Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 5.5 Help Manual page 128

Adobe After Effects Help
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Adjusting direction handles to create curves and corners
By default, Bezier interpolation creates a curved transition at a keyframe. Clicking the
keyframe with the Convert Control Point tool ( ) creates a corner at the keyframe. On a
Value graph, a corner results in an abrupt transition. On a motion path, the keyframe
becomes a corner in the path.
You can also change a Bezier keyframe so that the two handles move together, forming a
curve through the keyframe.
To change a Bezier keyframe from a curve to a corner:
1 Select the pen tool ( ) or Convert Control Point tool ( ) from the toolbox.
2 In the Composition window, drag a keyframe's direction handle in any direction.
Continuous Bezier direction handles (left) become two separate Bezier
direction handles (right).
Retracting and extending Bezier direction handles
You can retract or extend the direction handles that appear by default. When the direction
handles are extended, the keyframe represents Continuous Bezier interpolation (see
"Continuous Bezier interpolation" on page 125). When both direction handles are
retracted, the interpolation method is Linear, which creates a corner point instead of a
curve (see "Linear interpolation" on page 124).
To retract one direction handle:
Using the selection tool, on a Value graph in the Timeline window or motion path in the
Composition or Layer window, drag the direction handle to the center of its keyframe.
To retract both Bezier direction handles:
1 Select the Convert Control Point tool ( ) from the toolbox.
2 On a Value graph or motion path, click the keyframe.
To extend retracted Bezier direction handles:
1 Select the Convert Control Point tool ( ) from the toolbox.
2 On a Value graph or motion path, click the keyframe and drag outward from the
keyframe.
To toggle between the selection tool and the pen tool:
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS).
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Fine-tuning Animation
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