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

[Nana5CCC]

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

[Mylenium]

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

[JohnColombo]

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 

[Martin Vigas]

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.

[Nana5CCC]

@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.

[Nana5CCC]

@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.