Previous Document Next Document

Animation > Recording animation keys > Animating parameters

Animating parameters


You can animate most parameters in AXEL. For example, animate material transparency, color; or the angle of a pin joint. To animate a parameter, you record keys for that parameter.

AXEL uses interpolation to determine the state of the object in between the recorded keys.

To animate a parameter:
  1. Turn off Play and go to the time where you want the animation to start.
  2. In the World Explorer, select the parameter you want to animate.
  3. Choose Animation > Add Animation Sequence, or turn on Record ( ), or press Ctrl+K.
  4. An animation sequence appears in the Sequencer. Notice the first key.

  5. Make sure Record is on, go to another time, and adjust the parameter.
  6. This creates another key.

  7. Repeat step 4 to record additional keys.
  8. To preview the result, drag the playhead to the start and click Play.
To animate position, rotation, or scale:
  1. Turn off Play and go to the time where you want the animation to start.
  2. Turn on a Translate ( ), Scale ( ), or Rotate ( ), and select the object you want to animate.
  3. Choose Animation > Add Animation Sequence, or turn on Record ( ), or press Ctrl+K.
  4. This creates an animation sequence and a first key. If the Translate button is on, it creates a position animation. If the Rotate button is on, it creates a rotation animation, if the Scale button is on, it creates a scale animation.

  5. To record another key, go to another time, and drag the object in a viewport.
  6. To preview the result, drag the playhead to the start and click Play.
Example: Animating the scale of a sphere
  1. Turn off Play, turn off Record, and go to time 0.
  2. Select the sphere.
  3. Turn on the Scale button ( ).
  4. Choose Animation > Add Animation Sequence.
  5. An animation sequence appears in the Sequencer.

  6. Go to time 2 and scale the sphere.
  7. A new key appears in the Sequencer.

  8. Go to time 4 and scale the sphere again to add another key.
  9. To preview the animation, scrub the Sequencer or go to time 0 and turn on Play.
  10. Continue adding keys until you are pleased with the animation and then turn off Record to avoid adding keys by mistake.

See also:

Editing animation keys

Editing animation parameters

Recording animation during playback

Previous Document Next Document