MARCH 03, 2004
Cinema 4D Quick Tip: Reverse Time Remapping
Simple methods for changing keyframes
 by Ko Maruyama
Page 2 of 2

Brief introduction to the Timeline
Basically, the Timeline contains the keyframes that you set for various parameters of your 3D scene. These can range from simple transformation keyframe data (position, rotation, scale) or complex, attribute scripting values, or geometry shape/point level animation data.[an error occurred while processing this directive]


Moving Keyframes
When you want to move a keyframe for a single parameter, you only need to click the rectangular icon for the keyframe and drag it to another part of the sequence track. When you select the keyframe, a red handle shows up in the top part of the window, where the border handles appear. You can drag this red keyframe handle to move the selected keyframes. Note: In versions 8 and higher, you now have Timeline control over x, y, z parameters directly. In order to select only one axis' keyframe, Option-click that keyframe.

If you want to move multiple keyframes that occur in separate points in time, select the keyframes you want to move (Shift-click or Shift-Option-click). This produces red keyframe borders on either side of the selected keyframe sequence (not track sequence).



There are two easy ways to move the selected keyframes:

  • Select either handle and slide toward or away from the other handle to shrink or stretch the keyframe events over the course of the track sequence. Be aware that if two keyframes occupy the same space in time, C4D will omit one.
  • Grab the pink bar that appears between the two handles at the top. Click on and drag this pink bar. This will slide the group of selected keyframes along the track without changing the relative time between the selected keyframes.

Scaling Keyframes
If you want to remap the keyframes by a certain multiplier that does not exceed the boundaries of the sequence and does not involve a "time-reverse" (negative number), you can use the Scale command featured under the Timeline's File pulldown menus (Sequences > Move/Scale). Scale will multiply the duration of the selected keyframes by the numerical variable you input. In order to divide the amount of time it takes to complete the selected keyframes, use a fraction of 1.





This has been a basic overview of working with specific elements in Cinema 4D's Timeline. In future installments in this series, we'll expand our coverage to include keyframe creation and velocity curves.

Ko Maruyama is a freelance animator in Los Angeles. When I'm not waiting for my future-self to deliver the ultimate time machine to me, I can be found answering questions in the After Effects forum. Until then, I'll use Cinema 4D's Timeline and FCurves to manage some time.


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