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Synchronizing Animation Timing for the Ball and Net

To enhance the realism of our animation, it's crucial to synchronize the movement of the ball with the net. Currently, there is a noticeable delay between their motions. Additionally, the initial duration of the QuickTime animation for the net limits its lifespan and visibility.

Adjusting the Net's Timing

  • Select and Move the Layer:

    • Begin by selecting the layer representing the net in the Dopesheet.

    • Move the block representing the net's layer to the right. This action introduces a delay in its visibility.

  • Observing Temporal Shift:

    • As you move the block, a number will appear on the left side of the playhead. This number indicates the temporal shift you are applying.

    • If you shift the playhead, the number will adjust accordingly, reflecting the timing change in the animation.

  • Understanding Retiming Parameters:

    • The temporal shift is represented in the Properties Panel under the ###Retiming### section, which is also visible in the Stack.

    • This parameter shows the introduced delay in three formats:

      • Timecode: Indicates the delay based on the project's framerate.

      • Frames: Displays the delay in frame count.

      • Seconds: Provides a more precise representation, such as -0.04s.

  • Moving Layers Between Frames:

    • By default, layers cannot be moved between frames due to the framerate constraint. However, you can lift this restriction by holding the Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) key while moving the layer. This allows for more granular control over the timing.
  • Precision in Synchronization:

    • The representation in seconds is particularly useful for fine-tuning the synchronization of sound elements with the visual components.

    • For example, introducing a TimeOffset of -0.04s can effectively align the net's animation with the ball's motion, provided that the position values and distance between keyframes are maintained.

Final Adjustments

  • If you move the block again in the Dopesheet without holding the Ctrl or Cmd key, the automatic magnetization to the nearest frame will reactivate. This can help ensure your timing aligns perfectly with the overall animation.

Summary

In this section, we have learned how to

  • Access the Retiming parameters,

  • Adjust the timing of layers in the Dopesheet, and make precise timing

  • Adjustments between frames to synchronize animations effectively.