5.1.1

Chapter 2 Introduction to the Motion interface 67
Player mode
When you click the Player Mode button below the Canvas, the Canvas expands to ll the Motion
workspace. This is helpful for watching project playback without the distraction of the software
interface. In this mode, the menus, toolbar, and timing display remain active. The Show/Hide
Timeline, Show/Hide Audio Timeline, and Show/Hide Keyframe Editor buttons at the lower-right
corner of the workspace also remain available, as does the Show/Hide File Browser/Library/
Inspector button at the lower-left corner of the workspace.
Switch into player mode
Do one of the following:
m Choose Window > Player Mode.
m Click the Player Mode button above the toolbar.
m Press F8.
Return to normal view
Do one of the following:
m Position your pointer over the menu, then choose Window > Player Mode again.
m Press F8 again.
Canvas shortcut menu
When no objects are selected, the Canvas has its own shortcut menu, used to access
several tools.
Use the Canvas shortcut menu
m Control-click an empty area of the Canvas (in the gray area outside the project) and choose an
item from the shortcut menu:
•
New Group: Adds a group to the project above existing groups in the Layers list.
•
Import: Opens the Import Files dialog, used to import les from the Finder.
•
Paste: Pastes any item copied to the Clipboard into the selected group in the project.
•
Project Properties: Opens the Properties Inspector for the project, where you can modify the
project’s background color, aspect ratio, eld rendering, motion blur, reections, and so on. For
more information on project properties, see Properties Inspector controls on page 192.
Work in 3D mode
In addition to the traditional 2D project workspace, Motion provides a 3D workspace that
includes cameras and lights with tools for manually changing your view, viewing a scene from a
reference camera, or viewing a scene through any camera added to your project.
When you switch to 3D mode, additional controls become available in the Canvas. A small set
of 3D View tools appears in the upper-right corner of the Canvas, and a 3D Compass appears in
the lower-left corner. The upper-left corner of the Canvas contains the Camera menu, where you
can choose which camera to use to view the project in 3D space. For more information, see 3D
compositing overview on page 908.
Important: You must add at least one camera or light to your project to create a 3D workspace.
Add a camera to your project
1 Click the New Camera button in the toolbar.
A dialog appears, prompting you to switch your 2D groups to 3D groups.
2 Click Switch to 3D to add a camera and create a 3D project.
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