User Guide

CHAPTER 6
216
Fine-tuning Animation
When adjusting speed on a motion path, set the shape of a motion path first, and then use
ease handles to fine-tune the speed relationships in the Speed graph. Ease handles provide
the most direct control over acceleration and deceleration. You can control the values
approaching or leaving a keyframe together or separately. The incoming handle increases
the influence of a keyframe value on the previous keyframe when you drag it to the left,
and decreases the influence on the previous keyframe when you drag it to the right. It
increases or decreases the speed when you drag it up or down. The outgoing handle influ-
ences the next keyframe in the same way.
Note: If you want a handle to have influence over more than one keyframe, use roving
keyframes. See “Creating smooth changes using roving keyframes” on page 220.
To fine-tune speed between keyframes:
1 In the Timeline window, expand the outline for the keyframe you want to adjust. Then
click the triangle to the left of the property to display the Speed graph or the Velocity
graph.
2 At the keyframe you want to adjust, drag either ease handle up to accelerate, or down
to decelerate, entering and leaving the keyframe.
By default, if you drag a handle beyond the top or bottom of the graph area, the graph line
is automatically resized to fit within the graph area. However, if you deselect the icon ( )
to the right of the property values, the graph line will not be resized; see “Adjusting the
Speed or Velocity graph border” on page 217.
To fine-tune speed separately for incoming and outgoing frames:
1 In the Timeline window, display the Speed or Velocity graph for the keyframe you want
to adjust.
2 At the keyframe you want to adjust, press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) as
you drag either ease handle up or down.
To rejoin split ease handles:
1 In the Timeline window, display the Speed or Velocity graph for the keyframe you want
to adjust.
2 At the keyframe you want to adjust, press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) as
you drag either split ease handle up or down until it meets the other handle.
UG.book Page 216 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM