5.5

Table Of Contents
335Motion User Guide
Oscillate behavior in Motion
The Oscillate behavior animates a parameter by cycling it between two values. You can
customize how wide apart the high and low values are as well as the number of oscillations
per minute. The Oscillate behavior can create all kinds of cyclical effects. For example,
if you apply the Oscillate behavior to the rotation property of an object, it will rock back
and forth. This happens because the rotation property cycles back and forth between
the original rotation value plus and minus the Amplitude value that’s set in the Oscillate
behavior.
Applying the Oscillate behavior to the X value of the Scale parameter instead causes the
width of the object to cycle, and it repeatedly stretches and compresses for the duration of
the behavior.
The Oscillate behavior is additive, meaning that the value generated by this behavior is
added to the original value of the parameter to which it’s applied.
Adjust this behavior using the controls in the Behaviors Inspector:
Wave Shape: A pop-up menu that sets the shape of the oscillation’s wave. There are
four shapes:
Sine: The default wave shape, creates a smooth animation between values. For
example, if Oscillate is applied to an objects Opacity parameter, and the Wave
Shape is set to Sine, the object gracefully fades in and out.
Square: Creates abrupt changes in values. For example, when Oscillate is applied
to an object’s Opacity parameter, and the Wave Shape is set to Square, the object
flashes on and off (like turning a light switch on and off).
Sawtooth: Ramps upward over time and then drops sharply. For example, when
Oscillate is applied to an object’s Opacity parameter, and the Wave Shape is set to
Sawtooth, the object fades in slowly and fades out abruptly (like using a light dimmer
to fade up a light, and then flicking the power switch off).