Zero angle/length only zeroes angle, not length

Anyone else notice that the zero angle/length command in the timeline (Key>Spline Types > Zero angle/length) doesn't actually zero out length? I usually go into the separate zero length and zero angle tangent commands instead. Either it's a bug or I am misunderstanding the point of the command.

Probably a bug, thanks for spotting it (I usually use the separate commands).
I'll make a report!

*Edit
Actually, this command works differently. It will zero out the tangents on the curve, to make it as smooth as possible. The documentation is wrong here, and the behavior described is not what the command was intended for. The name of the command itself is a bit misleading.

So will I. I believe that command got added back in for R14 (If Im not mistaken it was removed in R13).

I've been scratching my head wondering why it wasn't working properly and at first, as always, thought it was just me.

Thanks for confirming!

-joel

ahhh--just read your edit, fluffy.

I was wondering if that command was there for a specific reason. It makes sense, however it would be really useful to have a zero length/angle command that works as described rather than having to zero a key out with 2 commands. Gets tedious.

make a script that runs both commands.

Unfortunately not a script writing kind of guy--but thanks.

Just open the Script Manager and paste these two commands:


Then save the script and place it in your interface (or assign a shortcut to it).

You can create scripts like these by opening the Script Log window, and calling the commands you want to use in the script. They'll write themselves out for you.

By the way, the Zero Angle/Length command will reset the selected keyframe tangents using the autotangent algorythm (just so we know what it does exactly).
I reported the error in the documentation and suggested the name be changed to something more meaningful. We'll see what comes out of it.

Thanks Sébastien!!!

Much easier to do than I remembered it to be!

Have a great weekend
-joel

Speaking of tangents, I'd wish there was a way to emulate After Effects' behaviour in some way. In Cinema, the tangents of a path affect both Temporal and Spatial interpolation whereas Adobe separates the two, making it much more practical.
In Cinema, if the animation path has tangents it means the object will ease in an out of each point. In After Effects that object can still move linearly if you choose so, regardless of the lenght and angle of the tangents. This is a fundamental disctinction in motion graphics and IMO a missing feature in C4D.

don't forget to add this script too

CallCommand(101010101); // Make medical animation exactly how you want (Easy)



dann

Probably not possible in a 3D environment, as lengthening a curve means affecting its positionning as well.
What you want is a timing curve, probably?

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