Apple Final Cut Pro 5 - Manual (Page 1058)

Chapter 13 Adjusting Parameters for Keyframed Effects 271
II
Smoothing Keyframes
Smoothing a keyframe, or adding Bezier handles to it, makes the change from one
keyframe’s value to the next more gradual by applying a curve instead of a straight line.
The ability to apply smoothing to a parameter in Final Cut Pro depends on the kind of
keyframes a parameter uses.
 One-dimensional keyframes: Parameters that contain multiple values can’t be
represented by curved graph lines in the keyframe graph. Instead, all values of the
parameter are represented by a single point on the graph. Examples of multi-
dimensional parameters are: the Center and Anchor Point parameters (two values: x
and y) and the Color parameter for the Drop Shadow (three values: R, G, and B).
You cannot use Bezier handles to smooth these types of keyframes, because the
graph line cannot display multiple parameter values (such as x and y) simultaneously.
In the case of the Center or Anchor Point parameter, you can adjust these values on
curves directly in the Canvas.
 Two-dimensional keyframes: Parameters that contain a single value can be animated
with two-dimensional keyframes in the keyframe graph area. Keyframes in these
parameters’ value graph lines can be smoothed, using Bezier handles to modify their
rate of change. Examples of parameters with only a single value are: Scale, Rotation,
Aspect Ratio, and Opacity.
To smooth a keyframe:
m Control-click the keyframe, then choose Smooth from the shortcut menu.
You can manipulate the velocity of change that takes place from one keyframe to the
next by adjusting the Bezier handles on the curve.
To change the shape of a Bezier curve:
m Drag the Bezier handle on the side of a keyframe.
To resize one side of a Bezier curve independently of the other:
m Hold down the Shift key as you drag a Bezier handle.
When you release the Shift key, the relative length of the two handles is locked to the
new unequal lengths you set.
Choose Smooth from
the shortcut menu.