Keyframes getting added automatically

terrypin wrote on 11/28/2014, 11:17 AM

I place an image on the timeline and move and size it. I do not apply a KF.

I then work in the Size/Position dialog, changing numbers in the Left and Width boxes, sometimes several times. Again, I never click the KF button.

But at some point MEP 2014 adds a KF at the start (sometimes more than one, each hidden behind the other) without my blessing. Why?

I appreciate that after adding the first KF, automatic addition of subsequent KFs is a handy feature. But am I right that this should not happen otherwise?

If I then delete the KF with the 'X' button, the image loses the manual sizing/positioning I'd applied. And as soon as I then try to adjust that by dragging, a KF returns, this time consistently.

The only way I can restore the original state is to Reset video effects, and then drag again. But sooner or later (I haven't pinned it down) I'll find one or more of my images have an unwanted KF again.

Any insights please?

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 11/29/2014, 6:25 AM

Hi Terry

Good question !

I have seen this occur rarely so I think it may be happening because you are using a different technique to me.

I always put a KF at the beginning of an object before applying any more KF along the object.

As an example - start at 1/4 screen and position it top left, hold for 2 secs and then have it move and go full screen I do the following (ignoring any transitions etc):

Select object
Place KF at the beginning of the object
Add a KF
Change Top, Left and width settings to place image 1/4 size top left
Move the cursor to the 2 sec mark
Add another KF.
Move the cursor to the end of the object
Add another KF
Set the Top, Left and width settings Iin that order) to display full screen.
Deselect the object

I have found it is too easy to add additional KF where I do not want them if I switch between effects without first 'setting' the changes by pressing the Enter key for example after setting the width as above

HTH

John

terrypin wrote on 11/29/2014, 7:03 AM

Hi John,

AFAICS, that's exactly the way I work with KFs too!

But in this case I'm deliberately not adding KFs until I've finished working with the numbers.

(The context is the Sliding Objects thread. I've moved on from using a spreadsheet to doing it all with a macro script. So my macro is copying from and pasting to the boxes. When that's satisfactory, and only then, I apply the KF by clicking the diamond. The marker is not being moved from its extreme LH position throughout all this.)

Since I posted, I've been trying to spot exactly when the unwanted KF appears, but it's elusive!

johnebaker wrote on 11/29/2014, 11:04 AM

Hi Terry

. . . . trying to spot exactly when the unwanted KF appears . . . .

Unfortunately I cannot replicate this on demand

Everything I try will not create a duplicate KF, and that includes double and triple clicking on the diamond !

. . . . So my macro is copying from and pasting to the boxes . . .

Copying from where ? Is it stepping through a spreadsheet picking up the values and dropping them into the boxes.

Out of curiosity what version number are you up to?

John

browj2 wrote on 11/29/2014, 1:27 PM

Hi Terry and John,

I had wondered about this too, until I noticed that no kf is added until I do it by clicking on the diamond. If I go to Size/position and start changing the values by typing or sliding or dragging, irrespective of where the playback marker is set along the object, no kf is created. Entering a value and using tab or enter just goes to the next box or enters the value, respectively.

However, as soon as I enter a kf, any subsequent changes are either applied to the kf at the location of the playback marker, or a new kf is automatically created at the location of the playback marker. Note that adding a kf with one of the other Size/position effects, such as rotation, initiates the kf mode.

In the first case, this is to be able to apply the effect to the entire object without the need for a kf. In the second case, once a kf has been created, the mode changes, so you have to be aware of this.

But here is another proble since you mentioned duplicate kf's at the same location. Put a kf at the beginning. Move playback to the right. Zoom way in to see this effect clearly. A kf is created. Drag it over the beginning kf and set the playback at the beginning. You see the initial size. Zoom in to single frame on the kf timeline. Use the right arrow key to move 1 frame and you see the zoomed in image. Note that the playback marker moved 1 frame, but the kf diamond is still at the beginning. Now try to move the kf. Can't be done. Delete the kf using the X and you will see that the initial kf is deleted, not the one that was slid over. You may have to put the playback marker at the beginning and reselect the kf to delete it, even though it is still highlighted. You cannot move either kf until one has been deleted.

This should be remembered if you have a kf at the beginning and then decide to move another kf with different parameters over the first one. The first one is still there and you will have an incorrect first frame.

Do you get this too?

johnebaker wrote on 11/29/2014, 5:45 PM

@ John CB

. . . . Zoom way in to see this effect clearly. A kf is created.. . . .

Is this created at the position ot the KF cursor?

John

terrypin wrote on 11/29/2014, 9:28 PM

Do you get this too?

Yes. It's an example of what I meant in the thread 'Sliding a set of objects', when I said

"It's all too easy to accidentally add unwanted KFs that get completely hidden behind an existing one."