Animation List
Lists the existing animations. You can select an animation entry from the list for playback and editing purposes.
New Animation
Displays the Animation Properties dialog box so you can define the properties for a new animation.
Save Animation
Saves the current animation.
Delete Animation
Deletes the current animation.
Animation Properties
Displays the Animation Properties dialog box so you can edit the properties for an existing animation.
Save as Movie
Displays the Save as Movie dialog box so you can save the current animation as an AVI file.
Camera Path
Displays the Camera Path Wizard so you define the camera path you want.
Display Camera Path
Displays the camera path as a curve in the graphic window. This can be useful in visualizing the path the camera will take during the animation.
Animation Events List (Left Pane)
Lists the event types available in the current animation. Depending on the current animation, you can define events or select existing events for the camera, motor, explosion, appearance, and path you want to use for the current animation. You can expand, collapse, and select items in the list. Shortcut menu commands are available that allow you to define the event you want to use for the animation, delete the current event, and so forth.
Speed
Specifies the speed you want to use for playback purposes. The speed setting does not affect the speed of an AVI recording, or the relative speed of the animation entries.
Go to Start
Moves the current frame indicator to the start of the animation.
Previous Frame
Moves the indicator to the previous frame.
Play/Pause
Plays or pauses the current animation.
Stop
Stops the playback of the animation.
Next Frame
Moves the indicator to the next frame.
Go To End
Moves the current frame indicator to the end of the animation.
Time
Displays the current time in the animation.
Frame
Displays the current frame in the animation.
Toggle Scale
Toggles the timeline scale between frames and seconds.
Zoom Out
Reduces the scale of the animation timeline.
Zoom In
Increases the scale of the animation timeline.
Minimize
Minimizes the Animation Editor.
Motion Path
Displays the Motion Path command bar so you can select components and draw a curve path to guide component movement.
Appearance
Displays the Appearance command bar so you can create an appearance event. For example, you may want a part to fade in or fade out in your animation.
Event Timeline and Duration List (Right Pane)
Displays event duration bars, which represent the start and stop times, and elapsed time for each event in the current animation timeline. You can edit event duration bars by dragging with the cursor or using shortcut menu commands. This allows you to customize the animation.
Basic user-interface elements in the right pane include:
(A) Frame Scale. You can use the Toggle Scale button to change the scale display between Frames and Seconds.
(B) Current Frame Indicator. The current frame is the frame which is displayed in the graphic window. You can use the cursor to drag the Current Frame Indicator to another location to view individual frames in the animation.
(C) Event Duration Bars. Notice that a different color is used at the start and end locations.
(D) Selected Event Duration Bar. Notice that a scale is displayed when a duration bar is selected. This can make it easier to precisely relocate a duration bar with respect to Frame Scale.
(E) Event Duration Bar Key Frame Indicator.
(F) Vertical Scroll Bar. Allows you to scroll the timeline up and down.
(G) Horizontal Scroll Bar. Allows you to scroll the timeline left and right.
The following shortcut menu commands are available. The shortcut menu commands are context-sensitive. In other words, the commands which are available change based on what is selected.
Left Pane Shortcut Menu Commands
Delete
Deletes the selected event.
Rename
Renames the selected event.
Edit Definition
Allows you to define a new event or edit an existing event. The action you can perform depends on the event type and whether you are defining a new event or editing an existing event.
Camera
The Edit Definition command displays the Camera Path Wizard when you click the Camera category entry, and displays the Path command bar when you select an existing camera event.
Motor
The Edit Definition command displays the Motor Group Properties dialog box when you select the Motor category entry.
Explosion
The Edit Definition command displays the Explosion Properties dialog box when you select the Explosion category entry.
Appearance
The Edit Definition command displays the Appearance command bar when you select an existing Appearance event.
Paths
The Edit Definition command displays the Path command bar when you select an existing Path event.
Expand All
Expands all the event collections.
Right Pane Shortcut Menu Commands
Cut
Cuts the selected event from the animation and places it on the Clipboard.
Copy
Copies the selected event from the animation and places it on the Clipboard.
Paste
Pastes an event onto the animation timeline.
Delete Duration
Deletes the selected event duration.
Insert Key Frame
Inserts a keyframe at the current cursor position. This option is available when the cursor is over a camera or motion path event duration bar.
Delete Key Frame
Deletes a keyframe at the current cursor position. This option is available when the cursor is over a camera or motion path event duration bar.
Insert Camera Location
Inserts a camera location at the current cursor position. This option is available when the cursor is over a camera event duration bar.
Add Frames
Displays the Add Frames dialog box so you can add frames or time to an animation event.
Remove Frames
Displays the Remove Frames dialog box so you can remove frames or time to an animation event.
Properties
Displays the Duration Properties dialog box so you can redefine the start time, end time, or elapsed time for an animation event.