Motion Path Tool
When using the 2D Transform Tool, selecting several animated layers will show multiple Motion Paths at the same time.
- You can click on control points to change trajectories
- You can select several control points at the same time by pressing the shift key
However, drawing a selection rectangle by clicking in the empty space will cancel the current layer selection. The 2D Transform Tool's primary purpose is to manage selecting and moving layers.
The Motion Path Tool, available in the vertical bar on the left in the Viewer, displays the Motion Paths of the selected layers without the Transformation Widget to focus strictly on trajectories.
With this tool, you can edit Motion Paths for several layers at the same time, select several points with a selection rectangle, and modify layer speed using dedicated tools.
Selection Process in the Motion Path Tool
In the Motion Path Tool, the selection rectangle is used to select control points, not layers.
To select the layers you want to work on, you can:
- Switch to the 2D Transform Tool and make a selection rectangle before switching back to the Motion Path Tool
- Select layers in the Timeline
- In the Motion Path Tool, click on a layer, then add layers to the selection by pressing shift
You can move a layer using the Motion Path Tool, but the Transformation Widget will not be displayed.
Adjusting Several Trajectories, Even During Playback:
Once layers have been selected, Motion Paths can be adjusted. You can select points from several Motion Paths at the same time to move them.
The Select All Keyframes on Path function, already available in the 2D Transform Tool, is also accessible in the Motion Path Tool.
You can also add points and edit Motion Path tangents:
- The alt/opt key adds a point to the path and defines new tangents
- The ctrl/cmd key breaks tangents
This adjustment can be done live during playback. By setting the Work Areas before starting playback in Loop mode, you can tweak your animation very quickly.
Depending on the complexity of a project and computer performance, temporarily disabling some rendering options in the Viewer, such as Motion Blur, makes it easier to adjust Motion Paths live.
Easing Tools
While still in Motion Path Tool, after selecting one or more Motion Path control points, the Ease In and Ease Out options in the Viewer's top bar can be used to manage layer acceleration and deceleration along the path.
These tools are directly linked to the Retime Graph, which should be displayed in parallel for better understanding.
- Ease In: modifies the length of the current Motion Path control point's right tangent, by adjusting its Right Amount value
- Ease Out: changes the length of the next Motion Path control point's left tangent, by tweaking its Left Amount value
To adjust the Easing of the selected point(s) even more quickly:
- Press the e key to adjust both the Right Amount of the current control point and the Left Amount of the next point
- Press the shift + e key to adjust the Right Amount of the current control point
- Press alt + e to adjust the Left Amount of the next control point
Using one of these shortcuts will prevent your mouse cursor from leaving the Viewer frame. To exit these temporary modes, press the esc key.