Create Preview Animations

You can create 3D preview animations and adjust the settings before you create a motion path animation.

Preview animations are created with the controls on the Animation panel found on the ribbon and the 3D navigation tools. Once a 3D navigation tool is active, the controls on the Animation panel are enabled to start recording an animation.

The following commands can be used to create an animation

3DCORBIT
3DDISTANCE
3DFLY
3DFORBIT
3DORBIT
3DPAN
3DSWIVEL
3DWALK
3DZOOM

To learn more about the 3D navigation tools available for creating an animation, see Use 3D Navigation Tools.

Procedure

To create a preview animation

If the Animations panel is not displayed on the Render tab, right-click the Render tab and click Panels Animations.
Start any 3D navigation command such as 3DORBIT.
Click Render tab Animations panel Animation Record.
Navigate through the drawing. If you are in walk or fly mode, you can use the Position Locator window as a visual guide.
(Optional) Do any of the following:
- Right-click the drawing and click Other Navigation Modes. Click another navigation mode.
- Click Render tab Animations panel Animation Pause to set up another navigation mode or adjust animation settings. If you are in walk or fly mode, you can also adjust settings for the Position Locator window.
To review the animation, click Render tab Animations panel Animation Play. In the Animation Preview dialog box, view the animation, and do the following:
- If you want to preview the animation in a different visual style, select another style from the drop-down list.
- If you are satisfied with the animation playback, click the Pause button. Then click the Save button.
In the Save As dialog box, select a file location, file name, and file type (AVI, MPG, MOV, or WMV).
Click Save.

To record a preview animation

If the Animations panel is not displayed on the Render tab, right-click the Render tab and click Panels Animations.
Start any navigation command such as 3DORBIT.
Click Render tab Animations panel Animation Record.
Navigate through the model to record the movement.
When you are finished recording the animation, click Render tab Animations panel Animation Pause.
To review the animation, click Render tab Animations panel Animation Play. In the Animation Preview dialog box, view the recording to verify that the animation is suitable for your presentation needs.
NoteThe playback of the animation gives you a general visual idea of the final output. It may not display the visual style or with the same quality of the final output.
If you are satisfied with the animation, click the Pause button. Then click the Save button.
In the Save As dialog box, choose a location and file name.
NoteTo change the file type, click the Animation Settings button. In the Animation Settings dialog box, Format option, click a file type. Click OK to return to the Save As dialog box.
Click Save.

Quick Reference

Commands

3DCLIP

Starts an interactive 3D view and opens the Adjust Clipping Planes window.

3DCORBIT

Rotates the view in 3D space with continuous motion.

3DDISTANCE

Starts the interactive 3D view and makes objects appear closer or farther away.

3DFLY

Changes the 3D view in a drawing interactively to create the appearance of flying through the model.

3DFORBIT

Rotates the view in 3D space without constraining roll.

3DORBIT

Rotates the view in 3D space, but constrained to horizontal and vertical orbit only.

3DORBITCTR

Sets the center of rotation in 3D Orbit view.

3DPAN

When a drawing is in a Perspective view, starts the interactive 3D view and enables you to drag the view horizontally and vertically.

3DSWIVEL

Changes the target of the view in the direction that you drag.

3DWALK

Changes the 3D view in a drawing interactively to create the appearance of walking through the model.

3DZOOM

Zooms in and out in a perspective view.