9.5.2

996 • CHAPTER 19
TIMELINE • 997
Smooth
By default, the interpolation affects the curve only after each key. However, if Smooth is enabled, the
interpolation inuences the curve before and after each key, resulting in a smoother motion.
New Track > PLA
This track lets you animate the points of polygon objects and splines. Primitives and spline primitives
must be made editable using the Make Editable command before you can use them with PLA (Point
Level Animation).
Use a key to record the positions of all points belonging to the selected object. This method enables
you to animate changes in the shape of objects or splines. The advantage of the PLA track over the
similar Morph track is that with PLA you don’t have to create target objects.
Example
 If you want to follow through this example for yourself in CINEMA 4D, you’ll
need a textured face with the texture UV mapped.
 Select the Polygons tool in the left toolbar and select the eyebrow’s surfaces
(see Figure 1, below). You do not have to be in point mode in order to use PLA.
After all, polygon mode allows you to effectively move points (the points that
belong to the selected polygons).
 First we need a starting key to record the current position of the eyebrow’s
surfaces. Add a PLA track to the object (File > New Track > PLA).
 If you were to Ctrl-click the PLA sequence, the current position of the eyebrow
at this frame would be recorded. However, the process is quicker if you use the
PLA icon instead. You can then record keys either automatically (autokeying)
for the selected object or set the keys manually using the Record button.
 The eyebrow is already in its starting position. Record the rst key. Drag the
time slider to frame 30, move the eyebrow up slightly, as shown in Figure 2,
then record a new key.
Figure 1: Select the surfaces of the
eyebrow.
Figure 2: Move the eyebrow surfaces up
slightly.