Creating keyframes

You can create keyframes for any property of any object at any point on the timeline. By changing one or more properties over a specified time, you create an animated effect. For example, you can change the position, anchor point, and color independently at different points in the animation by creating keyframes with different values for each of these properties.

Once you've created a keyframe for a specific property, you can move the current-time marker and change the value of that property to create a new keyframe at the current-time marker. If the current-time marker is at an existing keyframe for a property, changing the property alters the value for that keyframe.

To set the first keyframe for an object property using the stopwatch button:

1. Expand the object hierarchy until you can see the property that you want to animate.

You can also use Adobe After Effects-style shortcuts to reveal the property you want.

2. Move the current-time marker to where you want to add a keyframe.
3. Click the stopwatch button  next to a property to activate it. An initial keyframe is set at the current-time marker.
4. Specify the value you want that property to have at that time. (Most of these properties are associated with palettes listed under the Window menu.)

For more information, see Animating object and layer properties.


An object property keyframe

To add additional keyframes for an object property:

1. Move the current-time marker to where you want to add a new keyframe for that property.
2. Do one of the following:
• Change the value for the object property you are animating. A keyframe for that property is automatically added.
• Click the empty check box in the keyframe column. This adds a keyframe without changing the value of the property. This is useful when you want to capture a given property value as a point of reference, and then transition to or from it by setting other keyframes

The keyframe box adds keyframes without changing property values.

To create keyframes using the New Keyframe commands:

1. Select the object for which you want to create a keyframe. (You can select multiple objects and create a new keyframe for each at the same time.)
2. Choose Timeline > New Keyframe, followed by one of these commands, depending on the type of keyframe you want to create: New Position Keyframe, New Rotation Keyframe, New Scale Keyframe, New Opacity Keyframe, New Anchor Point Keyframe.