Moho Forum

Hi

I have a problem with the interpolation. I have created a new character and I'm using smart bones to control movements. However things keep reverting to step interpolation even though I have it set to linear. I have even tried deleting the smart bone and starting again making sure it is set to linear before I create the bone. This has fixed the interpolation of the actual bone, but the point translation of a layer still acts as though it's set to step! I'm very confused and sure it's got to be something glaringly obvious that I'm overlooking.

Please help as it's stopping me being able to actually create my character

Check the key interpolation for frame 0. It's the one thing I can think of that may have something to do with this. Also check all the keys interpolation. You may have a stray key somewhere but that's a long shot. Make sure that frame 1 doesn't have a step key.

Another thing to look at is how your smart bones are set up. If you put two keys right next to each other in a smart bone, it will create a "step" type animation result. This is the same on the main timeline as well. Make sure you don't have two keys adjacent (unless you want that).

Remember that step key interpolation works on the NEXT KEY FRAME. It has no effect on that key you set as step, or the previous key. A step key doesn't really have a clear visible effect until the time line hits the NEXT key after. For example a smooth key before a step key seems to behave normally. It transitions smoothly to the step key animation value.

If the key AFTER the step is smooth or "normal" you get that "step" type action... and it seems like "hey! That key is smooth! Why is it acting like a step key?!?". In reality it's the previous key that is causing the step. Some types of interpolation can effect both directions (before and after), like ease in/ease out or smooth, but step only effects the transition to the NEXT key frame.

If you have a step key on frame 0, your next key will not activate until it hits that exact key frame. If you have a step interpolation on frame 0, and then delete all other keys, your channel will not display any keys at all, but you still have a step key on frame 0. That interpolation will sit there hidden away until you create a key in that channel and then you will see on frame 0 you have a step interpolation.

This may or may not be relevant. I bring it up because even with a lot of years of experience, this has tripped me up in the past.

I have looked through every keyframe including frame 0 and it's still not working. I have even cleared all animation from the document but it's still doing it. In fact a blink action (on the blink smart bone) I had working well has now broken because the eye lashes have gone to a step interpolation action even though I didn't change anything! I tried opening it in the 32 bit version but it's the same. Here's a link to the file, can you see what is going on?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ulfl8ykzxd9i4id/Marie.anme

AHHHH! It was right in front of me! You were exactly right Heyvern but I missed it because I didn't individually inspect each keyframe. Although I moved the timeline slider thing (not sure on the official term for that) back to frame 0, the drop down remained on "linear". Therefore I assumed it was set as linear. However selecting and right clicking on the keyframe revealed it was actually set to step! Switching it back to linear fixed it. Well, every day's a school day!

petes80 wrote:AHHHH! It was right in front of me! You were exactly right Heyvern...

Yeehaa! Yes of course I was right! I am ALWAYS right. Just kidding. I make mistakes all the time trying to guess what these issues could be, but I enjoy it when I guess right.

The "drop down" for interpolation in the time line only changes the default interpolation for NEW key frames. It doesn't change existing key frames. Just an FYI.

Oh The Timeline Slider Thing™, yes they almost called it that but it wouldn't fit in the application interface . I think that's the Sequencer? Where you can slide the layer in the timeline. Yes, if you slide that "back" it can hide keys and also can hide the frame 0 key which could be step.

Glad you got it worked out.