Animating the Camera

T-HFND-009-009

A scene's camera can be manipulated and animated just like any other layer. It is listed in the Timeline view and you can use the same tools and selection modes to offset or animate it. However, the camera layer itself is static, which means it keeps the same position and angle throughout the whole scene. In order to be able to animate the camera, you need to connect it to a peg layer, which can be animated, and which will directly affect the position and angle of the camera.

You can animate your camera movements directly in the Camera view. Alternatively, you can use the Side or Top views, which can be especially useful when animating a camera in a multiplane scene, where each layer is positioned at a different distance from the camera, or if your scene contains 3D models.

  1. In the Timeline view, select the Camera layer

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  1. In the Layers toolbar, click the Add Peg button.

    A Peg layer appears directly above the Camera layer and is automatically attached to it.

  1. In the Node view, select the Camera node.

  2. Press Ctrl + P (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + P (macOS).

    A peg node is instantly created and attached as the parent of the Camera node.

  1. In the Tools toolbar, ifAnimate Off or Animate Onion Skin Range mode is selected, click on it to open the Animate pop-up menu and select Animate Current Frame.
  1. In the Tools toolbar, select the Transform tool or press Shift + T.
  1. On the right side of the Timeline view, on the Camera peg layer, select the frame at which you want the camera movement to start.

  1. Do one of the following to add a keyframe:

    • In the Timeline toolbar, click the Add Keyframe button.
    • Right-click and select Add Keyframe.
    • Press F6.

A keyframe appears in that cell. Any frames preceding this keyframe cell will hold the same camera position as this keyframe.

  1. In the Camera, Top or Side view, manipulate the camera so that it is in the right position at the beginning of your camera movement.

    TIP

    To make a 3D camera movement, you can manipulate the Camera in the Top or Side view, in which it appears as a cone.

  1. On the Timeline view, click on the cell where the camera movement will end.

  1. Do one of the following:

    • In the Timeline toolbar, click the Add Keyframe button.
    • Right-click and select Add Keyframe.
    • Press F6.

A keyframe appears in that cell.

  1. In the Camera, Top or Side view, manipulate the camera so that it is in the right position for the end of your camera movement.

  1. In the Timeline view, select the first frame to rewind to the beginning of your animation.
  1. In the Playback toolbar, click on the Play button to preview your animation.