Curves

You can use the curves view to adjust both the value of keys and the transition between them.

• To access the curves view for an object, select the object, and then select the curves view icon () on the editor panel.

Curves timeline

The curves timeline is synchronized with the main timeline. The minimum time value in the curves view is determined by the start time of the object's container on the main timeline.

Example of an object as represented in the timeline view (top) and as represented in the curve view (bottom)

Presentation of keys

Each key in the curve view is represented by a square. Lines, called tracks, connect keys for the same parameter and the color of the track indicates which parameter the keys affect. The list on the left-hand side of the curve sheet provides a reference to parameter colors. For more information, see Parameter colors.

• To toggle the visibility of a parameter, or group of parameters, select the corresponding eye icon.

Keys for the Position.y parameter connected by a green track - with the Position.x and Position.z tracks hidden

To adjust the curves view to show all currently visible tracks, press f on your keyboard. To adjust the curves view to show a single track, select a key on that track, and then press f on the keyboard.

The horizontal position of a key marks its position on the timeline and the vertical position of a key indicates its value. You can move keys horizontally to retime them and move them vertically to change their value.

Adjusting keys

• Move: To move a key, drag it to a new position. Move a key horizontally to adjust its position on the timeline and move it vertically to change the parameter value. For instructions on how to restrict key movement to a specific axis, see Restricting key movement. For instructions on how to move keys to exact positions, see Setting exact positions for keys.

• Delete: To delete a key, select it, and then select the delete key icon (). You can also press delete on your keyboard.

• Copy and paste: To copy a key, select it, select the copy icon (), move the playhead to a new position, and then press the paste icon (). You can also use the Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V keyboard shortcuts.

• Adjusting curves: To adjust the tangent of a line as it passes through a key, select the key, and then drag either of the circular grips. You can't adjust a curve if the key was created with linear interpolation. For more information, see Keyframe interpolation modes.

Example curve grips for a selected key

Selecting multiple keys

To select multiple keys on desktop devices, hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard, and then click each key that you want to select. You can also click the box select icon , and then drag a box around the keys that you want to select.

Location of the box select icon and example of box selection in use

To turn off the box selection, select one of the other icons in the right-hand panel, such as the horizontal movement icon .

Restricting key movement

You can use the toggles on the right-hand side of the the curves timeline to restrict key movement to a specific axis. Select an icon to enable that restriction.

Icon	Effect	Keyboard shortcut
	No restrictions. You can drag a key freely in both axis.	None
	Restrict a key to vertical movement. This changes the value of the parameter.	Left Shift key
	Restrict a key to horizontal movement. This retimes the key.	Right Shift key

Setting exact positions for keys

• To select an exact time or value for a key, first select the key, and then use either the spinners or the numeric input fields.

Spinners and numeric input fields to set an exact time and value for a key