Rotating Elements

When you open your elements for the first time in the Camera View, the images appear at the angle at which you initially drew them.

You can rotate all of the contents in an element using the Rotate tool. The rotation can be as simple as changing the element’s angle so it appears to move up or downhill, or as complex as a skateboarder performing acrobatics as he rotates through the air.

When you rotate an element, it rotates around the rotation pivot point. With the Rotate tool, you can even change the rotation pivot point, to create different rotation effects.

To rotate an element over time, you must attach it to a peg.

To rotate an element using the Rotate tool:

1. Select the element you want to rotate using one of the following methods:

Select the element in the Timeline window.
Select Tools > Sceneplanning Tools > Select or click the Select tool on the Scene Operation Tools toolbar and click the element in the Camera View window.

2. Select Tools > Sceneplanning Tools > Rotate or click the Rotate tool in the Scene Operation Tools toolbar. The rotation range appears on the element as a circle.

3. In the Camera View window, drag the rotation handle (on the outer ring) until the element is at the new angle.

As you change the element’s angle of rotation, the value appears in the Rotation field of the Properties dialog box.

To rotate an element by entering specific values:

1. Select the element you want to rotate using one of the following methods:

Select the element in the Timeline window.
Select Tools > Sceneplanning Tools > Select or click the Select tool on the Scene Operation Tools toolbar and click the element in the Camera View window.

2. Select Window > Show Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.

3. Type the angle value in the Rotation field in the Properties dialog box.

You can enter a negative value (to rotate to the left) or a positive value (to rotate to the right).