Animate parameters in the Inspector

Animate parameters in the Inspector

Although you can animate basic object properties by dragging onscreen controls in the Canvas, many other parameters are accessible only in the Inspector. Each section of the Inspector contains keyframeable parameters. For example, you can animate the position and shape of a mask, the color and styles of a text object, or the options in a generator. The parameters that are keyframeable depend on which object is selected and which effects are applied to that object.

Animate parameters in the Inspector using the Record button

  1. In the Canvas, select the object to keyframe.

  2. Click the Record button (or press A) to turn on keyframe recording.

  3. Drag the playhead to the frame where you want the effect to begin.

  4. Open the Inspector containing the parameter you want to modify (the Filters Inspector, in this example).

    Note: When the Record button is turned on, animatable parameter values appear red. When the Record button is off, parameter values that have no keyframes remain a light shade of gray.

    Filters Inspector showing settings at starting point

  5. Set the parameter to the beginning value.

  6. Move the playhead to a new position.

  7. In the Inspector, change the parameter to a new value.

  8. Click the Record button (or press A) again to disable record.

    The parameter now changes over time.

Animate parameters in the Inspector by setting an initial keyframe (Record button is off)

  1. In the Canvas, select the object to keyframe.

  2. Place the playhead on the frame where you want the effect to begin.

  3. Open the Inspector containing to the parameter you want to modify.

  4. Set the parameter to the beginning value, then do one of the following:

    • Press Control-K.

    • In the Inspector, click the parameter’s Animation menu, then choose Add.

      Add Keyframe shortcut menu in Inspector

      Note: The Animation menu (a downward arrow) is hidden until you position the pointer over the far-right side of the parameter row you want to add a keyframe to.

    • In the Inspector, Control-click the parameter name, then choose Add from the shortcut menu.

    • In the Properties Inspector, click the parameter’s Add/Delete Keyframe button.

      Note: The Add/Delete Keyframe button (a plus sign in a gray diamond) is hidden until you position the pointer over the far-right side of the parameter row you want to add a keyframe to.

      Add/Delete Keyframe button in Inspector

      A keyframe is added at the current frame, and the parameter appears red in the Inspector.

  5. Move the playhead to a new position.

  6. In the Inspector, change the parameter to a new value.

    The parameter now changes over time.