Graph Editor 'Selected Keyframes' Panel #94174

New Issue

Kevin C. Burke · 2021-12-17T00:56:03+01:00

Kevin C. Burke commented

2021-12-17 00:56:03 +01:00

Big Picture
The Selected Keyframes Panel would provide animators with a much faster keyframe editing capability in the Graph Editor: being able to Box Select keyframes and edit their values simultaneously.

Use cases

Animator working in Graph Editor wanting to easily edit multiple keyframes

Design

The UI contains the same editable values as the Active Keyframe Panel: Interpolation, Key Frame, Key Value, Left Handle Type, Left Handle Frame, Left Handle Value, Right Handle Type, Right Handle Frame, Right Handle Value
It also includes the animator-friendly option Subframes to modify the Key Frame by whole or sub frames.
The panel would also feature the closely-related Equalize Handles operator, allowing users to make selected handle lengths uniform: either respecting their original angle from the key control point or by flattening the angle.

UX
When multiple keyframes are selected, the UI shows the values of the first keyframe from the Box Selection. This is the first keyframe of the first F-Curve in the Graph Editor. In the original prototype, when multiple keyframes were selected and the values did not match, the value's label included an asterisk (*) decoration to show the user that they would be editing multiple keyframe values. @dr.sybren requested that another method is explored as it should be implemented in a wider scope than the Graph Editor. User Interface feedback requested. In an animation module meeting @JonMatthis proposed a light blue field decoration. Here is a mockup of this as colorized text fields aren't currently possible in Python Add-Ons (except the strong red for alerts).

More Info
For more information, view the Multi-Keyframe Editing in Blender presentation .

#82359 (Stronger binding of Active and Selected)
#54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing)
{key Alt} behavior described in https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/interface/keymap/introduction.html#properties

**Big Picture** The Selected Keyframes Panel would provide animators with a much faster keyframe editing capability in the Graph Editor: being able to Box Select keyframes and edit their values simultaneously. ![Selected Keyframes.gif](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F12755702/Selected_Keyframes.gif) **Use cases** * Animator working in Graph Editor wanting to easily edit multiple keyframes **Design** * The UI contains the same editable values as the Active Keyframe Panel: *Interpolation, Key Frame, Key Value, Left Handle Type, Left Handle Frame, Left Handle Value, Right Handle Type, Right Handle Frame, Right Handle Value* * It also includes the animator-friendly option *Subframes* to modify the Key Frame by whole or sub frames. * The panel would also feature the closely-related [Equalize Handles ](https://developer.blender.org/T94172) operator, allowing users to make selected handle lengths uniform: either respecting their original angle from the key control point or by flattening the angle. **UX** When multiple keyframes are selected, the UI shows the values of the first keyframe from the Box Selection. This is the first keyframe of the first F-Curve in the Graph Editor. In the original prototype, when multiple keyframes were selected and the values did not match, the value's label included an asterisk (*) decoration to show the user that they would be editing multiple keyframe values. @dr.sybren requested that another method is explored as it should be implemented in a wider scope than the Graph Editor. **User Interface feedback requested.** In an animation module meeting @JonMatthis proposed a light blue field decoration. Here is a mockup of this as colorized text fields aren't currently possible in Python Add-Ons (except the strong red for alerts). ![image.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F12755678/image.png) **More Info** For more information, view the [Multi-Keyframe Editing in Blender presentation ](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hvbnSidNaO4kKCEV2CznhCNYNdGAJ7srQV3URlIFcaM/edit?usp=sharing). related: - #82359 (Stronger binding of Active and Selected) - #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) - {key Alt} behavior described in https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/interface/keymap/introduction.html#properties

Kevin C. Burke commented

2021-12-17 00:56:03 +01:00

Added subscribers: @JonMatthis, @dr.sybren, @KevinCBurke

Philipp Oeser commented

2021-12-17 09:02:24 +01:00

Added subscriber: @lichtwerk

Philipp Oeser commented

2021-12-17 09:02:24 +01:00

I get the problem of box selection not setting an active keyframe (that is a "problem" throughout blender and is also discussed in #82359 (Stronger binding of Active and Selected))

Thx for the presentation, a couple of notes:

When selecting multiple keyframes (one-by-one), the user still sees this Panel, however, the Panel only manipulates the last keyframe selected

From testing here the {key Alt} tweaking behavior still seems to work for all this (frame, value on keyframes as well as handles), is this not working for you?
(See Alt in https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/interface/keymap/introduction.html#properties)
This is the current / usual method in blender for editing properties of multiple items selected, making this more obvious and improving upon this is also discussed in #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) (including UI mockups)

Ctrl+S > Selection to Current Frame works with multiple active keyframe frames, but not with active handles.

Will check on this (maybe we should create a separate, isolated report for this)

I get the problem of box selection not setting an active keyframe (that is a "problem" throughout blender and is also discussed in #82359 (Stronger binding of Active and Selected)) Thx for the presentation, a couple of notes: > When selecting multiple keyframes (one-by-one), the user still sees this Panel, however, the Panel only manipulates the last keyframe selected From testing here the {key Alt} tweaking behavior still seems to work for all this (frame, value on keyframes as well as handles), is this not working for you? (See `Alt` in https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/interface/keymap/introduction.html#properties) This is the current / usual method in blender for editing properties of multiple items selected, making this more obvious and improving upon this is also discussed in #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) (including UI mockups) > Ctrl+S > Selection to Current Frame works with multiple active keyframe frames, but not with active handles. Will check on this (maybe we should create a separate, isolated report for this)

Philipp Oeser commented

2021-12-17 10:12:14 +01:00

In #94174#1274315, @lichtwerk wrote:

Ctrl+S > Selection to Current Frame works with multiple active keyframe frames, but not with active handles.

Will check on this (maybe we should create a separate, isolated report for this)

Here is a patch allowing snapping of handles, too D13606: [WIP/eperimental] Graph Editor: support snapping handles

> In #94174#1274315, @lichtwerk wrote: >> Ctrl+S > Selection to Current Frame works with multiple active keyframe frames, but not with active handles. > Will check on this (maybe we should create a separate, isolated report for this) Here is a patch allowing snapping of handles, too [D13606: [WIP/eperimental] Graph Editor: support snapping handles](https://archive.blender.org/developer/D13606)

Philipp Oeser commented

2021-12-17 10:22:17 +01:00

In #94174#1274315, @lichtwerk wrote:

When selecting multiple keyframes (one-by-one), the user still sees this Panel, however, the Panel only manipulates the last keyframe selected

From testing here the {key Alt} tweaking behavior still seems to work for all this (frame, value on keyframes as well as handles), is this not working for you?
(See Alt in https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/interface/keymap/introduction.html#properties)
This is the current / usual method in blender for editing properties of multiple items selected, making this more obvious and improving upon this is also discussed in #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) (including UI mockups)

What I want to say with this is that as long as you make sure you have an active keyframe (and yes, box-selecting exposes the "problem" of active vs. selected), the whole concept of adding a new panel seem redundant?

> In #94174#1274315, @lichtwerk wrote: >> When selecting multiple keyframes (one-by-one), the user still sees this Panel, however, the Panel only manipulates the last keyframe selected > > From testing here the {key Alt} tweaking behavior still seems to work for all this (frame, value on keyframes as well as handles), is this not working for you? > (See `Alt` in https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/interface/keymap/introduction.html#properties) > This is the current / usual method in blender for editing properties of multiple items selected, making this more obvious and improving upon this is also discussed in #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) (including UI mockups) What I want to say with this is that as long as you make sure you have an active keyframe (and yes, box-selecting exposes the "problem" of active vs. selected), the whole concept of adding a new panel seem redundant?

Kevin C. Burke commented

2021-12-17 21:05:21 +01:00

@lichtwerk , you've made some great points and found some excellent related tasks. Thank you for taking the time!

From testing here the {key Alt} tweaking behavior still seems to work for all this (frame, value on keyframes as well as handles), is this not working for you?
(See Alt in https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/interface/keymap/introduction.html#properties)
This is the current / usual method in blender for editing properties of multiple items selected, making this more obvious and improving upon this is also discussed in #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) (including UI mockups)

I am aware of the {key Alt} tweaking behavior. Thank you for directing me to #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) as this is something, like the author/supporters of this task, I'd very much like to see change in Blender. As you mentioned, not being able to do this with a Box Select makes the selection process extremely tedious.

Here is a patch allowing snapping of handles, too D13606: [WIP/eperimental] Graph Editor: support snapping handles

Yes!! Thank you very much.

What I want to say with this is that as long as you make sure you have an active keyframe (and yes, box-selecting exposes the "problem" of active vs. selected), the whole concept of adding a new panel seem redundant?

You are so right about these panels being redundant and it is because of redundancy/loose-binding of "Active" and "Selected." Solving #82359 (Stronger binding of Active and Selected) and #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) would eliminate the need for this panel. I'm a little discouraged by that though because both are design tasks from 1+ years ago (2020 and 2018, respectively) still in discourse that have not been moved into implementation. I'm not sure how these things are typically decided in Blender, but I feel more confident in animators getting a better UX sooner with this panel than waiting for the dependencies. I will add my thoughts to those tasks and try to understand the status before moving forward.

@lichtwerk , you've made some great points and found some excellent related tasks. Thank you for taking the time! > From testing here the {key Alt} tweaking behavior still seems to work for all this (frame, value on keyframes as well as handles), is this not working for you? > (See `Alt` in https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/interface/keymap/introduction.html#properties) > This is the current / usual method in blender for editing properties of multiple items selected, making this more obvious and improving upon this is also discussed in #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) (including UI mockups) I am aware of the {key Alt} tweaking behavior. Thank you for directing me to #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) as this is something, like the author/supporters of this task, I'd very much like to see change in Blender. As you mentioned, not being able to do this with a Box Select makes the selection process extremely tedious. > Here is a patch allowing snapping of handles, too [D13606: [WIP/eperimental] Graph Editor: support snapping handles](https://archive.blender.org/developer/D13606) Yes!! Thank you very much. > What I want to say with this is that as long as you make sure you have an active keyframe (and yes, box-selecting exposes the "problem" of active vs. selected), the whole concept of adding a new panel seem redundant? You are so right about these panels being redundant and it is because of redundancy/loose-binding of "Active" and "Selected." Solving #82359 (Stronger binding of Active and Selected) and #54862 (Multi-Object Properties Editing) would eliminate the need for this panel. I'm a little discouraged by that though because both are design tasks from 1+ years ago (2020 and 2018, respectively) still in discourse that have not been moved into implementation. I'm not sure how these things are typically decided in Blender, but I feel more confident in animators getting a better UX sooner with this panel than waiting for the dependencies. I will add my thoughts to those tasks and try to understand the status before moving forward.

Kevin C. Burke commented

2021-12-17 23:39:16 +01:00

I just checked in on the design of https://developer.blender.org/T54862 and it isn't progressing.

Pratik Borhade commented

2022-01-19 09:49:56 +01:00

Changed status from 'Needs Triage' to: 'Confirmed'

Philipp Oeser removed the

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Graph Editor 'Selected Keyframes' Panel #94174