end offset for grow shrink behavior

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Level 2

227 points

end offset for grow shrink behavior

I want my grow shrink behavior to stop mid way (not keep growing throughout.)

The way I understand it.. if I want to zoom in.. keep at that level, then zoom out later.. I need to make 2 grow shrink behaviors, have them start where the grow/shrink begins.. and then continue them out the entire length of the project. I need help figuring out the offset end value.. what does this number setting correspond to? is it a frame number for the whole project? How do i choose this number so that the grow/shrink behavior stops at the place I need it to? Will the number change if i shorten the length of the grow shrink behavior, move the end, or place the behavior in a different place? Is there a way to zoom in... keep at a particular zoom level... zoom back out.. all with the same behavior? I find grow shrink behavior very difficult in comparison with the motion path behavior.. thanks

imac flat screen, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Apr 1, 2009 11:12 AM

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Answer 1

Andy Neil

Level 4

3,795 points

Apr 1, 2009 1:00 PM in response to Dale Garber

The number in the End Offset corresponds to the number of frames from the end of the behavior. If you place a clip in the timeline that's 3 seconds long (90 frames) and apply the grow/shrink behavior with the end offset at 30, then the behavior will stop growing 2 seconds into the clip. If you lenghten the clip to 4 seconds, then the behavior will stop at the 3 second mark, because it'll always stop 30 frames before the END of the clip.

The best way to get your head around this is to place your clip and apply the behavior. Then move the playhead to the frame you want to stop growing. Hit CMD+8 to open up the Keyframe editor and with that window open, adjust the slider for the End Offset. You'll see a graphical representation of the stopping point for your behavior.

Hope this helps.

Andy

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Answer 2

Apr 1, 2009 2:09 PM in response to Andy Neil

I generally tell folks that if they want any kind of animation to start and stop, it's much easier to use keyframes instead of behaviors. Behaviors are great for ongoing animation (moving, scaling, rotating, oscillating, wriggling, etc.) But if you want something to fly on the screen, stop, then fly off, or anything like that, just record keyframes - so much easier.

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Answer 3

Dale Garber Author

Level 2

227 points

Apr 1, 2009 4:04 PM in response to Andy Neil

thank you.. very helpful...

I thought I'd try to learn to use the behaviors instead of keyframing because I find it difficult to start a keyframe in the middle.. When I add the first keyframe everything before it changes where the behavior starts working right at the point. I also find it difficult to adjust keyframes without messing up something early on..

Is there an easy way to set the first keyframe with the keyframe recorder on. and not change everything before it? I always set a keyframe with a very slight movement.. then set another keyframe right after it as a workaround.

thanks

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Answer 4

Andy Neil

Level 4

3,795 points

Apr 1, 2009 4:17 PM in response to Dale Garber

OPT+click the parameter's animation menu (the little dash to the right of the parameter) to set a keyframe. This can be done with or without the Record Keyframes mode on.

I don't understand your problem with keyframes. If you set a keyframe in the middle of the clip, there won't be any affect to the frames BEFORE that keyframe unless you've already got keyframes in there at the beginning.

Perhaps you can offer up a step by step explanation of your problem, because the principles of keyframing in Motion are the same as any other program.

andy

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Answer 5

Dale Garber Author

Level 2

227 points

Apr 1, 2009 5:20 PM in response to Andy Neil

It is the same problem in motion as in other programs.. Lets say I have a photo that is supposed to stay motionless until 5 secs in, then from 5 secs to 10 secs its supposed to move across the screen, then stop again. If i turn on the key frame editor at the 5s point.. move to the 10s point and move the photo... the photo moves from the beginning and not from the 5 s in point. Thats what I mean by changing what happens before the first key frame. (Using a motion path at starting at the 5s mark starts the motion at the 5 sec point and not the beginning..) How do I get the photo to stay motionless from the 0 to 5 second point using keyframes?

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Answer 6

Andy Neil

Level 4

3,795 points

Apr 1, 2009 6:02 PM in response to Dale Garber

It's because you didn't actually set a keyframe at the 5 sec mark. If you hit A to turn on Record keyframes, that doesn't actually set a keyframe. It will just record keyframes from that point on.

To set your first keyframe, place the playhead where you want the animation to begin (5 sec mark). Go to your position parameter (or whatever parameter you're trying to affect) and OPT+click the animation menu (the dash icon to the right). Then turn on Record keyframes (A). Move the playhead to the 10 sec spot and just move your layer.

The layer will remain motionless from 0 to 5 and then move from 5 to 10.

Andy

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