Apple Final Cut Pro 6 - Manual (Page 1100)

Chapter 15 Adjusting Parameters for Keyframed Effects 315
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Bezier handles on motion paths in the Canvas work the same way as they do for
keyframes in the Motion tab, except that they affect the spatial motion of the clip,
rather than the velocity of the clip’s change over time. (To change the acceleration or
deceleration of a clip’s motion between two keyframes, you need to create separate
Bezier handles in the Center parameter in the Motion tab.)
To add Bezier handles to a keyframe in a motion path:
m Select the Smooth Point tool in the Tool palette (or press the P key three times), then
click a corner point to add Bezier handles.
The velocity of these keyframes is automatically set to Linear, meaning that there is a
steady rate of speed as the clip moves from one keyframe to the next on the motion path.
You can add Bezier handles to a keyframe in a motion path and change the
acceleration at the same time. For more information, see “
Controlling Speed Along a
Motion Path ” on page 317.
To change the shape of the motion path:
m Drag the Bezier handles on a keyframe.
If you want to create more complex motion paths, you can use modifier keys to adjust
the Bezier handles on each side of a keyframe independently of the other.
To adjust curves in a motion path:
m Drag a Bezier handle to change the shape of its curve.
To resize one side of a Bezier curve independently of the other:
m Hold down the Shift key as you drag a Bezier handle. Release the Shift key to lock the
relative length of the two handles back together using the new unequal lengths you set.
Press Shift, then drag to
resize one side differently
than another.