Apple Motion 2 Getting Started - Manual (Page 17)

Chapter 1 Orientation 17
Note: When a Photoshop file contains more layers than can be displayed in the drop
menu, the Choose Layer option appears in the drop menu. Once Choose Layer is
chosen, use the Pick Layer to Import dialog to select which layer to import.
To import an Illustrator PDF file:
1 In the File Browser, select the Illustrator PDF file.
2 Drag the file to the Canvas.
The file creates a single object in a Motion layer.
The file is imported as a vector image and can be scaled without any degradation to
the image (when Fixed Resolution is deselected in the Media tab of the Inspector). The
imported file is the size of the Illustrator file. For more information on working with
Illustrator PDF files, see Chapter 2, “Creating and Managing Projects,” in Motion Help.
You can also use the File > Import command to import a Photoshop or Illustrator file.
The Canvas
You use the Canvas to view and interact with the objects in your project. You can drag
media files directly to the Canvas from the File Browser, as well as apply effects from
the Library to those files. As you add and edit effects, your changes update
immediately in the Canvas. Text, shapes, and masks are also created directly in the
Canvas.
The Canvas also includes the transport controls for scrubbing through and playing your
project. Once you have explored the Canvas, return to the Library to apply effects to
those objects in the Canvas.
In addition to the viewing area, the Canvas contains the following components:
• Toolbar: Use the Toolbar to transform objects, show and hide the Motion interface
components, add effects, and to change the view of your composite.
• Current Frame and Project Duration fields: The Current Frame field displays the
current location (frame or timecode) of the project playhead. The Project Duration
field displays the length of the project.
• Transport controls: Use the transport controls to play or scrub through your project,
to enable audio playback, and to enable keyframing.
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