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Working with Light Animations in 2D View

2D View Window

Path edits are clearly distinguished from key frame edits.

This concerns the paths for cameras, lights and objects, as well as the relevant pop-up menus.

Editing Paths

The light path is in yellow.

• Use the Edit Path tool in the window bar to select the mode.



• Button pressed: Path editor is active (as a result, the key frame editor is inactive in the view).



• Button released: Key frame editor is active (as a result, the path is visible but cannot be edited).

Example

Creating the Path



• In mode, move the light source.

• This draws a yellow path in a straight line.

• White dots circled in gray indicate the start and end points that have tangents.

• The tangent handles are indicated by red dots circled in black.

Moving the Path

• Click on the path and move it.

Editing the Path

• Use the handles to graphically edit the tangents.



Adding a Control Point



• Right clicking on the yellow path line and selecting "Add Control Point" displays a gray circle and a tangent with two editing handles.



Result:

To Edit a Portion of the Tangent at a Point:



• Right click on the point or on an "Unlock Tangent" item handle to create an inflection point in the path.



Result:

To Delete the Inflection Point:



• Select "Lock Tangent".



Result:

Example: Pausing and Resuming

Example: Forwards and Backwards

Extending the Path

Extends the path without altering the existing animation.

• Alt+Click on the last control point created for the path.

Example

NB: The Timeline can be used to play the sequence at any time.

Path Edit Pop-up Menu

• Right clicking on the yellow path displays a pop-up menu with the following options:



• Add Control Point: Adds an editable point to the path.

• Delete Control Point: Deletes the point from the path (except the end points).

• Close Path: Closes the path.

• Open Path: Re-opens the path.

• Delete Path: Deletes the path.

Example: Closing a Path

• Right clicking on a control point or tangent handle displays a pop-up menu with the following options:



• Lock Tangent: To delete an inflection point.

• Unlock Tangent: To create an inflection point. This makes it possible to create an inflection point to handle sections of the tangents independently.

Editing Key Frames

NB 1: You must be in record mode in order to edit elements in the Timeline.

Example: Creating and Editing a Key Frame in 2D View

Key Frame Edit Pop-up Menu:

• Add Key Frame: Adds a key frame.

• Remove Key Frame: Deletes a key frame.

Adding a key image

• In mode, the button is released (not active).

• In the Timeline window, click on record in 2D view, right click the path, select "Add Key Frame" from the pop-up menu.





This creates the key frame.

The key frame can be moved graphically on the path, making it possible to speed up, slow down, etc.

NB: A key frame selected in 2D View appears with a red pin on the Timeline. A pause can be created in the movement of the element by duplicating a key frame in the Timeline.

Key Frame Edit Pop-up Menu

This displays and/or hides paths in order to improve editing in 2D View.

• Right clicking on the white background of the 2D window displays the following pop-up menu, which makes it easier to edit in 2D View, as well as display and hide paths.



• Show All: Displays all camera, light and object paths.

• Show Only Current Type Elements: Depending on which inspector is active (Animations, Lights or Objects), this option displays all camera, light or object paths.

• Show Only Current Element: displays only the path currently being edited.