# Keyframes and the Dope Sheet

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Keyframes are usually associated with animation, not with rigging. However, understanding how keyframes and channels all work is fundamental to rigging. Rich explains the various concepts and how the functions are performed in modo, such as settings keyframes, working and navigating the timeline and then how to use the Dope Sheet (Track View), an editor meant to quickly adjust the timing of an animation without affecting its values.

Users can jump ahead to a specific section by using the Chapter selection widget on the right side of the player or by directly clicking any of the Chapter Title links below.

Tab | Time | Chapter | Description
1 | 00:10 | Differences | The difference between the terms 'Rigging' and 'Animation' are explained.
2 | 02:46 | What is Key | Rich explains in detail what a keyframe is and how it got its name.
3 | 04:07 | Set Keyframe | Why and how keyframes are set for Channels is explained.
4 | 05:16 | Channel States | Details the different colors displayed representing the different channel states.
5 | 06:59 | Auto Key Setup | Setting up modo for Auto Keyframe creation
6 | 09:02 | Alt Keyframe Set | Rich demonstrates some alternate ways to set a keyframe.
7 | 11:10 | Remove Keyframe | How to delete a keyframe from an animation.
8 | 13:02 | Navigate Keys | Navigating the timeline when keyframes are set.
9 | 14:22 | Timeline | Rich discusses the timeline as it relates to keyframes.
10 | 16:11 | Timeline Options | Explanation of the options for the timeline.
11 | 17:32 | Keys & Channels | How to properly keyframe transform items.
12 | 19:46 | Dope Sheet | How to open and use the dope sheet for easy keyframe manipulation.
| 29:13 | Total Video Time |

Frequently Asked Questions--

Q.) So "Animation and "Rigging" are not the same thing?

> A.) GAH! No they are not! Can you tell I'm sensitive about this topic? ;)

Q.) He says "Drop a Key" what does that mean?

> A.) It means "Create a Keyframe". Just some crazy slang to confuse you with.

Q.) Why have both the 'Properties' panel and the 'Channel List' if they both show the same information?

> A.) Its really a matter of presentation, the properties panel does not show you all the channels for a particular item... whereas the channel list shows you EVERYTHING. The properties panel also has the ability to display channels in unique ways that might make it easier to discern what options it may have. The channel list is a brute force list of all the channels. Which view you use really depends on personal preference and the task at hand.

Q.) He sure say "um" a lot?

> A.) Um yeah... would you rather him say "handy" more often instead?

Q.) Where did the term "Dope Sheet" come from?

> A.) The term "Dope Sheet" (like "Key Frame") comes from traditional animation. The Dope Sheet, also known as xSheet or Exposure Sheet, was a tool for animators to plot out their animations and give the cameraman direction. Yes that's right... the camera man who would actually photograph the hand drawn cells.

Q.) Doesn't he know it's actually called the 'Track View' in modo?

> A.) Traditionally the view that shows all the keyframes in any application is called a dope sheet and well old habits die hard, what can we say. Track view is more relevant without clinging to outdated terminology :-)

Resources--

Links to the modo in-line help system
Docs: Setting Keyframing in the Timeline
Docs: Channel Links
Docs: Track View (aka Dope Sheet)

Links to other pages in this training
Training: Channels
Training: General UI
Training: Action Centers
Training: Schematic
Training: Graph Editor
Training: Transform Items

Files--

Links to the modo scenes used in the video
(click to open in modo)
File: KeyFramesDopeSheet_01.lxo

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