Hi, I'm sure there's a simple answer to this, but I just haven't been able to find it. I'm trying to freeze a character, then have it move at a specific frame. For example, I have 90 frames. I want the character to just stand frozen for the first 80 frames, then move on the last 10. But, no matter what I do, the character starts moving at frame 1. And when I add keyframes at frame 80, things are even worse. Then, the character makes some humanly impossible movements. What am I overlooking? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, john...

You need to use the "Constant section" function if the animation palette. See the user man for more info, but you basically select the frames where you don't want movement then click the constant section button (looks like a dash). You'll probably have to tweak because humans are never 100% still, so it may look strange. -Mark

Boy can I relate. I had the same problems when I started animating but these are easy things to fix and understand. First, to keep you character still use the "Constant" (gray box)or dashed line interpolation method (as markdc said above)until you want the movements to start. These four interpolation methods (in the upper right part of the key frame editor) are invaluable once you get going. Second, the problem of your character making wacky movements is improper spline interpolation. If you check your key frames, they are probably green - this is not good in the beginning. Eventually you want to convert them but not now. I usually start by highlighting all my first key frames and either pick "Constant" or "Linear" (the brown colored box with the zig-zag). This way spline interpolation can be easily controlled. Later you want to convert most (or mayber all) to the green "Spline" interpolation but not in the beginning. A great tutorial on this stuff is at http://www.keithlango.com/. He uses Maya, but the principles of setting up an animation are invaluable. It is the "Pose-to-Pose" tutorial. Hope this helps, Chris

Thanks Mark and Chris, I really appreciate it. The Constant button seems to work, but I will check out that site to see what I can see. Thanks again, john...