Shape Instancing Mode

Determines the way in which shape clips are instantiated (created) in the mixer when shape keys are saved or applied.

For more information, see Choosing a Shape Instance Mode for Shape Clips [ Shape Animation ].

• Instance Only Mode affects how shape keys are instantiated when using the Store and Apply Shape Key or Apply Shape Key commands. When active, 10-frame clips are created on a shape track.

• Mixed Weight Mode (the default) creates clips that are as long as the scene with weight fcurves that peak at the current frame when using the Store and Apply Shape Key or Apply Shape Key commands. This mode is compatible with working in the shape manager.

• Standard Transition Mode creates one-frame clips when using the Store and Apply Shape Key or Apply Shape Key commands. Spatial transitions between shapes are linear.

• Cardinal Transition Mode creates one-frame clips when using the Store and Apply Shape Key or Apply Shape Key commands. Spatial transitions between shapes are Cardinal.

• Blended Weight Mode creates clips that are as long as the scene; however, with Blended Weight mode the weights do not automatically have fcurves. This is the default mode for working in the shape manager.

Shape Reference Mode

Determines how shapes are deformed in reference to the shape-animated object’s base geometry that is a result of the operators that are in the Modeling region of the object’s construction history.

For more information, see Deformations and Shape Reference Modes [ Shape Animation ].

• Local Relative Mode: Shapes are stored relative to the each point’s local reference frame. When you deform the surface, the shape maintains its position and orientation relative to its immediate surroundings. This mode is the default, but it also requires the most computation.

• Object Relative Mode:Shapes are stored relative to the object as a whole. If you deform the object, the shape moves with it but maintains its original orientation. If there is no deformation animation before you save or store shape keys, the effect is the same as local relative mode.

• Absolute Mode: Shapes are absolute and not relative. They are stored in terms of the local coordinate system of the object. If the object is deformed, the cluster with the shape is unaffected.

Relational Select Shape Keys

Keeps the link between the deformed objects that you pick for the shape keys using the Deform > Shape > Select Shape Key command and the target object you’re deforming. This means that the shape keys continue to drive the shape animation on the target object.

When this option is off, the link between the shape-key objects and the target object is broken and the shape keys do not drive the shape animation.

For more information, see Selecting Shape Keys [ Shape Animation ].

Apply Selected Shape Keys

Creates shape clips in the mixer automatically when you select shape keys with the Deform > Shape > Select Shape Key command.

Mute Deforms on Instantiation

Mutes any existing deform operators on the object when you create (instantiate) a shape clip in the mixer. This prevents the operator from being deleted when you create a shape clip. However, if an operator doesn’t support muting, it is deleted even if this option is on.