9.5.2

1014 • CHAPTER 19
TIMELINE • 1015
Selections
Object, Track, Sequence, Key
Using these options, you can choose which types of animation elements can be selected and edited
in the Timeline. For example, if you want to be able to select and edit keys only, ensure that the Key
Selection option is enabled and the other selection options are disabled.
Vector
In the Timeline, a vector is a group of three closely related animation elements. For example, a position
vector is made up of X, Y and Z values; a color vector consists of R, G and B values, and a rotation
vector has values for H, P and B. When CINEMA 4D records a vector, three separate tracks are recorded,
one for each element. Thus when you record an object’s position, three tracks are created: one for the
X position, one for Y and the other for Z.
Figure 1: Before clicking
Position.X sequence.
Figure 2: Clicking
with Vector Selection
enabled.
Figure 3: Clicking
with Vector Selection
disabled.
If Vector Selection is enabled, when you select a vector element in the Timeline, the other two
elements that belong to the vector are also selected. For example, if you’ve recorded a position vector
(Figure 1, above) and you select the Position.X sequence, the Position.Y and Position.Z sequences are
also selected (Figure 2). If, on the other hand, the Vector Selection option is disabled and you click
the Position.X sequence, only that sequence will be selected (Figure 3).
Similarly, if the option is enabled and you select a Position.X key at, say, frame 50, the Position.Y and
Position.Z keys at frame 50 will also be selected if present. The Vector Selection option is useful if you
want to move all three vector elements without having to select them all individually.
Arrange Mode
This command works in manual mode only.
When the arrange mode is active, objects can be freely rearranged in the Timeline, allowing you to
even change the hierarchy completely without affecting the hierarchy in the Object manager. However,
note that you can’t edit keys or tracks while the arrange mode is active. As soon as the arrange mode
is activated, the mouse pointer changes to a hand instead of the usual arrow.
Making one object a sub object of another using the arrange mode doesn’t mean that recording
keyframes for the parent object in the Timeline records keyframes for the child as well. To record
keyframes for an entire hierarchy, in the Object manager, select the parent object and choose
Edit > Select Children before you record. Alternatively, use a Selection object and autokeying.