Comparing animation on different layers

You can think of layers like folders that contain and organize parcels of animation. You can use layers like folders to compare variations of animation.

To use layers to compare variations of animation:

1. Create a layer and rename it Folder1.
2. In the Animation Layer editor, right-click new layer and select Layer Mode Override from the context menu. (See also Creating animation layers).

   In Override mode, the name of the layer displays in bold.

   By default, when you the Override layer mode for a new layer, the Passthrough option is active and the layer is actually set to the Override-Passthrough layer mode.

3. Create a new layer and rename it “Folder2_Layer1”. This layer is in Additive mode by default.
4. Drag Folder2_Layer1 onto the Folder1 layer.

   This sets up a layer hierarchy with Folder2_Layer1 parented to Folder1. (See also Parenting and unparenting animation layers).

5. Select Folder2_Layer1, and animation the object. See Keyframing objects on animation layers.
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 to create and animate on as many layers as you need for Folder1.
7. Set up your second “folder” layer by repeating steps 1 to 6. This time, name your Override layer “Folder2”, and the Additive child layers “Folder2_Layer1” and so on.

   You now have two sibling layer hierarchies in your animation layer stack, one for Folder1 and one for Take2.

8. Play the animation.

   Notice that only the animation you created in the Folder2 hierarchy of layers plays in the scene. Since both the Folder1 and Folder2 parent layers are in Override mode, and Folder2 is higher in the stack, the animation from Folder 2 overrides the animation from Folder1.

9. To view the Folder1 animation (and compare it to Folder2), click the Solo button for the Folder1 layer, then play your animation.

   The Folder2 layer and its children are automatically muted when you Solo Folder1, letting you view only the animation from Folder1 in your scene.

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