • Snap

    • Select Unsnapped

Page 6: Undo and Cut Actions

  • Undo/Redo:

    • Undo cancels the last operation.

    • Redo reinstates the last undone operation.

  • Cut Function: Removes keys from the selected attribute and places a copy on the clipboard.

Page 7: Copy and Paste Actions

  • Copy Function: Copies keys from the selected attribute to the clipboard.

  • Paste Function: Allows adding keys from the clipboard to an attribute, with options to merge or replace existing keys.

Page 8: Delete and Scale Functions

  • Delete Function: Removes keys without copying them to the clipboard.

  • Scale Function: Adjusts selected keys' timing to a new range. Operates across key ranges or individual attributes.

Page 9: Snapping and Selection

  • Snap Function: Forces selected keys to align with whole time units.

  • Select Unsnapped: Identifies keys not located on whole time units.

Page 10: Framing in the Dope Sheet

  • Frame All: Fits the graph view to show all animation.

  • Frame Selection: Fits the graph view to show selected animation only.

  • Center Current Time: Positions the current time in the center of the editor's view.

Page 11: Pre and Post Infinity Animation

  • Purpose: Generates repeating animation types and provides control over automation.

  • Bake Channel: Useful for editing single animation curves or adding keys to existing curves.

Page 12: Mute Keys

  • Mute Function: Temporarily disables selected keys, preventing them from affecting animation.

  • Visual Indication: Mute channels appear as green symbols in the Dope Sheet.

Page 13: Unmute Keys

  • Unmute Function: Reenables previously muted keys, allowing them to affect animation again while disabling mute indication.

Page 14: Tangents Menu

  • Purpose: Adjusts the entry and exit points of curve segments for keyframes.

  • Impact: Modifies existing animation curves referenced by tangents.

Page 15: Spline Tangent

  • Definition: Creates smooth curves between keys.

  • Application Example: Used for smooth adjustments like color transitions in heating elements.

Page 16: Clamped and Stepped Tangents

  • Clamped Tangent: Joins linear and spline characteristics; smooth unless values are close.

  • Stepped Tangent: Produces flat, abrupt transitions between keys.

Page 17: Stepped Next Tangents

  • FBIK Animation: Jumps immediately to the next key's value without prior holding.

Page 18: Fixed and Plateau Tangents

  • Fixed Tangent: Keeps tangents unchanged during key adjustments.

  • Plateau Tangent: Flattens segments between equal value keyframes while easing into/out of keyframes.

Page 19: In Tangents and Out Tangents

  • In Tangent: Specifies the curve segment before a key.

  • Out Tangent: Defines the curve segment after a key.

Page 20: Session 2 - Animation Control Interface

  • Overview: Animation controls display AVI clips (bitmap frames) without audio.

Page 21: Animation Control Features

  • Key Components: Range slider, Animation Preferences button, and Auto Key button.

Page 22: Time Slider

  • Functionality: Allows scrubbing through animation by dragging left and right within the Time Slider.

Page 23: Range Slider

  • Visibility: Toggle display under Display > UI Elements > Range Slider.

  • Animation Start Time: Sets when the animation begins.

Page 24: Animation Terms

  • Frame Rate: Default is Film (24fps); varies by country (30fps in the U.S., 25fps elsewhere).

  • Animation Range: Total length in frames; calculated by multiplying frame rate by animation duration.

  • Setting Keys: Under Animate > Set Key.

Page 25: Session 3 - Nonlinear Animation

  • Definition: An advanced animation method that operates independently of time.

Page 26: Graph Editor

  • Description: Provides a visual representation of animated attributes; useful for tweaking values and visualizing animations.

  • Access: Can be opened in the Hotbox (Window > Animation Editors > Graph Editor).

Page 27: Graph Editor Components

  • Key Elements:

    • Menu Bar

    • Edit Menu

    • View Menu

    • Select Menu

    • Curves Menu

    • Keys Menu

    • Tangent Menu

    • List Menu

Page 28: Menu Bar Functions

  • Purpose: Tools to manipulate curves and keys within the Graph Editor view.

  • Edit Menu: Functions similarly to the main Edit menu in modeling view.

Page 29: Curve and Tangent Menus

  • Select Menu: Controls availability of animation curve components for selection and editing.

  • Curves Menu: Manages setup of curves with scene keys.

  • List Menu: Loads objects for editing.

Page 30: The Trax Editor

  • Function: High-level tool for character animation management, including layering and blending animation clips.

Page 31: Trax Editor Components

  1. Trax Menu Bar: Options for character and clip management.

  2. Trax Toolbar: Quick access to functionalities.

  3. Track Control Area: Playback control for tracks.

  4. Track View Area: Displays tracks and clips for loaded characters.

Page 32: Session 4 - Animation Layer Editor

  • Purpose: Manipulates animation layers and manages their blending behaviors.

  • Main Menus:

    • Layers Menu

    • Options Menu

    • Show Menu

Page 33: Animation Layer Tasks

Task

Action required

Create Animation Layer

Click 'Create an empty animation layer.'

Extract Animation

Right-click Base Animation bar to select 'Extract Non-Layered Animation for Selected Objects.'

Move Layer

Drag layer up/down in the stack.

Delete Layers

Select layers, then Layers > Delete from menu bar.

Page 34: Animation Layer Management

  • Layer Weight Control: Key the layer weight to adjust influence of the animation layer.

Page 35: Animation Layer Toolbar

  • Overview: Displays the Animation Layer Editor's main options and controls.

Page 36: Conclusion

  • End of Session: Wraps up the content regarding animation functionalities and editors.