User Guide

CHAPTER 5
172
Animating Layers
Modifying a motion path
You can modify a motion path either by changing an existing keyframe or adding a new
keyframe. A motion path is less complex and generally easier to modify when you use
fewer keyframes to describe the path. If you want to add a new keyframe to a motion path,
make sure that the current-time marker is positioned at the time you want the new
keyframe to occur. If you want to change an existing keyframe, make sure that the current-
time marker is positioned at the existing keyframe; otherwise, After Effects adds a new
keyframe. For information on controlling speed on a motion path, see “Controlling speed
along a motion path” on page 213.
The motion-path controls you see in the Composition window depend on the options
selected in the Composition window menu. For maximum control over the shape of a
motion path, use the pen tools and the spatial interpolation methods that After Effects
provides. See “Comparing interpolation methods” on page 201 and “Applying Bezier
interpolation graphically” on page 206.
A. Layer handle B. Layer keyframe C. Direction handle on direction line
D. Composition window menu E. Layer path
A
D
B
C
E
UG.book Page 172 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM