Adding Motion Points to a Motion Path

If you want to create a motion path that is not straight, you must add motion points to your motion path.

Motion points can be either keyframes or control points. Keyframes are locked to a specific frame number and control points are not locked.

Add keyframes when you want to lock the position of the motion path to a specific drawing or image in an element to a position.
Add control points when you want your element to reach a specific position, but you don’t need it to do so at a specific frame.

Then you can use the Motion tool to move the motion points and change the shape of the motion path.


	You cannot add control points to constant segments on motion paths. This is because constant segments do not interpolate (tween) changes in position, rotation or scaling between frames.

To add a motion point to a motion path:

1. Select a peg element in the Timeline window. The peg appears in all View windows. You can hide other elements to make it easier to identify and modify pegs.

2. Select Tools > Sceneplanning Tools > Motion. This activates the Motion tool.

3. Place the pointer over the motion path of the peg and decide which type of motion point you want to add.

Press [Option] and click the motion path to add a keyframe. The mouse pointer becomes a square when it is over a spot where you can add a keyframe. A red point appears on the motion path after you click.
Press [Shift] and click the motion path to add a control point. The mouse pointer becomes a diamond when it is over a spot where you can add a control point. A green point appears on the motion path after you click.

4. Drag the new point to a position where you want the motion path to be at that point. To nudge a motion point, you can also use the arrow keys. Press [Shift] if you want to move the motion point in larger increments.

If you added a control point, notice how it changes position on the motion path. This is because the control point is not locked to a specific time frame.
If you added a keyframe, notice how it remains at the frame you added it to. This is because the keyframe is locked at a specific time frame.