SCALE KEYS FROM CENTER VALUES – OVERVIEW

Scale Keyframes From Center Values is useful tool for adjusting animated noise and random jitter.

This tool automatically detects the center of each curve in the Graph Editor selection and interactively scales from the center pivot of each animation curve.

Code Credit: Based on a tool by David Peers.

(Video Tutorial coming soon)

THE PROBLEM

It’s difficult to adjust animation noise on keyframes with curves not sharing center pivots. Each curve must be scaled individually and it’s almost impossible to keep the scale values consistent.

THE SOLUTION

Scale Keyframes From Center Values automatically scales noise from the center pivot of each of the selected curves.

USING THE TOOL

1. Select your objects.
2. Select keyframes in the Graph Editor.
3. Adjust the sliders/button or press Start Center Scale.

Each curve will scales from it’s center value pivot.

Change the scale interactively with the slider or the Plus/Minus buttons. Scales can go above the default slider range.

Use the Update Selection button to change the selection that’s being scaled.

COMPACT SETTINGS

Scale Slider
Scales from the value center of each curve.
Select curves and use the slider, after starting the scale will affect the remembered keys.
Add a new selection by clicking Update Selection.

Start Center Scale Button
Starts the center scale. The selected keyframes are remembered and added to the cache.

Invert Button
Inverts the current scale.

Plus/Minus Buttons
Increase/decrease the amount of the center-scale.
– Hold shift: faster
– Hold ctrl: slower
– Hold alt: Reset

Reset
Returns the current keyframes to their original positions.
Visible while in scale mode.

Update Selection
In scale mode only the remembered keyframes are scaled. To work on a new selection click this button. Visible while in scale mode.

ADVANCED SETTINGS

Average & Max/Min Radio Buttons
– Use Average Center: The center pivot is calculated from the center of all selected keys for each curve.
– Use Max/Min Center: The center pivot is calculated from the highest and lowest point in each curve.