1. Type Command-Comma to open Motion Preferences.

2. In the Appearance pane of Motion Preferences, select or deselect the Dynamic Tool Info checkbox.

   When you select Dynamic Tool Info, the status bar appears above the Canvas whenever you adjust a layer by dragging in the Canvas. For example, when you scale an object in the Canvas, the width and height values are displayed in the status bar.

Some motion graphics projects require you to match or align colors in your project. The status bar can provide visual and numeric information about the color of the pixel under the pointer, as well as the value of the alpha channel. No clicking is necessary—as you move the pointer over the Canvas, the status bar updates.

1. In the Appearance pane of Motion Preferences, select the Color checkbox.

2. Choose a color format from the Display Color As pop-up menu:

   • RGB: The red, green, blue, and alpha components of the color are represented in values from 0–1. Super-white values can exceed the 0–1 value range.

   • RGB (percent): The red, green, blue, and alpha components of the color are represented in values from 1–100.

   • HSV: The hue is represented in values from 1–360, and the saturation and value (luminance) are represented in values from 1–100.

3. Move the pointer over the Canvas.

   The color information displayed in the status bar updates as you move the pointer.

For precise placement of objects in the Canvas, it can be helpful to know the exact pixel position of the pointer. The status bar can display this information in an X and Y coordinate system (Cartesian). The center point of the Canvas is 0, 0.

• In the Appearance pane of Motion Preferences, select the Coordinates checkbox.

  When you move the pointer in the Canvas, the coordinate information updates in the status bar.

Part of the way Motion plays back a project in real time is by lowering the frame rate when a sequence is too complex to render at full speed. You can monitor the current frame rate—in frames per second (fps)—in the status bar.

• In the Appearance pane of Motion Preferences, select the “Frame rate (only during playback)” checkbox.

  When you play the project, the frame rate appears in the upper-left corner of the status bar.