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Known Participant
October 19, 2022
Open for Voting

Hold key to move/rotate object (relatively) without creating keyframe

  • October 19, 2022
  • 5 replies
  • 570 views

Im sure im not the first one asking for it and i wont be the last.

 

Why is the process of moving or rotating an object with existing position or rotation keyframes such a hassle? You need to create a null, position the null at the pivot point of the object and parent the object to the null in order to move or rotate such an object.

 

How about holding a key that will temporarily disable the creation of a keyframe when dragging or rotating an object?

 

Dont tell me thats impossible to implement

5 replies

Nana5CCCAuthor
Known Participant
October 21, 2022

@Martin Vigas Yep. I didnt want to make my post too long but basically that would have been the second option which (as you said) as also a hassle. I tend to click the property, open the graph editor and select all keyframes i need to move, and do it there since i use it in "edit value graph"-mode. Still a hasstle.

Nana5CCCAuthor
Known Participant
October 21, 2022

@Mylenium well ive seen crazier and more complex things as plugins or scripts. This should actually be a relatively small effort for the developers. I imagine it as: Holding down the key while clicking and dragging an object would bind the object to the mouse position as if you were to just click and drag a null this object was bound to and as soon as you let go, the null would be deleted.

 

I have 2 extensions installed that have a feature to create a null and bind the selected object to it immediately.. its almost there already (would only need a hotkey instead of a UI button and a "delete this null" function when the left mouse button is released) If they can do it.. Adobe can do it.

Inspiring
October 21, 2022

You can also apply changes by selecting the attribute in the dropdown menu (position/rotation), which will select all keyframes and you can apply the change to all keyframes at once without creating null. But make sure you have time indicator on a keyframe, otherwise it will create a new one.

 

But that said, it is still a hassle and i like your idea. That the new function would basically in the background create a new keyframe, select all keyframes, apply the change and delete the new keyframe. Upvoted.

JohnColombo17100380
Community Manager
Community Manager
October 19, 2022

Hi @Nana5CCC,

Thanks for making this request. If I understand correctly, it seems like you are requesting a dedicated mode for repositioning/reorienting an animated layer at all points in time? I could certainly see how that would be useful and allow you to avoid the additional step of creating a Null for the same task.

 

Thanks again for making this request,

- John, After Effects Engineering Team 

Mylenium
Legend
October 19, 2022

How would you "temporarily disable" the keyframes without breaking the logic of the animation? How should existing keyframes honor your modifications? I can't see how that would ever work without completely messing things up...

 

Mylenium