Function Editor

The Function Editor uses plotlines (graphs) to represent changes to properties over time. With the Function Editor, you can map the values of an effect over a set number of frames.

Along the x-axis (horizontal axis) are the frame numbers.
Along the y-axis (vertical axis) are the values for the effect you are editing (rotation, horizontal and vertical scale, velocity, field-of-view, motion path and pivot path).

When you edit the function for rotation, scale and field-of-view, the shape of the Function Editor represents the velocity of the effect.

When you edit the function of a motion or pivot point path, you map the motion of a peg in a 3-dimensional space or a pivot point in 2-dimensional space, one dimension at a time. When you are working with these two functions, you must select the dimension you want to work on.

For example, let's say that you want your character to jump up and down in place. It would be difficult to create a jumping motion path in the Sceneplanning View windows because the path would repeat on top of itself. To create a jumping motion, it would be easier to edit the motion path of the peg using the Function Editor.

You can modify the shape of the plotline by:

Using the options in the Tools panel.

Applying the reshape functions in the Reshape menu.
Selecting a curve type in the Curve Type menu, which is only available from the HScale and VScale functions.
Adding and manipulating keyframes and control points on the plotline.
Moving the left and right handles of points on the plotline.

When you change the shape of the plotline, you can create effects such as ease-in or ease-out. Changes you make to the curve are reflected in the Function Values panel.

When you are editing motion or pivot paths, you must select the axis you want to edit (North/South button, East/West button or Front/Back button) from the Projection panel.

Because each projection represents different views of the same motion path, changes you make using control points in the plotline in any of these views affects- the curves of the other plotlines.