Notes: Weed 3 (Jan 31)

 Reconnecting media

• Missing media will appear with a “color bars” symbol in the Project window. 
• To find all missing media, type “Missing” in the search bar of the Project window. 
• To reconnect media
• right-click on it in the Project window
• Replace Footage > File 

Rendering

• To export your animation, select the animation timeline and go to Composition > Make Movie 
• Make sure the work area of your timeline is set correctly (to adjust the work area, pull on the front or back handles of the “work area” bar at the top of the right side of the timeline) 
• Render Settings: 
• Output To: 
• make sure to set the correct output location and name your file 
• Render Settings: 
• set the appropriate Quality, Resolution and Time Span 
• Output Module: 
• Format: Quick Time Movie 
• Format Options > Compression Type: H264 
• Audio Output: make sure to turn it on!

Setting Keyframes

• Transform properties (and shortcuts): 
• anchor point (a)
• position (p)
• scale (s)
• rotation (r)
• opacity (t) 
• Keyframes are set at the position of the time-slider on the timeline. 
• Turn on the “stop watch” symbol (to the left of the transform property) to set the initial keyframe. Turning it off will remove all keyframes from a layer. 
• Subsequent keyframes can be set by positioning the time-slider over an empty/un-keyed area on the timeline and: 
• changing the value of the keyed transform property (left side of the timeline) 
• using the mouse/keyboard to manipulate the layer in the Composition window 
• New keyframes can also be added by clicking inside the “diamond” symbol to the left of the “stop watch” symbol. You will have to change the value of the transform property in order to see any results. 

Navigating keyframes

To navigate between keyframes:

• Use the left/right arrow to the left of the “stop watch” symbol, or 
• Position the time-slider over the desired keyframe (shift+drag the time slider to snap). 
• Use the shorcut keys “k” (forward) and “j” (backward) 

Moving keyframes on the timeline

• To move a keyframe, click and drag it across the timeline (shift+drag to snap to time-slider position) 
• To select/move multiple keyframes: 
• click near (not on) a keyframe and drag to expand the bounding box around the desired keyframes, or 
• shift-select multiple keyframes 
• To “squeeze” or “expand” a group of keyframes (in order to speed up/slow down the animation), select all keyframes of one or more transform properties, click and drag the first or last keyframe. Note: when selecting keyframes of multiple transform properties (or layers), make sure to click/drag the absolute first or last keyframe of the group

Changing Keyframe Values

• A value of a keyframe can be changed only when the time-slider is positioned directly over the keyframe. Otherwise, a new keyframe will be created. 
• Position the time-slider over the keyframe and enter a new value to the transform property, or use your mouse/keyboard to manipulate the layer in the Composition window. 
• To proportionally increase/decrease the value of multiple keyframes on the same transform property, select all keyframes, snap the time-slider to any of the selected keyframes, use the transform property values or the Composition window to enter changes

Useful keyframe shortcuts 

• “u” = reveal/close all keyframes 
• “j” and “k” = navigate between keyframes 
• “Shift + drag” = snap keyframe to time-slider or time-slider to keyframe 
• “Opt + a” = set keyframe to Anchor Point 
• “Opt + p” = set keyframe to Position 
• “Opt + s” = set keyframe to Scale 
• “Opt + r” = set keyframe to Rotation 
• “Opt + t” = set keyframe to Opacity 

Useful layer shortcuts 

• Select a layer and:
• “[“ or “]” = snap the beginning or the end of a layer to the time-slider 
• “Opt + [“ or “Opt + ]” = trim the beginning or end of the layer to the time-slider 
• “i” = time-slider snaps to the beginning of a selected layer 
• “o” = time slider snaps to the end of a selected layer 

Motion path

• A motion path’s controls are similar to a vector path 
• Use the pen tool to adjust motion path curves/bezier handles
• Good motion rule: fewer keyframes make better animation