How do I switch the order of multiple grouped layers while animating in the mainline?

[Ty505]

Let's say for example I want to move groupA below groupB while animating in the main line, but it doesn't apply - how would I get that to work?

[Lukas]

Layer order can only be animated within groups, so group them together in Group C and enable animated layer order on Group C. Now you can animate A over B and vice versa.

[Ty505]

Layer order can only be animated within groups, so group them together in Group C and enable animated layer order on Group C. Now you can animate A over B and vice versa.

It only seems to partially work. it doesn't allow me to let's say have groupB above groupA between frames 24 - 48, and then switch to groupB below groupA on frames 50 - 60

Also, no keyframes are placed on the timeline when doing this.

[Greenlaw]

Let's say for example I want to move groupA below groupB while animating in the main line, but it doesn't apply - how would I get that to work?

Do you mean you are unable to change the order of the group/layers? If so, are you also using a Smart Bone Action to control Animated Layer Order? If yes, that's the problem: a Smart Bone Action that controls Animated Layer Order will always take precedence over manually keyframing Animated Layer Order. This is why I don't recommend a Smart Bone Action to control Animated Layer Order...it's too restricting. A more flexible approach is to simulate animated layer order by duplicating the layers you want to control and use the Smart Bone to control their visibility instead. Now you can use the Smart Bone to animate their layer positions (through visibility) and still be able to manually keyframe Animated Layer Order for other layers and new layers.

If that's not it, you'll need to provide more info and maybe some images.

[Greenlaw]

Here's an obvious question: Do you have Animated Layer Order enabled for the group? To check this, double-click the group and click the Depth Sort tab. Is the Enable Animated Layer Order option checked? If it's not checked and applied, you can't keyframe this property.

If you do have this enabled, sorry, had to ask to eliminate the possibility.

Also, the keyframes for animated layer order appear in the timeline only for the group that has this enabled, so be sure you have this group layer selected. If you need to see these keyframe while working with keyframes in other layers (like in the bones layer,) then enable Timeline Visibility for this group layer.

[Ty505]

Here's an obvious question: Do you have Animated Layer Order enabled for the group? To check this, double-click the group and click the Depth Sort tab. Is the Enable Animated Layer Order option checked? If it's not checked and applied, you can't keyframe this property.

If you do have this enabled, sorry, had to ask to eliminate the possibility.

Also, the keyframes animated layer order appear only the group that has this enabled, so be sure you have this group layer selected. If you need to see these keyframe while working with keyframes in other layers (like in the bones layer,) then enable Timeline Visibility for this group layer.

It works now! I mixed up "Allow Animated Layer Effects" with "Enable Animated Layer Order" - didn't realize that was an option, I'm still new to the program. Thanks a ton!

[Greenlaw]

Cool! Glad you got that, um, sorted out.