Creating a Motion Path

When you keyframe a layer's position, its movement is represented by a motion path that you can easily manipulate to control the animation. The simplest form of motion path is a straight line between two keyframes.

However, you can add complexity (and realism) to movement by adjusting the shape of the motion path between keyframes using the tangent handles.

Use the motion path to visualize the movement of a layer and compare it to background elements. For example, using the motion path you can easily align the movement of a composited boat with an aerial photograph of a meandering river.

Edit the motion path to modify the layer's direction of movement. You can also align layers to a motion path. For more information, see Aligning Layers Along a Motion Path.

There are procedures for applying a motion path to a layer in a composite and to an object in Paint.

To create a motion path for a layer in a composite:

1. In the Workspace panel, select the layer you want to animate.
2. Enable the Animate button (A).
3. Use the playback controls to move to the first frame (or press Home).

The motion path starts here.

4. Click the Toolbar tab, and then click the Arrow tool .
5. In the active viewport, drag the selected layer to its starting position.
6. Use the playback controls to move to the frame where you want to create a second keyframe. See Playback Controls.
7. Drag the layer to its new location (you can also rotate, scale, or adjust any other channel).

A keyframe is created, and the layer's motion path appears.

8. Advance (or go back) to another frame, and move the layer again to create another keyframe.
9. Continue adding keyframes until you achieve a result you like.

The keyframes are joined by a motion path.



Also, curves are automatically applied to the motion path to create smooth motion.

Note: The shape of the motion path between keyframes depends on the interpolation method. For more information, see Setting an Interpolation Method.

To create a motion path for an object in Paint:

1. In the Timeline list or the active viewport, select the object you want to animate (Paint, mask, or selection objects). See Timeline List.

Note: This procedure is also applicable for objects in mask and selection operators.

2. Use the playback controls to move to the first frame (or press Home).

The motion path starts here.

3. Click the Toolbar tab, and then click the Arrow tool .
4. Enable the Animate button (A).
5. In the active viewport, drag the selected object to its starting position.
6. Use the playback controls to go to the frame where you want to create a second keyframe.
7. Drag the object to its new location (you can also rotate, scale, or adjust any other object category).

A keyframe is created, and the object's motion path appears.



8. Advance (or go back) to another frame, and move the object again to create another keyframe.
9. Continue adding keyframes until you achieve a result you like.