Setting Facial or Body Keys

The Motion Clips (applied from the template library or created by puppeteering) in the Motion Clip track can be modified for subtle expressions with the Face Key Editor.

 
Using the Face Key Editor

Adjusting the keys of the motion clip can help fine-tine the animation and create more visual tension. For example, you may add shoulder keys to the actor when he walks up to the stage.

  1. Click the arrow button of the Motion Clip track to show its sub-tracks - Head, Face, Eye and Shoulder.
  2. Drag the play head to the target Motion Clip, then double-click on the time frame in the Shoulder track to invoke the Face Key Editor panel.
  3. Under the Muscle tab, highlight both the shoulders in the dummy image, and press the Head Move button as shown.
  4. Drag your mouse upward slightly in the interactive area to raise the shoulders up.
  5. A key will then be added into the Shoulder track.
  6. Pick another time frame, then drag your mouse downward slightly in the interactive area to lower the shoulders back.
  7. Repeat the steps above to add other keys in order to create ups and downs within the movement.
  8. Playback so that the subtle shoulder movements can be seen in the Motion Clip. The actor will seem to flinch with lack of confidence.