Reference/Windows/Ipo

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IPO Header

WindowType

As with every window header, the first button enables you to set the window type.

Menus

The triangular button expand/collapses menus. Menus provide a self-explanatory way to access all Blender functions which can be performed in the IPO Window. They are context sensitive and will change depending on the selected Object and current Mode.

Windows with menus, as the IPO Window, does not have the standard "Full Window" and "Home" header buttons, actions which have moved to the View Menu.

Menu items are in general self-explanatory and the relative functionality will be explained later on in the HotKeys section. The actions which do not have an hotkey are the Extrapolation settings :

Extend mode Constant

The ends of selected IPO Curves are horizontally extrapolated.

Extend mode Direction

The ends of selected IPO Curves continue extending in the direction in which they end.

Extend mode Cyclic

The full length of the IPO Curve is repeated cyclically.

Extend mode Cyclic Extrapolation

The full length of the IPO Curve is extrapolated cyclic.

IPO Type

Depending on the active Object, a selection of the following IPO types is available.

Object

Settings, such as the location and rotation, are animated for the active Object. All Objects in Blender can have this IPO block. The table below shows the settings that are available for this data block and provides a brief description of each.

IPO Data Elements for Object IPO Data Blocks

IPO Data Item	Description
LocX	Absolute X location
LocY	Absolute Y location
LocZ	Absolute Z location
dLocX	Relative X location
dLocY	Relative Y location
dLocZ	Relative Z location
RotX	Absolute rotation around the X-axis
RotY	Absolute rotation around the Y-axis
RotZ	Absolute rotation around the Z-axis
dRotX	Relative rotation around the X-axis
dRotY	Relative rotation around the Y-axis
dRotZ	Relative rotation around the Z-axis
ScaleX	Absolute scaling along the X-axis
ScaleY	Absolute scaling along the Y-axis
ScaleZ	Absolute scaling along the Z-axis
dScaleX	Relative scaling along the X-axis
dScaleY	Relative scaling along the Y-axis
dScaleZ	Relative scaling along the Z-axis
Layer	Changes in Layer
Time	Changes in time
ColR	Changes to the Red component of the color
ColG	Changes to the Green component of the color
ColB	Changes to the Blue component of the color
FStrength	Strength of Force Fields
FFall	Fall-off of Force Fields
RDamp	Rigid Body rotation damping
Damping	Rigid Body damping
Perm	Deflector Permeability - percentage of particles allowed to pass deflector mesh

Material

Settings of the active Material are animated for the active Object. A numeric field appears immediately to the right of the IPO Type selection field when Material is selected. This field indicates the number of the active Texture channel. Eight Textures, each with its own mapping, can be assigned per Material. Thus, per Material-IPO , 8 curves in the row OfsX, OfsY,...Var are available. To change which material you are working on, change the number in the field by left clicking on the field and typing in a new value from 0 to 7.

IPO Data Elements for Material IPO Data Blocks

IPO Data Item	Description
R	Red
G	Green
B	Blue
SpecR	Red component of the specular reflection
SpecG	Green component of the specular reflection
SpecB	Blue component of the specular reflection
MirR	Red component of mirrored light
MirG	Green component of the mirrored light
MirB	Blue component of the mirrored light
Ref	The amount of reflection for diffuse shader
Alpha	Alpha value for the texture
Emit	Sets the amount of light the material emits
Amb	Amount of global ambient color the material receives
Spec	Degree of specularity
Hard	Hardness setting for specular shader
SpTra	SpecTra - makes specular areas opaque on translucent materials
Ior	Index of Refraction
Mode	Mode Fix Me - mode of material 4 - wire, 6 - halo ([[1]] line 38)
HaSize	Halo Size
Translu	Translucence - diffuse shading of the back side
RayMir	Amount of mirror reflection for ray trace
FresMir	Power of Fresnel for mirror reflection
FresMirl	FresMirl Fix Me - Don't know what this is for
FresTra	Fresnel Translucency?
FresTral	Fix Me - Don't know what this is for
TraGlow	Fix Me - Don't know what this is for
OfsX	Fine tunes the X mapping coordinates (Map Input)
OfsY	Fine tunes the Y mapping coordinates (Map Input)
OfsZ	Fine tunes the Z mapping coordinates (Map Input)
SizeX	Sets scaling on the texture's X-axis (Map Input)
SizeY	Sets scaling on the texture's Y-axis (Map Input)
SizeZ	Sets scaling on the texture's Z-axis (Map Input)
texR	Sets Red component of the Map To color
texG	Sets Green component of the Map To color
texB	Sets Blue component of the Map To color
DefVar	Default value the texture uses to mix with other textures
Col	Sets the amount the texture affects color values
Nor	Sets the amount the texture affects the normal
Var	Sets the amount the texture affects other values
Disp	Sets the amount the texture displaces the surface

World

Used to animate a number of settings for the WorldButtons. World too has several texture channels.

IPO Data Elements for World IPO Data Blocks

IPO Data Item	Description
HorR	Red component of the horizon color (world)
HorG	Green component of horizon color (world)
HorB	Blue component of horizon color
ZenR	Red component of the color at the zenith
ZenG	Green component of the color at the zenith
ZenB	Blue component of color at the zenith
Expos	Exponential color correction for the light
Misi	Controls Mist Simulation (mist/stars/physics)
MisDi	Mist Distance (mist/stars/physics)
MisSta	Start of Mist (mist/stars/physics)
MisHi	Height of Mist (mist/stars/physics)
StarR	Amount of red in star color
StarG	Amount of green in star color
StarB	Amount of blue in star color
StarDi	Hardness setting for specular shader
StarSi	SpecTra - makes specular areas opaque on translucent materials
OfsX	Offset of texture on x-axis
OfsY	Offset of texture on y-axis
OfsZ	Offset of texture on z-axis
SizeX	Sets scaling on the texture's X-axis (Map Input)
SizeY	Sets scaling on the texture's Y-axis (Map Input)
SizeZ	Sets scaling on the texture's Z-axis (Map Input)
texR	Sets Red component of the Map To color
texG	Sets Green component of the Map To color
texB	Sets Blue component of the Map To color
DefVar	Default value the texture uses to mix with other textures
Col	Sets the amount the texture affects color values
Nor	Sets the amount the texture affects the normal
Var	Sets the amount the texture affects other values

Shape Key

NOTE: Shape keys used to be known as Vertex Keys and Relative Vertex Keys, or RVKs.

Each key applied to the object will be displayed as a field in the right hand portion of the IPO editing window, like the fields for other IPO types. The curves created here are used to control the amount of influence each of the keys has over the shape.

See Absolute Shape Keys and Shape Keys for information on how shape keys are created and how they can be modified using the IPO Data blocks.

Constraint

If the active Object has a constraint its influence value can be animated via an IPO. Each constraint has its own IPO. Used to display the speed-IPO.

Sequence

The active Sequence Effect can have an IPO Curve.

Curve IPO

If the active Object is a path Curve, this button can be used to display the speed (time) IPO.

Camera IPO

The active camera IPO curves are shown.

Lamp IPO

If the active Object is a Lamp, this button can be used to animate light settings, comprehensive of textures.

IPO Menu

The DataButtons can be used to control which IPO block is shown and control it.

NOTE: When there is no IPO data block associated with an object, the toolbar will look like this. Instead of an IPO data block reference, like you see in the second image, there is only the up/down arrow button, as highlighted in the graphic. To add a data block, just click on the button and select one of the existing data blocks listed, or ADD NEW, if you want to start a new IPO data block.
When there is an existing IPO block for an object, the toolbar for the IPO Window will look like the highlighted section in the second graphic.

Pin IPO

The IPO Window shows the current IPO even if the linked Object is deselected.

IPO Menu

Choose another IPO from the list of available IPOs. The option Add New makes a complete copy of the current IPO. This is not visible; only the name in the adjacent button will change. Only IPOs of the same type are displayed in the menu list.

IP :

Give the current IPO a new and unique name. After the new name is entered, it appears in the list, sorted alphabetically.

Users

If this button is displayed, there is more than one user for the IPO block. Use the button to make the IPO "Single User ".

Unlink IPO

The current IPO is unlinked.

Fake User

The IPO block is saved even if unused.

Copy to Buffer

All selected IPO Curves are copied to a temporary buffer.

Paste from Buffer

All selected channels in the IPO Window are assigned an IPO Curve from the temporary buffer. The rule is: the sequence in which they are copied to the buffer is the sequence in which they are pasted. A check is made to see if the number of IPO Curves is the same.

   NOTE: If you want to paste IPO data onto an object, the object must 
   have an IPO data block to begin with.

View Border

Draw a rectangle to indicate what part of the IPO Window should be displayed in the full window.

Lock

This button locks the update of the 3DWindow while editing in the IPO Window, so you can see changes made to the IPO in realtime in the 3DWindow. This option works extremely well with relative vertex keys.

IPO Window

The IPO Window shows the contents of the IPO block. Which one depends on the IPO Type specified in the header. The standard IPO Window has a grid with the time expressed horizontally in frames and vertical values that depend on the channel. There are 2 sliders at the edge of the IPO Window. How far the IPO Window is zoomed in can be seen on the sliders, which can also be used to move the view .

The right-hand part of the window shows the available channels . To make it easier to work with rotation-IPO Curves, they are displayed in degrees (instead of in radiants). The vertical scale relation is: 1.0 'Blender unit' = 10 degrees. In addition to the IPO Curves, the VertexKeys are also drawn here. These are horizontal blue lines; the yellow line visualises the reference Key.

Each channel can be operated with two buttons :

IPO Curve Select

This button is only displayed if the channel has an IPO Curve. The button is the same colour as the IPO Curve. Use the button to select IPO Curves. Multiple buttons can be (de)selected using SHIFT-LMB .

Channel Select

A channel can be selected whether there is an IPO Curve or not. Only IPO Curves of selected channels are drawn. Multiple channels can be (de)selected using SHIFT-LMB.

Mouse

CTRL-LMB

Create a new vertex. These are the rules :

• There is no IPO block (in this window) and one channel is selected: a new IPO Block is created along with the first IPO Curve with one vertex.
• There is already an IPO block, and a channel is selected without an IPO Curve: a new IPO Curve with one vertex is added.
• Otherwise a new vertex is simply added to the selected IPO Curve.
• This is not possible if multiple IPO Curves are selected or if you are in EditMode.

MMB

Depending on the position within the window :

• On the channels; if the window is not tall enough to display them completely, the visible part can be scrolled up and down.
• On the sliders; these can be moved. This only works if you are zoomed in.
• The rest of the window; the view is translated.

CTRL-MMB

Zoom in/out on the IPO Window. You can zoom horizonally or vertically using horizontal and vertical mouse movements.

RMB

Selection works the same here as in the 3DWindow: normally one item is elected. Use SHIFT to add/remove from the selection.

• If the IPO Window is in IPO Key mode, the IPO Keys can be selected.
• If at least 1 of the IPO Curves is in EditMode, only its vertices can be selected.
• VertexKeys can be selected if they are drawn (horizontal lines).
• The IPO Curves can be selected.

RMB and drag

Select and start translation mode, i.e. the Grabber. The selection can be made using any of the four selection methods discussed above.

SHIFT-RMB

Adds/removes from the selection.

HotKeys

NUM- NUM+

Zoom in, zoom out.

PAGEUP

Select the next IPO Key. If more than one IPO Key is selected, the selection is shifted cyclically.

SHIFT-PAGEUP

Add the next IPO Key to the selection.

PAGEDOWN

Select the previous IPO Key. If more than one Object Key is selected, the selection is shifted cyclically.

SHIFT-PAGEDOWN

Add the previous IPO Key to the selection.

HOME

All visible curves are displayed completely, centered in the window.

TAB

All selected IPO Curves go into or out of EditMode. This mode allows you to transform individual vertices.

A

Select All / deselect All. If any item is selected, first everything is deselected. Placing the mouse cursor above the channels, (de)selects all channels where there is a curve.

B

Border select. Draw a rectangle with the LMB; all items that fall within this rectangle are selected. Draw a rectangle with the RMB to deselect .

SHIFT-C

Centers the view on the current frame, without zooming.

C

If one vertex or one IPO Key is selected, the current frame number is set to this position.

SHIFT-D

Duplicate IPO. All selected vertices or IPO Keys are copied. Then translation mode is started automatically.

G

Translation mode (the Grabber). This works on selected curves, keys or vertices. Alternatives for starting this mode :

• RMB and drag.

The following options are available in translation mode:

• Limiters:
• CTRL increments of 1 frame or vertical unit.
• SHIFT-CTRL increments of 0.1 frame or vertical unit.
• MMB restricts the current translation to the X or Y axis. Blender calculates which axis to use, based on the already initiated mouse movement. Click MMB again to restore unlimited translation.
• ARROWS: With these keys the mouse cursor can be moved exactly 1 pixel.
• X Limits translation to the X axis.
• Y Limits translation to the Y axis.

Grabber can be terminated with:

• LMB, SPACE or ENTER: Move to the new position.
• RMB or ESC: Everything returns to the old position.

H

Toggle Handle align / free .

SHIFT-H

Set Handle auto. The selected Bezier handles are converted to auto type.

I

Insert Key. Vertices can be added to the visible curves in the IPO Window. A PopupMenu asks you to make a choice :

• Current Frame: All visible curves get a vertex on the current frame.
• Selected Keys: (only in IPO Key mode) all selected IPO Keys get vertices for each visible curve, including IPO Curves that are not part of the IPO Key.

J

Join vertices. Selected vertices or IPO Keys can be joined. A PopupMenu asks you to make a choice :

• All Selected: all selected vertices are replaced by a new one.
• Selected doubles: all selected vertices that are closer to each other than 0.9 frame are joined.

K

IPO Key mode ON/OFF. If the IPO block is Object IPO type, the Objects are redrawn with the option DrawKey ON (see the explanation under IPO Header).

R

Recording mode. The X and Y movements of the mouse are linked to the height of the IPO Curve. Thus, this works with a maximum of two selected channels or IPO Curves. The old curve is completely deleted; the new one becomes a 'linear' type. You cannot change parts of curves with recording. The scale at which this happens is determined by the view of the IPO Window. A PopupMenu asks you to make a choice :

• Still: The current frame is used as the starting point.
• Play anim: The animation starts, allowing you to see the correlation with other animation systems.

During recording mode, the CTRL must be held down to actually start recording. Press SPACE or ENTER or LMB to stop recording.

Use ESC to undo changes.

S

Scaling mode - This works on selected IPO Curves and vertices. The degree of scaling is precisely linked to the mouse movement. Try to move from the (rotation) midpoint with the mouse.

In IPO Key mode, you can only scale horizontally.

Limiters :

• CTRL: in increments of 0.1.
• SHIFT-CTRL: in increments of 0.01.
• MMB limits scaling to the X or Y axis. Blender calculates which axis to use based on the already initiated mouse movement. Click MMB again to return to free scaling.
• ARROWS: These keys allow you to move the mouse cursor exactly 1 pixel.
• X Limits scaling to the X axis.
• Y Limits scaling to the Y axis.

Terminate size mode with:

• LMB SPACE or ENTER: To finalize scaling.
• RMB or ESC: Everything returns to its previous state.

SHIFT-S

Snap Menu.

• Horizontal: The selected Bezier handles are set to horizontal.
• To next: The selected handle or vertex is set to the same (Y) value as the next one.
• To frame: The selected handles or vertices are set to the exact frame values.
• To current frame: The selected handle or vertex is moved to the current frame.

T

If an IPO Curve is selected: "IPO Type". The type of selected IPO Curves can be changed. A PopupMenu asks you to make a choice :

• Constant: After each vertex of the curve, this value remains constant, and is not interpolated.
• Linear: Linear interpolation occurs between the vertices.
• Bezier: The vertices get a handle (i.e. two extra vertices) with which you can indicate the curvature of the interpolation curve.

If a Key is selected: "Key Type". The type of selected Keys can be changed.

• Linear: Linear interpolation occurs between the Keys. The Key line is displayed as a broken line.
• Cardinal: Fluent interpolation occurs between the Keys; this is the default.
• BSpline: Extra fluent interpolation occurs between the Keys, four Keys are now involved in the interpolation calculation. Now the positions themselves cannot be displayed precisely, however. The Key line is shown as a broken line.

V

Vector Handle. The selected Bezier handles are converted to vector type.

X

Erase selected. The selected vertices, IPO Keys or IPO Curves are deleted. If there are selected VertexKeys, they are also deleted.

See also

• PART VII - ANIMATION BASICS

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