Learn 3D Graphics

Actions

For any "Object Tweening", where we've added keyframes in Object mode for changes in scale, rotation, or position (transform data), we create actions in the "Action Editor." This also works for any animated changes in pose, from adding keyframes to a rigged character/object in "Pose Mode".

Avoid including keyframes for Object location/scale/rotation in any actions for Poses/Shapes.

1. Adjusting the Workspace:
   1. Switch to the "Animation" workspace by clicking on the "Animation" tab on the top of the window
   2. At the bottom of the workspace, change the Dope Sheet's mode to the "Action Editor"
2. Create Actions for Rigged Poses:
   1. In the "Action Editor", give the action a descriptive name (ie. walk cycle or jump)
   2. In "Pose Mode", on the starting frame for the action, adjust the rig's pose to the starting position of the pose
   3. Select all the bones (A) and press "I" to add keyframes
   4. On the ending frame for the action, pose and keyframe the ending pose (if the action is going to loop/repeat, make sure the start and ending pose are exactly the same — an easy way to do this is to copy/paste all the keyframes from the starting frame to the ending frame)
   5. Add keyframes for any additional poses between the start and ending frames of the action
   6. Use space to play/pause to test the playback
   7. Make adjustments as needed
   8. Send the action to the NLA Editor:
      1. Click on "Push Down" to send the action to the NLA editor for use as an action
   9. For any additional pose actions, click on the "+ New" button at the top of the Action Editor, then repeat the steps above to make the new action
      1. If the new action is going to transition from the old action:
         1. Move to the next frame after the previous action ended (ie. from frame 50 to frame 51)
         2. Leaving the pose in the ending position of the last action, select all the bones and add a keyframe (this allows for a seamless transition between poses)
      2. If the new action is consecutive but without a transition from the old action, the starting frame can still be the next frame
      3. If the new action isn't consecutive (ie. animating out of order), start the action on frame 1
3. Creating Actions for Object Mode Tweening (transform changes):
   1. If an object will have secondary movement ie. morphing or changes in pose make sure those actions are kept completely separate from any transform changes and that they are already finalized, ordered, and timed
   2. In the "Action Editor", give the action a descriptive name (ie. walk location or scale change)
   3. Animate the action:
      1. In "Object Mode", move to the starting frame for the action and move the object into its initial orientation/location
      2. Use I to add a keyframe
      3. Change to the ending frame for the action
      4. Move the object to its ending orientation/location and add a keyframe
      5. Test playback with space to play/pause
      6. Add additional keyframes as needed
   4. Send the action to the NLA Editor:
      1. Click on "Push Down" to send the action to the NLA editor for use as an action
   5. For any additional object mode actions, click on the "+ New" button at the top of the Action Editor, then repeat the steps above to make the new action
      1. If the new action is going to transition from the old action:
         1. Move to the next frame after the previous action ended (ie. from frame 50 to frame 51)
         2. Leaving the object in the ending position of the last action, make sure it is selected and add a keyframe with "I"(this allows for a seamless transition between poses)
      2. If the new action is consecutive but without a transition from the old action, the starting frame can still be the next frame
      3. If the new action isn't consecutive (ie. animating out of order), start the action on frame 1

Shape Key Editor

Shape Key animations can be saved as actions too, but through the Dope Sheet's "Shape Key Editor" mode.

1. Adjusting the Workspace:
   1. If not already there, switch to the "Animation" workspace by clicking on the "Animation" tab on the top of the window
   2. At the bottom of the workspace, change the Dope Sheet's mode to the "Shape Key Editor"
2. Create Actions for Shape Key morphing:
   1. Add shape keyframes for the start and end of an action like normal (if the action will be looped, make sure the start and end keyframes are identical)
   2. Add any intermediary shape keyframes like normal
   3. Double-click on the action name to rename the action descriptively (ie. Flapping Wings)
   4. Push down the action to the NLA editor
3. For any additional shape key actions, click on the "+ New" button at the top of the Action Editor, then repeat the steps above to make the new action
   1. If the new action is going to transition from the old action:
      1. Move to the next frame after the previous action ended (ie. from frame 50 to frame 51)
      2. Leaving the object in the ending shape of the last action, make sure it is selected and add a keyframe to each shape key (this allows for a seamless transition between poses)
   2. If the new action is consecutive but without a transition from the old action, the starting frame can still be the next frame
   3. If the new action isn't consecutive (ie. animating out of order), start the action on frame 1

Interpolation in the Graph Editor

The "Graph Editor" allows the interpolation (rate of transition)of active keyframes to be adjusted. When used correctly, this can help movement feel more natural and organic.

1. Toggle between the Dope Sheet/Action Editor and the Graph Editor with "Ctrl+tab" while hovering over the panel, or manually change the panel
2. Make adjustments to the curves in the Graph as needed:
   1. Select objects (in Object mode) or bones (in Pose mode) to reveal keyframe data in the graph editor
   2. Click on the triangles to expand/contract more detailed data
   3. Click on a name in the sidebar to highlight the curve
   4. Use the needle to scrub the animation
   5. Click on data points to reveal the handles
   6. Right-click and drag on a handle to adjust the selected curve
   

The NLA Editor, short for "Non-Linear Animation", allows you to make adjustments to your pushed actions. They can be re-ordered, duplicated, repeated, sped up, slowed down — without needing to change the keyframes themselves.

1. Still in the "Animation" workspace, change the top left panel to the "Non-Linear Animation" Editor
2. Make sure to leave the ☆ star icon next to each action name unchecked/unfilled (this toggles on/off a solo mode where you can see only the current action and all others get muted)
3. In the NLA editor, use the following shortcuts:
   • Right-click: select a track
   • Right-click+drag: reposition/reorder selected tracks
     • Related keyframe data for a single object should be kept on a single track
       1. Pose mode actions for a single character stay on a single track
       2. Shape key actions for a single object stay on a single track
       3. Object mode actions for a single object/character stay on a single track
       
     • Keep actions that target different keyframe data on separate, vertical tracks - ie. Pose mode actions, Shape key actions, and Object mode actions for a single character/object each need their own, separate tracks
   • S: to slow down or speed up the action (higher numbers = slower, lower numbers = faster)
   • tab: show/hide action keyframes back in the action editor (make any edits to keyframes in this mode where the action displays in green - NOT by changing to the action manually in the Action Editor)
4. To loop an action:
   1. Select the action in the NLA editor
   2. Open the N-panel (N)
   3. Change to the "Strip" tab
   4. Click on the triangle to expand the "Action Clip" section
   5. Increase the repeat value as needed