Editing Storyboard Pro Timeline Cookbook (section)

=== Spread layer motion ===

'''Spread layer motion''' is the mechanism for animating a transformation on a layer over multiple panels.

* In the '''Timeline''' click on the first panel (or panel group) of the series of panels over which the animated transform will occur.
* In the '''Camera View''' select the layer in the panel that will be animated. Make sure "animate" is toggled on (the yellow running figure icon).
* In the '''Timeline''' create a keyframe on the first frame of the panel. The first keyframe must be on the first frame.
* Go to the last frame of the panel. (The 2nd keyframe must be on the last frame of the panel.)
* Use the '''Transform Tool''' to move, scale or rotate the Layer, and another keyframe will be added in the '''Timeline'''.
* Delete or hide corresponding layers in following panels.
** If desired, rename the layer in the first panel so it doesn't conflict with the naming of the layer on subsequent panels.
** The corresponding layer (by name) on the subsequent panels can be deleted from those panels.
** When '''Spread Layer Motion''' is applied a new layer with the same artwork as the source panel will be added to the following panels. 
* '''Layer''' > '''Spread Layer Motion...'''
** Choose the number of panels to spread the transformation over.
** The keyframe will remain where it was, but the transform will take plane over multiple panels.
** The layer being transformed shouldn't be visible in any panels beyond the first panel.

There is no way to tweak the transition after applying '''Spread Layer Motion'''. If the length of the panels are changed, the time of that segment of the transition will change with it. The ending keyframe on the first panel will no longer correspond to its initial value. The initial value will be found on the ending keyframe of the last panel in the transition.

'''Layer''' > '''Reset Transform''' will set the Layer back to wherever it was before the '''Transform Tool''' was used to manipulate it.