Loklo Media 3D Animation Blog

(Make sure to view HQ/HD and full screen for best visibility… some artifacting is still there due to compression)

This video was recorded using a 25772-win64 build from www.graphicall.org.

In order to animate almost anything in Blender, hover your mouse over the property to be animated, then hit the “I” key on the keyboard. Split open or reassign a window to the Graph Editor (Used to be IPO Editor). You’ll see the property name, assigned a color (defaults to auto/random rainbow colors, which I don’t like), and the curve (usually a flat line to begin).

Hit the “N” key to bring up the properties toolbar, and you’ll see where you can add a modifier. Modifiers available include: Generator, Built-In Function, Envelope, Cycles, Noise, Python, Limits.

The video shows a little of each.

- Generator allows you to use a polynomial equation.

- Built-In allows you to use Some Trig equations, as well as SqRt, Log, etc.

- Envelope allows you to create guide lines for min and max (I think that’s all it does)

- Cycles allows you to make a segment of animation cyclic, with before, after and infinite settings.

- Noise is great for things like camera shake, or just random noise to an animation.

- Python allows greater control by linking different properties together, using variables, scripted inputs, and more math.

- Limits is like a clipping value – where you can set a min and max and values beyond get clipped.