Moho Forum

For some reason, i expected that if i create a 6 frame animation from frame 1 on a sub layer, and then switched to it on frame 7 of the main timeline, it would run from there... but it seems to do nothing unless i go to the sublayer and move its animation to frame 7 too...

...if this is always the case, its actually counterintuitive for using switch layers for sections of 'trad' style animation - in a way you only need to switch when the shape tween can no longer be achieved using the same shape (i.e. on my water example in the 'splash!!! HELP ME SOMEONE!!!!!!' thread where the single mass turns to multiple water beads)

Having to switch as well as move the frames in the sub layer to the right frame seems odd... you may as well jsut have normal layers with visibility switching on and off... should switch layers only be used for single frame sublayers? maybe i'm just used to flash's way of starting sub layers from their keyframe on the main timeline regardless of where it is...

...could a toggle for syncing be scripted? or would it have to be a function of the program?

...am i just being difficult?

I never even thought about this before.

I suppose some kind of workaround might be achieved using a "cycle" interpolation on the key frames of the switch sublayers. This would only work if you key the switch exactly on the right spot.

Another option is to use actions!!
Hey this might actually do the trick!

Instead of putting the point motion in the switch sub layer directly put it in an action, then it can be applied at any point in the animation.

Just create a separate action for each switch sub layer and apply it when that switch is keyed.

This could also lead to a scripted solution. A layer script on a switch could automatically apply the action to the selected switch layer when a key is set in the timeline. Changing or removing the keys would still need to be done by hand.

This is an intriguing idea though. Having the key frames of a switch sub layer only start when the layer is keyed. This could be a feature request.

-vern

Animation in the layers of the switch layers acts as the sublayers were normal vector layers. The switch layer only toogle its visibility through the timeline. And if they have the same amount of points then smooth interpolation can be done. In fact (regardless on the smooth interpolation)a switch layer is like a bone layer were you can only can see one layer each time.
If you want to achieve animation with the sublayers (point or bone animation) just create actions. The action can do every task: insert the switch keyframe and make the animation.

-G

GRRRR: again heyvern was quicker!

Thanks Vern,
Yeah i sorta came up with the actions solution, but i wasnt sure whether i was missing something

its probably not worth scripting that, as it will save only 1 click - and also using actions means you can have different actions triggered when you key a switch (for, say, reverse interpolation?)



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Edit: Thanks Genete, i replied same time as you Thats good thinking though, having the action also switch the layer - that was one step ahead of me

Genete wrote: GRRRR: again heyvern was quicker!

I drink a LOT of coffee! Caffeine makes me FAAAAST!

I'm drinking it right now.

-vern