If you add a point on the same frame as an existing key, the old point is replaced.
When you add or delete keys on an fcurve, it is the same as adding or deleting keyframes. Softimage recalculates the interpolation and draws new curve segments reconnecting the keys.
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If you add a point on the same frame as an existing key, the old point is replaced. |
To add keys interactively
1. Select the fcurves to which you want to add points.
2. Do one of the following:
- Activate Add Key mode by clicking on the Add Keyframe icon 
in the toolbar or by pressing I. On the fcurve, click where you want to add keys.
or
- Choose Keys > Edit Key Tool, click the Edit Key icon 
, or press Shift+E. Then middle-click to add keys.
Because adding points interactively can be imprecise, you might want to have your keys snap to specific time or value intervals. For more information on snapping to the grid, see Snapping Keys.
Inserting Keys without Changing the Fcurve Shape
There are three ways in which you can insert keys on an fcurve without changing the fcurve’s shape:
• Use the Add Keyframe tool (press I) with the middle mouse button—see Inserting Keys Anywhere.
• Use the Keys > Insert Key at Current Time command to insert keys at a certain frame—see Inserting Keys at a Certain Frame (Current Time).
• Use the Keys > Insert Key at Key Time command to insert keys where you’ve middle-clicked in the timeline—see Inserting Keys at Key Time.
You can insert a key anywhere on an fcurve without changing the shape of the fcurve. This is especially useful with curves that have few keys, or curves that have sharp peaks and valleys where adding a key as usual would change the shape of the fcurve.
1. Click the Add Keyframe icon in the toolbar or press I.
2. Hold down the middle-mouse button and drag the red vertical bar that appears. The small box on the bar follows the shape of the fcurve as you drag.
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Press Ctrl while dragging to snap to the increments set in the Fcurve Editor Preferences property editor (see Snapping Keys). |
3. Release the middle mouse button at the place where you want to add the key. The key is added without changing the shape of the curve.
Inserting Keys at a Certain Frame (Current Time)
You can automatically add keys to all selected curves on a given frame. While a new key is added for each curve, the curves retain their shape. This is useful when you want to insert a key for a group of parameters (for example, X, Y, and Z) so that each key occurs at the exact same point in time.
To add keys to multiple fcurves
1. Select one or more fcurves to which you want to add keys.
2. Position the playback cursor to the frame where you want the keys inserted.
3. Choose Keys > Insert Key at Current Time from the fcurve editor command bar.
One key is inserted on each selected curve at the frame indicated by the playback cursor.
As in the main timeline, you can middle-click the playback cursor in the animation editor’s timeline to go to a different frame without updating the scene. When you do this, the playback cursor turns green and you can set a key for these values.
To copy and insert a key’s value
1. Middle-click in the animation editor’s timeline to set the key time. The playback cursor turns green.
2. Select the fcurve on which you want to insert the key and choose Keys > Insert Key at Key Time. This inserts a key on this fcurve without changing its shape.
If the key time is not visible (it’s at the same location as the current time), the command is dimmed since the current time is the key time.
When you delete keys from an fcurve, it is the same as deleting a keyframe from your animation. Softimage recalculates the interpolation and draws a new curve segment connecting the remaining keys.
To delete specific keys using the Delete Key tool
1. Select the fcurves from which you want to delete points.
2. Choose Keys > Delete Key Tool, click the Delete key icon 
on the toolbar or press D.
3. Left-click the keys you want to delete.
To delete specific keys using the Edit Key tool
1. Choose Keys > Edit Key Tool, click the Edit Key icon 
or press Shift+E.
2. Right-click the keys you want to delete.
To delete multiple keys
1. Select one or more fcurves from which you want to delete keys.
2. Select all the keys you want to delete.
3. Press Delete or choose Keys > Remove Keys.
To delete multiple keys on the same frame
1. Select the curves from which you want to delete keys.
2. Move the playback cursor to the frame at which you want to delete keys.
3. Choose Keys > Delete Key at Current Time.
To delete a key at key time
1. Right-click in the animation editor’s timeline and drag the green cursor to where there is a key.
2. Select the curves from which you want to delete keys.
3. Choose Keys > Delete Key at Key Time.
Autodesk Softimage v.7.5