Layers
You can manage animations in Mattercraft by using Layers. Layers provide you with the ability to control and organize Clips (States and Timelines), and to set default settings for animations.
Clips represent isolated sets of property change(s). Therefore, a single state or timeline is classed as a clip.
Creating a new Layer
Layers are essentially a group of clips. By organizing your clips into layers, you can create complex animations.
Layers are comparable to Controllers in Zapworks Studio.
To add a new layer to your Mattercraft project:
- Click on the Animations panel to open it up
- Click on Layers if it is not already selected
- Click on the + (plus) icon and then New Layer
- Type in your new layer’s name and begin adding Clips
Giving your layers brief but descriptive names will make them easier to manage; particularly when activating them with Behavior Actions or script.
Adding Clips to a Layer
Layers are essentially groups of clips. There are two main types of clips, they are called States and Timelines:
| Clip type | Description |
|---|---|
| States | A stored set of properties that can be activated and transitioned to. |
| Timelines | Allows for the creation of more complex, custom transition animations. |
To learn how to create state and timeline clips to layers, click on the relevant articles in the above table.
Customizing Layers
You can set default animation fade parameters (how the clips will transition when activated), which will be assigned to all clips found in that layer.
You can also override some default animation parameters with Behavior Actions.
| Animation parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Fade Time | The general time for a transition animation to occur over. The higher this number, the longer the transition will take. |
| Easing | Changes the look and speed of animation transitions. You may use the default Ease options or create your own custom Easing with the Easing Editor to create your own transition curves. |
| Pin to | Alters which stage of the animation the clip should occur. |
There are additional clip options from the right-click menu of a layer. Click here to discover more.
Playing a Clip
Activating and playing clips is essential when creating an interactive experience. You can activate clips based on an event, such as a user input, Raycasters or Triggers.
To learn how to play clips, continue to the relevant article below:
Next Article: Clips