Beginners question: See several layers simultaneously?

[straffax]

Hi, when testing I have learned that only the selected layers keyframes are visible in the timeline.

This is sometimes good for clarity, but what about when you want to see several layers simultaneously?

For example: I have done a nice movement that involves keyframes on three layers. Now I want that whole movement to come a second later instead, so I just want to move all the keyframes involved on all three layers to a second later in the timeline.

[Genete]

so I just want to move all the keyframes involved on all three layers to a second later in the timeline.

Use the sequencer and move those three layers one second later.
-G

[dueyftw]

Move the keys one second down the time line. Make a key on frame one to keep anything from happening before the original first key on the time line Group the layers. Turn off visibility for one second then turn it back on for the group if you want the layers to just appear one second later.

Dale

[straffax]

The sequencer moves the entire layer.
I just want to move a little part of the animation.

I'll try to be clearer:

Let's say I have a lot of animation on the first 5 seconds.
Then on 6:00 the character raises his head, blinks and flaps his ears.
This movement involves 20 keyframes on six layers.
I'm not satisfied with the timing and want to move just those 20 keyframes on six layers to a later point, say 6:15.

Now I have to activate every layer and move keyframes, without being able to see where the keyframes on other layers are.
But I just want to mark this whole movement and nudge those selected keyframes a bit.

[SvenFoster]

there is a 'nudge' script that may help..

viewtopic.php?t=17405

look for 'Nudge Key Toolset '

[neon22]

Alas being able to see, select, and move keys on several channels is a feature that AS currently doesn't have.

I position the timeline cursor as a visual reference for where the (say) start of the keys need to go.
Then select the first layer - move the keys by sliding them,
Select the next layer - slide those keys,
and so on for each subsequent layer.

But if they have to be cut and pasted (to get past intermediate keys) its a very time consuming process.

Also - and perhaps more importantly - you can't see the relationship between keys in other channels.

The end result is we are inhibited from making more complex multi-layer keyed relationships to avoid complications like this.


In other software the solution can take several forms.
I favour these:

• allow the timeline to be split horizontally to show different layers - with their keys. Each one on top of the next, aligned on the timeline.
• allow multi-selection of layers and show each layer's keys in a horizontal slice.
• for hierarchical layers that are 'under' each other - show each one in a nested box (similar to the sequencer). These can then be opened to see the relevant keys.
• allow a key to be linked to another on the timeline - implying that moving one of the linked keys - moves all linked keys
  • allow these links to also hold relative offsets.
  • E.g. a key on one channel is linked to a key on another which takes place 6 frames later.

[straffax]

Thanks neon22, that was a very clear answer.

This was unfortunate, as it is a huge drawback for the software.
This is a very basic and important function when animating.

It would also be very easy to implement - multi selection of layers could be as easy as just ctrl-clicking the layers you want to see.

Let's hope this will be implemented soon!