By Gary Jaeger (64.171.5.255) on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 04:39 pm:

Somewhat new to LW, and I'm looking for the following graph editor functionality:

1. is there a way to smooth data? I have some data from RealViz which is generally good, but I'd like a way to smooth out some of the little bumps. i.e. select a range of keys and invoke the smooth commmand?

2. Is there a way to lock Bezier handles so that there is no cusp? I see that I can use the option key to move the handles independantly and smooth them manually, but I would like to know that they are definately smooth. Is this possible?

3. is there a way to autozoom the channel to the graph window? i.e. finish working on one channel, select another and have it zoom to fit the window?

thanks

gary jaeger

By SplineGod (206.111.21.182) on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 09:35 pm:

All 3 things are in the graph editor. I would look in the manual.

By Gary Jaeger (64.171.5.255) on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 11:05 pm:

wow. thanks for the help. I asked here because:

a. I'm working from home on a tight deadline, and forgot the manuals and the other two lightwave books I have.

b. looked in the 6.5b pdf and didn't find answers (i.e. i couldn't get reduce keys to do what I wanted, double clicking on a handle not only resets tangency, but also sets the length of the handles to be equal, which screws up the curve, and never found an answer to #3)

c. called tech support, they didn't know, and suggested I post the questions here. Because, as he said, "their guys who know more about this stuff hang out in the forums"

again, thanks for the help. But impressed as I am that a God would take the time to answer the plea of a newbie, EI exile, maybe there's a mortal around who can help? I would really, really appreciate it.

gary jaeger
core studio

By Gary Jaeger (64.171.5.255) on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 11:14 pm:

oh, crap. that sounds so pissy. Actually, I do appreciate you taking the time to answer. I just wish I new the answers.

gary

By burner (216.37.4.71) on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 09:28 am:

I'm new to LW too, but here's what I've found out.

I don't have a clue on how to import and smooth data.

Unfortunately the answers to your other two questions appear to be no.

You can press the "a" key with the cursor over the curve window to fit all. If you set the "Limits" pull down (upper right corner) to be "Automatic Limits" This will move the graph editor window to show the pertinent part of the channel you've selected. (So if you're zoomed in you stay zoomed in.)

Also pressing the "g" key centers the window around your mouse...kind of a quick scrolling shortcut. I don't think there's a persistent zoom that always zooms out and centers a channels entire curve (if that's what you're asking for.)

On the bezier issue I think Newtek still has a ways to go. I haven't found any field that allows you to track the left and right off-sets for bezier curves.

I've found that beziers are non-continous at all times. Even if you double click on bezier handle to make it continous it leaves a cusp in the curve. I think it's best to stick with TCB curves until Newtek figures out how to implement beziers properly.

You may already know this but you can right click (Command Click on Mac) on a keyframe in the graph window to quickly access some options. You can also right click on items in the bin to access some options. Also I think "Shift + Control + Click" in the graph window will bring up the options for graph window.

By Gary Jaeger (216.38.144.206) on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 10:23 am:

>>You can press the "a" ...

>>Also pressing the "g" key...

thanks. those aren't what I was looking for, but I'm sure they'll come in handy

>>I don't think there's a persistent zoom that
>>always zooms out and centers a channels entire
>>curve (if that's what you're asking for.)

it is, and I guess I'll log a feature request.

>>On the bezier issue I think Newtek still has
>>a ways to go...

I guess so. EI has many weaknesses, but it's f-curve editor was not bad. you can set it to autozoom the channel. Which is good because sometimes the values of the data you're working on can be wildly different.

>>You may already know this but you can right...

I did find those.

Thanks for taking the time.

gary

By Jreble (Jreble) (152.31.224.61) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 09:59 am:

Allright, stupid question that I've asked before but since forgot the answer to.

How do you do away with a graph editor??

For example, if you had selected the graph editor for the diffuse function in the surface editor, how do you get it back so you can adjust the percentage slider again rather than having to use the graph editor from then on? This is very frustrating and I can never find it in the manual.

By Andrew Morgan (Aegisprime) (194.117.133.118) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 10:29 am:

Hold down shift and click the "E" button.