---
title: "Key Properties"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/CKPLA-ID_CKEY_PROPERTIES.html"
section_path: "Animate > Timeline > Menu > Create > Add Special Tracks > Keys and Special Keys > PLA Key > Example"
element_id: "CKPLA"
group_id: "ID_CKEY_PROPERTIES"
description: "This option fixes the key at the current time and thus protects it against unintentional movement, for example."
---

## Key Properties

### Key Time

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_TIME`

The key is shown in this frame of the animation.

### Lock Time

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_LOCK_T`

This option fixes the key at the current time and thus protects it against unintentional movement, for example.

### Breakdown Color

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_BREAKDOWNCOLOR`

See [Breakdown Color](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/CKVALUE-ID_VKEY_PROPERTIES.html.md).

### Mute

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_MUTE`

This mutes the key, which means that none of the stored values of these keys are evaluated in the time intervals between these muted keys. Instead, the values of the neighboring keys that are not **muted** continue to be evaluated. The effect is therefore as if the muted keys were not there at all. This can be used, for example, to temporarily deactivate the secondary movements of an animation in order to concentrate on the key poses of the remaining active keys and, for example, to be able to fundamentally examine their timing.

### Breakdown

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_BREAKDOWN`

See [Breakdown](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/CKVALUE-ID_VKEY_PROPERTIES.html.md).

### Bias

Parameter ID: `CK_PLA_BIAS` · Range: [-100..100%]

![Image: 012833.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/012833.jpg)\
From top to bottom, the effects of the Bias values 40, 0 and -100 on the interpolation between two keys are shown here as an example.

This controls the interpolation between the keys. You can use the **Bias** to speed up or slow down the morphing between the keys. However, this does not affect the fundamentally linear interpolation of the position or tangent values, but only their transition over time. The following video also shows this in comparison.

[Video: PLA_Keys_Bias_Interpolation.mp4](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/PLA_Keys_Bias_Interpolation.mp4)

Here, PLA keys with identical times and values were used for the point positions and tangents on three splines. The only difference is the differently configured **Bias**values for the keys. Positive values were used above, which means that the properties of the following key are achieved more quickly. Negative **Bias**values were used below, which means that the values saved in the previous key are retained for longer. In the middle, a **Bias** of 0% was used for comparison.

### Smooth

Parameter ID: `CK_PLA_CUBIC`

Normally, only neighboring keys are interpolated. If you activate the **Soft** option, any existing keys before and after it will be taken into account. This makes the movement more harmonious and organic.

[Video: PLA_Keys_Soft_Interpolation.mp4](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/PLA_Keys_Soft_Interpolation.mp4)

PLA keys were used here for the point positions and tangents of a spline. The **Soft**option for the keys is deactivated at the top and activated at the bottom.

# Example

PLA animation is also known as 'vertex animation'.

![Image: 012834.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/012834.jpg)\
Switch to PLA recording mode and create PLA keys at different times (the auto-keying mode is marked in red). Head: © Bunk Timmer

For example, if you want this face to raise an eyebrow, proceed as follows:

1. Select the corresponding points or polygons and create a PLA key.
2. Move the time slider to another time. Then move the corresponding points/polygons and create another PLA key. Done. As soon as you run the animation, the right eyebrow is raised mockingly. Of course, you can also have the figure open its mouth, pull out its ear or play other mischievous tricks.

You can also use [Autokeying](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/10640.html.md) to save yourself extra clicks on the record button. In addition, no selection of points or polygons on the object is required to record the keys. The [Magnet](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/TOOLMAGNET.html.md) or [Brush](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/TOOLBRUSH.html.md) tools can therefore also be used for shaping, for example.