5.1.1

Chapter 7 Basic compositing 223
When you select a single layer and open the Properties Inspector, the layer’s parameters
are displayed. Making changes to the values in the Properties Inspector aects the selected
layer. If more than one layer is selected in the Canvas, Layers list, or Timeline, the parameter
values displayed in the Properties Inspector become inaccessible. However, you can still adjust
the onscreen controls. Manipulating an onscreen transform handle aects every selected
layer equally.
Modify parameter values in the Properties Inspector
Do one of the following:
m Select a parameter value eld, enter a new number, then press Return.
m If the parameter has a graphical control, such as a slider or dial, adjust the control.
m To reset a parameter to its default state, click its reset button, or choose Reset Parameter from the
parameter’s Animation menu.
m Drag left on the parameter value to decrease, or right to increase the value.
For more information on how to use the parameter controls, see User interface controls
overview on page 127. For a description of the controls in the Properties Inspector, see
Parameters in the Properties Inspector on page 223.
Parameters in the Properties Inspector
The Properties pane of the Inspector displays the following parameters for most layers and groups:
Transform parameters
•
Position: Value sliders that dene the X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth) positions of
each layer.
The coordinate system used by Motion species the center of the Canvas as 0, 0, 0 regardless
of the frame size of the project. Moving a layer to the left subtracts from the X value, while
moving to the right adds to the X value. Moving a layer up adds to the Y value, and moving a
layer down subtracts from the Y value. Moving a layer closer adds to the Z value, while moving
further away subtracts from the Z value.
Canvas center point
(0,0)
-360 pixels +360 pixels
+240 pixels
-240 pixels
Each layer’s position is centered on its anchor point. Osetting the anchor point also osets
the position of the layer relative to the X, Y, and Z position values you have set.
•
Rotation: A dial that controls a one-dimensional value representing the number of degrees
of rotation around the Z axis. A positive value rotates the layer counterclockwise. A negative
value rotates the layer clockwise.
Rotating a layer beyond 360 degrees results in multiple rotations when the Rotation
parameter is animated.
Click the disclosure triangle next to the Rotation parameter to reveal dials that adjust rotation
around all three axes (X, Y, and Z), as well as the Animate pop-up menu.
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