KF animating challenge

johnebaker wrote on 5/15/2014, 2:01 PM

Hi Terry

. . . . If anyone has mastered a reliable technique for doing this sort of thing I'd much appreciate a heads up please. . . . .

I don't think there is one technique which works best, however this is the order I follow

- set the route up first - if you want the route to appear as it is travelled then you need an appropriate mask and route image - see red line in example video below and note the mask shape in the image

- add the moving object eg car and add start and end position keyframes only.

- then using a halfing technique I place keyframes along the route ie in this position of the route 1/2, 1/4, 3/4, 1/8, 3/8, 5/8, 7/8 and so on splitting each pair of KFs as necessary until the car object follows the route smoothly.

- add the turning movements at the positions required.

Does the car have to rotate? - in the example below I use a 'comic' car for a bit of fun and there is no need for rotation it.

Here is an image of the timeline - note the odd shaped mask - this was created in this shape to allow for rotation as well as linear movement.

Hires version here

The example video was for a class trip to Germany wine tasting!

HTH

John

terrypin wrote on 5/16/2014, 2:59 AM

Hi John,

Thanks for that.

Yes, I too often use symbols which don't need rotation. A plain solid circle is the obvious example. Even circles with simple icons like these can be useful:

But I'm really focusing here on tracks which twist around a lot, when I want to use a more graphic symbol such as a hiker, car, bus, etc. As I said, it's the rotation KFs that take the most time to get right. Particularly if I try to do it with small symbols and use the new rotation handle. That seems 'trigger happy' and usually results in wild spinning! In fact I've settled for now on using the number boxes directly instead.

I don't usually bother with masks. For walks (90% of my KFAs) I'm either content to show the full track or animate it using the GE time slider.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

Scenestealer wrote on 5/16/2014, 5:08 AM

Hi Terry

You probably do this already but for size / postion / rotation of small objects you can enlarge the preview monitor to full screen with a double click for more accuracy with the handles.

Peter

terrypin wrote on 5/16/2014, 8:51 AM

Hi Peter,

Thanks, yes, that's what I normally do. Fine for position, but rotation remains very tricky!

Or for better quality: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/MEP2014-RotationAdjustment.jpg

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Terry, East Grinstead, UK

johnebaker wrote on 5/16/2014, 3:02 PM

Hi Terry

Like you I use the number boxes for rotation - takes a little practice but after you have done a few hundred of them you get very good a guessing the first angle setting !

John

Scenestealer wrote on 5/16/2014, 7:23 PM

Hi Terry

Don't forget you have another 400% enlargement available in the dropdown at the bottom of the preview monitor. Seems to give a pretty fine rotation adjustment here.

Peter

browj2 wrote on 5/16/2014, 10:18 PM

Hi Terry,

Great fun, but time-consuming. Magix is selling PhotoStory with Vasco da Gama 7 HD Pro for 60$.

Here is the last quick and dirty one I did:

Hope this works.

terrypin wrote on 5/17/2014, 4:05 AM

Hi Terry

Don't forget you have another 400% enlargement available in the dropdown at the bottom of the preview monitor. Seems to give a pretty fine rotation adjustment here.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Can you amplify please? I don't see such a dropdown in either normal or full screen mode. Maybe a screenshot?

P.S. Any thoughts on my effects display post please? No way I want to re-install just for this, but it's driving me nuts

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

terrypin wrote on 5/17/2014, 4:08 AM

Hope this works.

Hi John,

Yesterday it was an empty space but OK this morning. Smooth!

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

Scenestealer wrote on 5/18/2014, 6:38 AM

Hi Terry

Can you amplify please? I don't see such a dropdown in either normal or full screen mode. Maybe a screenshot?

It is the little triangle at the bottom far right, next to the 100% symbol, of either screen. Same line as the jog wheel.

Peter

terrypin wrote on 5/18/2014, 7:25 AM

Well I'm darned! Never thought that did anything other than change the speed, which I never use.

Thanks a bunch, Peter.

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Terry, East Grinstead, UK