uniform scale keyframes curve editing...

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Level 1

35 points

uniform scale keyframes curve editing...

So I'm brand new to Apple Motion but I've been animating for decades. I'm well versed in Maya and Flash back in the day. I'm simply trying to scale an image uniformly. I've set keys at two points and then I want to adjust the scale curve to polish up the ease on it. I've hit the diamond next to scale but it seems to always set 3 individual keys on x, y and z. This wouldn't be a problem except that when I go to adjust the curves they're all a bit different. I want to edit one scale curve for at least x and y so that I don't have 2 (or 3) curves with varying slopes causing the image squash and stretch as it scales as the curves have slightly different slopes.

I would think uniform scaling and editing of the curves would be basic stuff for motion. I found this article (Can I scale uniformly using the keyframe editor?)but I'm less interested in linking the scale parameters together and more interested in a uniform scale that can have it's animation curve edited while locking the proportions of the image. Make sense?!

Help! (if you can!)

Posted on Dec 16, 2015 10:11 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 20, 2015 5:55 PM in response to AaronZisman

Here's how I do it in the keyframe editor via drag select:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/55104577/kf.mov

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Answer 2

AaronZisman Author

Level 1

35 points

Dec 20, 2015 6:07 PM in response to schmackhaft

That was great thanks! Very cool to do a quick vid.

So it worked great for one section I was able to drag select all three curves and scale identically BUT the other curve I was applying a scale to is spaghetti. At some point I must've pulled one of the axis' bezier handles and now no matter what the handles for the curves are different lengths and angles.

I've tried a million times to drag select the keys and change interpolation to linear, constant, etc. but whenever I switch back to bezier (after literally selecting every other interpolation method) it always remembers the different angles and lengths of the beziers. I've right clicked on the handles and I can align and break tangents but no resetting of the curve.

If I'm not too much of a PITA, do you know how to reset bezier curve handles in the keyframe editor?

APPLE, if you're listening, big IF, the keyframe editor is pretty sweet but a uniform scale attribute is pretty much mandatory for animation. Period. Talk to your friends at Pixar.

For rotation and position it makes sense to have independent axis' animation curves but for scale to not have a uniform scale attribute...what's the thought process? Look how animators work!

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Answer 3

fox_m

Level 6

13,282 points

Dec 25, 2015 5:08 PM in response to AaronZisman

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by uniform scaling... If you set the X scale to 25% the Y to 50% and Z to 100% then use the Scale (master) control and set it at 400%, then X becomes 100%, Y becomes 200% and Z becomes 400%... how is that not uniform?

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Answer 4

Dec 28, 2015 10:56 AM in response to fox_m

fox_m wrote:

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by uniform scaling...

In the keyframe editor, where the OP is trying to make precise adjustments to the beliers, it's difficult to select both x and y keyframes (and know they're selected). I find this frustrating, too, invariably, even if I turn off all the rest of the parameter graphs, I only grab the x value.

Unless you tell it differently, After Effects assumes you want to adjust both x and y uniformly, at the same time. Motion assumes x and y are separate parameters. Perhaps there's a way to link x and y? Never looked.

Over on FCP.co, the OP posted the same inquiry. I was the only one who responded suggested he start playing with behaviors.

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Answer 5

AaronZisman Author

Level 1

35 points

Dec 28, 2015 12:44 PM in response to fox_m

Yeah, I'm at the point now where the bezier curves are different shapes because the handles for the different curves axis' are different angles and lengths. There doesn't appear to be any way to reset curve weights like in Maya, AE, etc. BUT, I'm very new to this and yes, linking seems possible but I'd expect more from bread and butter keyframing from Apple. Am I expecting too much? Reseting curve weights would be xmas all over again...

Sorry to take so long respond, traveling for the holidays delayed me from responding. Thanks again for the help, both of you.

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Answer 6

fox_m

Level 6

13,282 points

Dec 28, 2015 5:09 PM in response to AaronZisman

Ok... I think I see where you're coming from (figuratively speaking.) I didn't really get it before because I really do not use the keyframe editor very often. When I keyframe scale, I usually just keyframe the Scale (master) parameter... but I will have occasional need for transforming the "ease" or other animation of the progression between two scales. People have different ways of editing... whatever you're more comfortable with!

Schmackhaft's method is one of the easiest ways. There's no audio, so in explanation, you can make a multiple selection of the X,Y and/or Z (which doesn't matter for a 2D image) parameters in the list in the left column, and any changes you make to one curve is automatically matched in the second selected curve **EVEN IF** the second curve is not perfectly aligned to the first. [PS - you can uncheck parameters to remove their curves from the editor window and get them out of your way.]

The next method is to right click on the Y parameter and Add Behavior > Link. Drag the object to be keyframed (or already keyframed) into the Source Object well, then for the Source Parameter, select Compatible Parameters > Properties > Tranform > Scale > X from the dropdown menu. Now, keyframe ONLY the X parameter. Whatever alterations you make to the X scale parameter will be copied (linked) by the Y parameter. No matter what you do, the Y scale will always equal the X scale. (...and this just scratches the surface.)

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