Editing a motion path in After Effects involves visually adjusting the path of an object's movement directly within the composition viewer.
Understanding Motion Paths
In After Effects, a motion path is the visual representation of an object's position over time. It appears as a line in the Composition panel when the layer's Position property has at least two keyframes. Keyframes are points along this path, and the lines between them show the interpolation (how the object moves) between those keyframes.
Step-by-Step: Editing Your Motion Path
Modifying a motion path is primarily done using the Selection tool directly in the Composition or Layer panel. Here's how:
- Select the Layer: In the Timeline panel, select the layer for which you want to modify the motion path. Ensure the layer's "Position" property is revealed (you can press the 'P' key with the layer selected).
- View the Keyframes: Make sure the relevant Position keyframes are visible in the Timeline. If you cannot view the keyframe that you want to modify in the Composition or Layer panel, move the current-time indicator (CTI) to the keyframe's position in the Timeline.
- Activate the Selection Tool: Switch to the Selection tool in the Tools panel (or press 'V').
- Go to the Composition Panel: View the layer in the Composition or Layer panel. You should see the motion path displayed as a line with square or circular points representing the keyframes.
Modifying Keyframes and Handles
Using the Selection tool in the Composition panel, you can now manipulate the motion path:
- Drag a Keyframe: Click and drag a keyframe point directly on the motion path in the Composition panel. This will change the spatial position of the object at that specific time (represented by the keyframe's position on the timeline). Dragging a keyframe updates its spatial values in the Timeline panel.
- Drag Directional Handles: If a keyframe is set to a Spatial Interpolation type like Bezier, Auto-Bezier, or Continuous Bezier, you will see directional handles (also known as Bezier handles) extending from the keyframe point. Click and drag these handles to adjust the curve of the motion path segment leading into or out of that keyframe. This smooths or sharpens the movement curve between keyframes without changing the keyframe's spatial position itself.
Refining the Curve
Bezier handles provide precise control over the path's shape.
- Dragging a handle further from the keyframe increases the influence of that handle on the curve, making the curve more pronounced.
- Dragging a handle closer to the keyframe reduces its influence, straightening the path segment.
- By default, the two handles on either side of an Auto-Bezier keyframe move together symmetrically to create a smooth curve.
- You can hold down modifier keys (like Alt/Option) while dragging a handle to break this symmetry, allowing you to control the incoming and outgoing curves independently from a single keyframe.
Practical Tips
- Zoom in on the Composition panel for more precise control over keyframes and handles.
- Use the Pen tool (G key) to add extra points (spatial keyframes) to the path between existing keyframes if you need more control over a specific segment.
- Experiment with different spatial interpolation types (right-click a keyframe > Spatial Interpolation) to change how After Effects calculates the path between points (e.g., Linear creates straight lines, Bezier creates curves).
By following these steps, you can effectively edit the shape and flow of your object's movement directly within the visual workspace of After Effects.
