In Maya, the term "flipping a keyframe" often refers to reversing a sequence of keyframes to play an animation backward. To achieve this, you utilize the Graph Editor.
Based on common practice and the provided reference mentioning "Reverse Keyframes," the primary method involves manipulating the animation curves within the Graph Editor.
Accessing the Graph Editor to Reverse Keyframes
The first step, as indicated by the reference, is to open the Graph Editor window where you can view and edit animation curves for selected objects.
To open the Graph Editor:
- Go to Windows in the main Maya menu.
- Navigate to Animation Editors.
- Select Graph Editor.
The reference specifically states: "So to do that all you need to do is go to windows. Go to animation go to graph editor."
Understanding Keyframe Reversal
Once inside the Graph Editor, you will see the animation curves representing the keyed attributes of your selected object. Reversing a sequence of keyframes typically involves:
- Selecting the keyframes you wish to reverse on the timeline within the Graph Editor or directly on the curves.
- Using a tool or command within the Graph Editor to effectively scale the selected time range by -1. This reverses the order of the keyframes within that selected range.
Why Use the Graph Editor?
The Graph Editor is the central hub for sophisticated animation editing in Maya. It allows you to:
- Visualize animation timing and spacing.
- Adjust tangents to smooth or sharpen animation.
- Copy, paste, scale, and reverse keyframes and entire animation segments.
Using the Graph Editor provides precise control over which keyframes are flipped (reversed) and how the timing is affected.
Summary: Flipping (Reversing) Keyframes
| Action | Tool/Location | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Access Reversal Tools | Graph Editor | Manipulate animation curves and keyframe timing |
| Initiate Reversal | Graph Editor Tools | Select keyframes and apply reverse operation |
While the reference specifically details how to access the Graph Editor, performing the actual reversal involves selecting the relevant keyframes and utilizing the scaling or reverse keyframe options found within the editor's menus or toolbar.
In summary, you don't "flip" a single keyframe's value, but rather reverse the sequence of keyframes in time, and the essential tool for this is the Graph Editor, accessed via Windows > Animation Editors > Graph Editor.
