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Chapter 21: Understanding Animation and Keyframes

Pasting the animation keys can be done as a Copy, an Instance, or a Wire. A Copy is independent; an
Instance ties the animation keys to the original copy so that they both are changed when either changes;
and a Wire lets one parameter control some other parameter.

Caution
To copy a parameter value, be sure to select and right-click the value. If you right-click the parameter’s spinner,
the value is set to 0. n
The right-click pop-up menu also includes commands to let you Edit a wired parameter, show the parame-
ter in the Track View, or show the parameter in the Parameter Wire dialog box.

Cross-Ref
Parameter wiring and the Parameter Wire dialog box are discussed in more detail in Chapter 34, “Using
Animation Layers, Modifiers, and Complex Controllers.” n

Deleting all object animation keys
Individual keys can be selected and deleted using the Track Bar or the right-click pop-up menu, but if an
object has many keys, this can be time consuming. To delete all animation keys for the selected object
quickly, choose the Animation ➪ Delete Selected Animation menu command.

Using the Track Bar

The Max interface includes a simple way to work with keys: with the Track Bar, which is situated directly
under the Time Slider. The Track Bar displays a rectangular marker for every key for the selected object.
These markers are color-coded, depending on the type of key. Position keys are red, rotation keys are
green, scale keys are blue, and parameter keys are dark gray.

Caution
In the Track View—Dope Sheet interface, position, rotation, and scale keys are red, green, and blue, but parame-
ter keys are yellow. n
The current frame also appears in the Track Bar as a light blue, transparent rectangle, as shown in Figure 21.5.
The icon at the left end of the Track Bar is the Open Mini Curve Editor button, which opens a mini Track View.
Cross-Ref

For more on the Track View interface, see Chapter 36, “Working with Function Curves in the Track View.” n

FIGURE 21.5
The Track Bar displays all keys for the selected object.
Keys

Open Track View Current frame Selected key

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