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Patchwork 3D 2024 X7

Advanced Configuration

Advanced configuration of a channel animation clip handles the animation of multiple channels at once. It also gives you direct control over the temporal development of the animation using points placed along a graph representing time on the X axis and the range of animation of the part on the Y axis. This produces a curve representing the development of a given channel over time. Each channel has its own curve.

The Y-axis is expressed in the default units for the selected channel:

  • in the Patchwork 3D default units for translation and other distances,

  • in degrees for rotation and other angles,

  • in whole numbers from 0 to 255 for colors,

  • in decimal numbers between the minimum and maximum values for other parameters such as intensity,

  • in 0 (disabled) or 1 (enabled) for the state of a binary parameter.

At the top of the editor, a text field displays the name of the clip. It can be edited directly in this field. Use the Enter key to validate your changes.

The operations toolbar above the graph provides the following tools:

Icon

Function

Description

image274.png

Selection

Use this mode to select points placed along the curve.

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Pan

In this mode, the mouse is used to move the curve so as to display the section you are interested in. This does not change the scale of the graph.

image276.png

Zoom

In this mode, the mouse is used to zoom in or out on the curve, changing the scale of the graph.

curve_editor_add_1.png

New key frame

In this mode, clicking places a new key frame along the curve.

Tip

A new key frame can also be added by holding down Alt and clicking when using any of the modes to select and move key frames (see below).

curve_editor_select_and_move_vertically_1.png

Select and change value

Dragging a key frame changes the value, but not the time. You can also provide a exact value in the Value field.

curve_editor_select_and_move_horizontally_1.png

Select and change time

Dragging a key frame changes the time of the point, but not the value that has been set. You can also provide a exact value in the Time field.

curve_editor_select_and_move_1.png

Select and move

Dragging a key frame changes the time and the value. You can also provide its exact time and value in the corresponding fields.

Note

For any two key frames, increasing the time (horizontal distance) between them will make the animation slower. Increasing the difference in values (vertical distance) will make the change more pronounced.

curve_editor_show_key_frame_editor_1.png

Key Frames editor

Provides access to the key frame options:

  • Current key frame,

  • curve_editor_select_previous_key_frame_1.png Previous key frame,

  • curve_editor_select_next_key_frame_1.png Next key frame,

  • Key frame Time (horizontal position),

  • Key frame Value (vertical position),

  • The variations of a channel's value between two successive key points over time are represented by curves. The forms of the curves to the Left and to the Right of a key frame can be one of the following types:

    • Curve type curve_bezier_1.png (default),

    • Linear curve_linear_1.png type,

    • Step typecurve_step_1.png.

The form chosen at a key point for the curve to the left of the point is applied to all of the curve starting from the previous key frame. Likewise, the form chosen at a key point for the curve to the right of the point is applied to all of the curve until the next key frame. If another form was previously applied at a different key point for the same segment of curve, it will be overridden by the current choice.

curve_editor_capture_channel_1.png

Capture current values

Places new key frames at the time cursor position for each of the selected channels. Each key frame is positioned at the current value for its channel in the active viewport.

choose_color_1.png

Capture RGB values

When the curves for the R, G, and B channels of a color parameter are selected, this button appears. It can be used to open the color picker, in which you can select a color for the parameter. Once the choice of a new color has been validated, the new R, G, and B values are placed at the time cursor's position on the corresponding curves. If key points do not already exist at this location, they will be created for the new values.

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Channel Selector

Allows you to modify the channels used in this clip.

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Zoom to fit

Zoom to adjust the scale to fill the display area with the curve, vertically and horizontally.

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Zoom to fit (selection)

Zoom to adjust the scale so that the selected key frame and curve segments fill the display area.

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Zoom to fit (horizontal)

Zoom to adjust the scale so that length (time) of the curve fills the display area.

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Zoom to fit (vertical)

Zoom to adjust the scale so that the height (changes in position or orientation) of the curve fills the display area.

To the left of the graph, the list of all of the available curves is displayed. By default, all of the curves are selected. Modify the selection by clicking on the names of the curves. Only the selected curves are visible on the graph.

The color of a curve can be customized. Right-click on name of the curve and choose Change curve color to open the color chooser.

Tip

To check the name of a curve on the graph, hover over it with the mouse cursor. Its name will be displayed in the information bar at the bottom of the main window.

Below the graph, you have options to provide the maximum duration in seconds of the animation, and an indicator of the cursor's current position in the Mouse at field.

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