Using Keyframes
Adjusting motion path curves and corners" in Chapter 15. Final Cut Express has two types of keyframe graphs: clip overlays and motion paths. Clip overlays (or keyframe overlays ) are displayed as line graphs right on top of the track display in the Timeline (Figure 14.5 ) and over the waveform display on the Viewer's Audio tab. Keyframe overlays indicate clip opacity (for video clips) and volume level and stereo pan position (for audio clips).
Figure 14.5. Clip overlays are displayed as line graphs right on top of the track display in the Timeline. The overlay in this figure controls opacity. Corner-style keyframes appear at the beginning of the clip; a curve-type keyframe with Bézier handles appears at the clip's end. Hide and show level line overlays by clicking the Clip Overlays button in the lower-left corner of the Timeline.
For more information, see "Working with keyframes in the Timeline" later in this chapter. Motion keyframes are set and sculpted in the Image+Wireframe display in the Canvas (Figure 14.6 ) or in the Viewer. Enable Image+Wireframe mode, and a wireframe overlay appears on your clip image. This wireframe overlay features controls you can use to graphically manipulate the size, shape, and position of your clip's image. Image+Wireframe mode is the best mode to use to manipulate a clip's motion properties and to create motion paths.
Figure 14.6. Motion keyframes appear on the wireframe overlay in the Canvas (or the Viewer) when Image+Wireframe mode is enabled.
For information on working with motion keyframes, see Chapter 15, "Motion."
Keyframe navigation shortcuts
Table 14.1 shows keyboard shortcuts for jumping forward and backward through a series of keyframes and for adding a motion keyframe. These keyboard shortcuts work for the Timeline's clip overlays and the Canvas's wireframe overlay. These shortcuts will boost your speed and accuracy and are highly recommended.
Table 14.1. Keyboard Shortcuts for Keyframes Go to Next Keyframe | Shift-K | Go to Previous Keyframe | Option-K | Add Motion Keyframe | Control-K |
Precision control of a keyframe's positioning
Even in a compact screen layout, FCE offers a variety of techniques to help you get a grip on your keyframe's positioning: On the effect's Viewer tab, use the incremental controls (the tiny arrows at either end of the effect parameter control sliders) to nudge values by +1 or by 1, or enter an exact numeric value in the parameter's text field. In the Timeline or the Viewer, hold down the Command key while you drag a keyframe. This enables gear-down dragging, which allows you to move the keyframe in precise increments. Shift-drag to change both the value and the keyframe's point in time simultaneously (Figure 14.7 ).
Figure 14.7. Shift-drag the keyframe to change both the value and the keyframe's point in time simultaneously.
To set keyframes at precise intervals, use timecode entry to jump the Timeline or Canvas playhead by a precise number of frames (Figure 14.8 ); then add your keyframe.
Figure 14.8. Enter timecode values to set keyframes at frame-accurate intervals.
Working with keyframes in the Timeline
You can edit and adjust keyframes in the Timeline's keyframe overlay. These graphs are overlaid on top of the track display in the Timeline. Video clips display the clip opacity level; audio clips display the volume level and stereo pan position. To display keyframe overlays in the Timeline:
Figure 14.9 ).
Figure 14.9. Click the Clip Overlays control in the Timeline window to toggle the display of keyframe overlays.
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To add an overlay keyframe to a track:
1. | From the Tool palette, select the Pen tool. |
2. | On the selected clip's keyframe overlay graph, click where you want to place the keyframe (Figure 14.10 ).
Figure 14.10. Use the Pen tool to add a keyframe to a clip's keyframe overlay graph.
A new keyframe is added to the overlay. |
Tips
| Any time you're working with the Selection tool, the fastest way to a Pen tool is to press Option. The Selection tool switches to Pen tool mode as long as you're holding down the Option key. Did you just add one keyframe too many? Press Option, and your Pen tool toggles to Pen Delete mode. Click that extra keyframe to delete it; then release the Option key.
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To adjust the values of individual overlay keyframes:
Do one of the following:
Figure 14.11 ).
Figure 14.11. A tooltip displaying the current level updates as you adjust the keyframe.
- Using the Selection tool, drag the level line between two overlay keyframes to adjust its position.
- Using the Pen tool, Shift-drag the level line between two overlay keyframes to adjust its position.
To delete overlay keyframes:
Do one of the following: