Animation Module - Simple UI

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.

Wizard

The animation wizard provides help in three different self-explaining modes.

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.

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.

Animation parameters

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.

List view

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.

Context menu from list view

The context menu from the list view of the clips provides several commands like copy, paste, duplicate :

Play

Starts to replay the animation.

Reset

Sets animation´s objects to its initial state.

New clip

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.

Copy

Copies the selected clip to clipboard.

Paste

Pastes clipboard contained clip into the desired location.

Duplicate

Creates an independent copy of the clip.

Duplicate Flipped

Same as duplicate in addition with reversing the animation clip.

Delete

Removes the selected clip.

Rename

Enables you to rename the clip.

Information

Provides further clip information.

Timeline view

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.

Context menu from timeline view

Right-click a clip within the timeline to open its context menu:

Play

Starts to replay the animation.

Reset

Sets animation´s objects to its initial state.

Active

Animation clips with checkbox enabled are considered on replay.

Lock

To lock the animation's settings and moment against any change, select the checkbox.

Flipped

Reverses the related clip on animation replay.

Motion Blur

Motion blur is the streaking of an object that appears because of rapid movement or long exposure. Feature is enabled by default.

Duplicate

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.

Duplicate Flipped

Same behavior as duplicate but it reverses the animation clip on replay.

Delete

Removes the related clip from the module.

Show source

Shows associated animation curves in the curve editor.

Info

Provides further clip information.

Icons bar within the Animation module

At the lower left corner of the module’s window three buttons provide quick access to usual commands:

Plus

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.

Frame objects in window

Maximizes the Zooms factor to show all animations from the before selected clip completely within the timeline view.

Delete

Removes the before selected clip from the animation module.