How to Auto-Record Keyframes in Motion.
By Estelle MacDonald
The record keyframes button allows you to animate freely. You can animate while playing or with the playhead paused.
First, let's set up a project
1. Press Command + option + W to close any currently open projects.
2. Press command + N to open a new project and choose DV NTSC from the pop up window.
3. Add some text. Choose the text icon in the canvas or use the keyboard shortcut T.
Click somewhere in the canvas and type some text press the escape key to enclose the text box.
4. Select the Mark Menu > Recording Options (Option + A).
There are 3 Recording options available. Let’s look at them in turn.
5. Off: No thinning is applied. Keyframes are applied at every frame where the parameter
is changed. Select off and click ok
6. Go to your project window and press the keyboard shortcut for record keyframes A or click on the red button on the far left hand side of the transport controls.
7. Turn off loop playback. Shift + L
8. Turn off loop playback. Shift + L
9. Press command + z to undo
10. Select the Mark Menu > Recording Options or press Option + A and select Reduced.
Reduced: Motion eliminates keyframes that can easily be replaced with a simple curve.
11. Make sure your Record button is still active, press play and move your text.
Less Keyframes!
Let's take a look at the last option
12. Press command + z to undo.
13. Select the Mark menu > Recording Options or press option + A and select Peaks only.
Peaks Only: Only keyframes with dramatic value changes are recorded.
14. Press play and move your text again.
Quite Dramatic!
Disabling While Playing
With the record button on keyframes are added whenever you make adjustments in the canvas. You can disable recording keyframes while playing by checking the box in the recording options dialog box.
1. Select the Mark Menu > Recording Options or press option + A.
2. Check the “Don’t Record keyframes during playback” checkbox.
Only when the playhead is parked will keyframes be added.
3. Try this option. Place your playhead at the beginning of the text object, select the text and give it a jiggle. A keyframe has been added. (Make sure your record keyframes button is activated – press A to activate).
