Function Curves
By default, when a drawing layer or peg is added to a scene, no function curves are created. You will generally create the ones needed to avoid being overloaded with too many functions you might not use.
When you select an element in the Camera view and move it around, it will automatically create the corresponding function curves. If you need to create certain functions manually, you can always do it through the Layer Properties view or editor. You can then share it with other layer parameters or set your keyframes directly on the function curve instead of the Timeline or Camera view.
You can also link a layer's parameter to an existing function curve or attach several parameters to the same function curve. For example, if you have an aircraft performing loops between clouds, you may want the camera to follow the aircraft's motion path. If you attach the camera to the aircraft's layer, the camera will also loop, but this may produce undesirable results and even induce a feeling of motion sickness as you watch the final animation. Instead, you can share the X, Y and Z position of the aircraft with the camera's peg layer, but ignore the angle, scale and skew.
By default all the function curves you create are private. This means that the function curves can only be used and modified using their original parameter. If you want another layer or parameter to use the same function curve, you must make the function public by sharing it.
There are two ways to share a function:
|
•
|
Share Functions command |
|
•
|
Layer Properties Editor |
When you create a function curve in the Layer Properties view or editor, there are several choices available:
|
•
|
Create 3D Path: Creates a new 3D Path Column set |
|
•
|
Create Bezier: Creates a new Bezier curve |
|
•
|
Create Ease: Creates a new Ease curve |
|
•
|
Local: Disconnects the parameter from any function and turns it public |
|
•
|
3D Path: Displays the list of every public 3D Path function available |
|
•
|
Bezier: Displays the list of every public Bezier curve available |
|
•
|
Ease: Displays the list of every public Ease curve available |
|
•
|
Velobased: Displays the list of every public velocity based curve available |
|
•
|
Expression: Displays the list of every public Expression function available |
|
•
|
3D Rotation: Displays the list of every public 3D Rotation function available |
|
•
|
Connected: Displays the list of every public connected function curve |
|
•
|
Unconnected: Displays the list of every public unconnected function curve |
|
•
|
All: Displays the list of every public function curve |
You have the choice of creating a new function curve or linking it to an existing public one. This way, you can have two or more parameters following the same function.
Depending on your favourite working method, you can create different types of function curves to suit your needs.
You have several choices available:
When you create a function to control a parameter over time (Scale, X, Y, Z, Rotate), you have the choice of an Ease or Bezier function.
These function editors present different ways of editing the values over time. The shape of the created graph indicates the velocity of the function, regardless of the chosen editor. The type of function that you choose is largely based on your working preference.
With the Ease editor, you can edit the shape of the function curves using the ease-in and ease-out controls.
You can also create Velobased functions for certain effects, like changes in rotation or size over time. In these cases, the Velobased functions are linked to the velocity of a 3D path. You cannot change the shape of a Velobased function to control its velocity.
With Velobased functions, you can link changes in rotation or scaling to the velocity of a 3D path. This makes it possible for changes in rotation or scaling to progress at the same speed as changes to the position of an element.
You can convert Ease and Bezier functions so you can edit them using the controls offered by that type of function.
How to create the function curves
|
1.
|
In the Timeline view, double-click on a layer. |
The Layer Properties Editor opens.
|
2.
|
Select the Transformation tab. |
|
3.
|
Click the Function Arrow button beside the local function information. |
|
4.
|
Create a 3D Path, Bezier, Ease or Velobased curve. You can also create an Expression column—see Expression Columns. |
You can click the Function button to open the Function editor.
How to share a function using the Share Functions command
|
1.
|
In the Timeline view, select the function layer to share. |
|
2.
|
Right-click and select Share Functions. |
The function becomes public to the other layers and parameters, and can be shared.
Public functions are visible in the main section of the Xsheet view.
|
3.
|
In the Timeline view, open the Layer Properties editor of the layer that contains the parameters you want to link to the public function. |
|
4.
|
To open the Layer Properties editor, in the Timeline view, double-click on the layer containing the function to share or click once to display it in the Layer Properties view. |
The Layer Properties Editor opens.
|
5.
|
Select the Transformation tab. |
|
6.
|
Click the Function Arrow button beside the function you want to link to the function column. |
|
7.
|
From the menu, select the function you just made public from the 3D Path, Bezier, Ease, Velobased, Expression, Connected, Unconnected, or All menu and attach it to your parameter. |
The two parameters are now both linked to the same function curve and should follow the same path. If you modify the curve, both parameters will update.
How to share function curves
|
1.
|
To open the Layer Properties editor, in the Timeline view, double-click on the layer containing the function to share or click once to display it in the Layer Properties view. |
|
2.
|
Select the Transformation tab. |
|
3.
|
Click the Function Arrow button beside the function to share. |
|
4.
|
In the drop-down menu, select Local. |
|
5.
|
Click the Function Arrow button beside the Function field and choose a function from the drop-down menu. |
The function becomes public to the other layers and parameters, and can be shared.
Public functions are visible in the main section of the Xsheet view.
|
6.
|
In the same drop-down menu, where you chose the Local option (in our example), select the function you just made public from the 3D Path, Bezier, Ease, Velobased, Expression, 3D Path, Connected, Unconnected or All menu and attach it to your parameter. |
|
7.
|
In the Timeline view, open the Layer Properties editor of the other layer that contains the parameters you want to link to the public function. |
|
8.
|
In the Layer Properties editor or view, attach the parameter to the public function the same way you did for the first layer. |
The two parameters are both linked to the same function curve and follow the same path. If you modify the curve, both parameters will update.