, then it can be used for animation - using the tool at different frames in the timeline will cause the object you adjust to change over time.
The following tools are available to be used with any type of layer. Their purpose is to modify an entire layer, not just an individual object in that layer.
If a tool has the following symbol next to it: , then it can be used for animation - using the tool at different frames in the timeline will cause the object you adjust to change over time.
Click anywhere in the layer to set the origin to that point. The origin of a layer is indicated by the crosshair displayed when editing that layer. The origin is the point that the layer rotates around when using the Rotate Layer tool, and the point that the layer resizes around when using the Scale Layer tool. The location of the origin can also define how a layer will move when it is attached to a group of bones.
Although you can change the origin at any time, the position of a layer's origin is not animated. We recommend setting the layer's origin just once, and then leaving it alone for the rest of the animation - otherwise unpredictable movement can occur. In most cases, you will never need to change the origin of a layer at all.
Translate Layer
Use this tool to move the entire layer. It doesn't matter what objects are selected - everything in the layer will move when you use this tool. Holding the <shift> key while using the Translate Layer tool will constrain the layer to only move vertically or horizontally. Holding the <alt> key will move the layer forward and back (changing its depth, or Z value).
If the "Show Path" box in the tool options area is checked, then the motion path for the current layer will be displayed in the working area when this tool is active. This makes it easier to visualize and plan out the motion of a layer.
Nudging: When this tool is active, you can "nudge" a layer by small increments by holding down the <ctrl> key and pressing the arrow keys. Hold down <shift> in addition to <ctrl> to nudge the layer by a greater increment.
Scale Layer
Use this tool to resize the entire layer. When this tool is active, a red box will appear on top of the current layer. The handles around the edges of this box allow you to resize the layer. Drag a corner handle in and out to scale the layer while maintaining its proportions. Drag one of the side handles to change the horizontal scale, or the top or bottom handle to change the vertical scale. If you hold the <alt> key while dragging a side handle, Moho will resize the layer in such a way to maintain the overall volume of the objects in the layer - this can be useful for squash and stretch effects.
Rotate Layer Z
Use this tool to rotate the entire layer. Holding the <shift> key while using the Rotate Layer Z tool will constrain the rotation to 45 degree increments.
Rotate Layer X
Click and drag up and down to rotate the layer around the X (horizontal) axis. This is a true 3D rotation, so that one half of the layer rotates into the screen and the other half out of the screen.
Rotate Layer Y
Click and drag side-to-side to rotate the layer around the Y (vertical) axis. This is a true 3D rotation, so that one half of the layer rotates into the screen and the other half out of the screen. You can verify this by using the Orbit Workspace tool to change your view of the scene.
Shear Layer X
Use this tool to shear the current layer horizontally. Click and drag to shear, or slant the current layer to the left or right.
Shear Layer Y
Use this tool to shear the current layer vertically. Click and drag to shear, or slant the current layer up or down.
Switch Layer
This is a specialized tool for use with Switch layers only. This tool has no effect if you click and drag in the workspace. What it does is supply a popup menu in the tool options area that lists all the sub-layers of a switch group. You can change the active layer by selecting it from the menu.
Particle Layer
This is a specialized tool for use with Particle layers only. This tool has no effect if you click and drag in the workspace. What it does is supply a checkbox in the tool options area that lets you control whether the particle layer is turned on or not (emitting particles or not).
The following buttons appear in the toolbar as well, but work a little differently. Instead of selecting one of these to use in the working area, just click one of these buttons to modify the current layer.
Flip Layer Horizontally
Click this button to flip the current layer horizontally.
Flip Layer Vertically
Click this button to flip the current layer vertically.