The animation module supports the user on managing and on the creation of animation sequences within VRED. It is accessible from its related button within the quick access bar.
After the activation it comes up with the clip maker window that is tiled into two main areas. On the left side, there is a list view of all scene contained clips; when a clip is selected in the list view, it shows a block within the timeline on the right.
An animation wizard is on top of the left side; it helps to create object and material animations easily.
The animation wizard provides help in three different self-explaining modes.
Object
Material
Object and Material
Before clicking the NEXT button, select the node that should be animated within the scenegraph or/ and the material module. If nothing is selected a warning appears.
On top the animation wizard's main window, it´s possible to rename the animation.
Below the animation title the start time, duration and the interpolation mode could be set for the current animation.
Start time: Sets the moment that the animation starts on replay within the clip maker.
Duration: Controls the total length of the animation.
Interpolation Mode: Determines velocity on animation playback. Linear results in a constant animation; Ease In/Out reduces velocity on beginning or/and at the end of the animation.
The initial state of the animation is captured on clicking the Capture Start button. A thumbnail image helps to distinguish the different states at a glance. After either moving the geometry or the changing the material, click Capture End to store the final state of the animation.
The preview button enables replaying the animation within the render view. Reset preview sets the animation to the initial state.
Select Open Clip Manager When Finished to open the clip manager automatically on finish confirmation.
Numerical input fields on top of the timeline enable you to adjust the moment of start, the length of the animation, and how often to repeat on replay. These settings are adopted on duplicated clips.
All animation clips (also camera animations from its module) are present within the list on the left side of the window. The checkbox in front of every item activates/deactivates the clip.
A single left mouse button click selects a clip and shows it within the timeline. A double click with left mouse button enables renaming. Drag clips to rearrange them within the list.
To lock settings against any change, select the checkbox right besides the clip name.
The context menu from the list view of the clips provides several commands like copy, paste, duplicate :
Starts to replay the animation.
Sets animation´s objects to its initial state.
Executed on an existing clip it´s creates a sub clip below the selection. If no clip is selected on execution the new clip appears on the top level.
Copies the selected clip to clipboard.
Pastes clipboard contained clip into the desired location.
Creates an independent copy of the clip.
Same as duplicate in addition with reversing the animation clip.
Removes the selected clip.
Enables you to rename the clip.
Provides further clip information.
The timeline view provides several tracks for the arrangement of animation clips. Every block represents one animation sequence; drag them within the timeline to rearranged them. Areas at the beginning and at the end of every block enable you to shift the related moment within the timeline. Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out of the timeline.
Right-click a clip within the timeline to open its context menu:
Starts to replay the animation.
Sets animation´s objects to its initial state.
Animation clips with checkbox enabled are considered on replay.
To lock the animation's settings and moment against any change, select the checkbox.
Reverses the related clip on animation replay.
Motion blur is the streaking of an object that appears because of rapid movement or long exposure. Feature is enabled by default.
Generates an independent copy of the selected clip. It pastes the new clip into the track that is located below the track that contains the source clip. Populates the numerical input fields on top of the module with the moment when the animation starts and the duration.
Same behavior as duplicate but it reverses the animation clip on replay.
Removes the related clip from the module.
Shows associated animation curves in the curve editor.
Provides further clip information.
At the lower left corner of the module’s window three buttons provide quick access to usual commands:
Opens create menu that provides features to create a clip, an animation, or a variant. The creation and functionality of a variant itself is described within the regarding chapter. The use of a variant inside the animation module enables you to switch to another state of a variant in an appropriate moment within the timeline. Only preconfigured variants from the variants module are selectable on creation.
Maximizes the Zooms factor to show all animations from the before selected clip completely within the timeline view.
Removes the before selected clip from the animation module.