Copy and paste keys in curve editor not working (or just not clear)

[heynewt]

Hi, I'm somewhat new to MAX. I've been working in Modo and animating in Modo and Maya for years. I watched tutorials online about the curve editor, and I've seen people copy and paste keys in the MAX curve editor, but apparently I have some setting wrong. First of all I can't even copy selected keys in the curve editor at all like I see other people do.

See the attached screen shot. Secondly, when I can select one key on one isolated curve, it lets me copy that key. But when I attempt to paste that key into another position on the curve, it asks if I want that to be a copy or an instance. what? Either one I choose, no "paste" happens at all. I'm sure it's just something I'm doing wrong.

Thanks for any help.

[10DSpace · Accepted solution]

Hi @heynewt 

As explained in the thread below you cannot copy individual keys in the curve editor in max. 

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-animation-and-rigging/copy-paste-ease-values-in-curve-editor/...

On the other hand, it is a simple matter to copy (via shift + Drag)  keys on the timeline at the bottom of the Max screen.  The copied key appears instantly in the curve editor window.  So maybe not ideal, but a matter of seconds to shift your focus to the timeline and shift drag the key to wherever you want the copy on the timeline.  Then in the curve editor you can edit the key further as/if you like.  

The other issue that comes up is that when you copy a key on the timeline all the values (e.g, position x,y and Z) are copied and you cannot individually select say the x value alone.  However, in almost every case for my personal animation work, I want the all the key values to be copied, but if that is an issue for you, there may be scripted solutions for handling individual components of the key (search: maxscript copy animation keys).  

Hope this helps

[domo.spaji]

---

@10DSpace wrote:

As explained in the thread below you cannot copy individual keys in the curve editor in max. 

Actually, you can.

No tricks&scripts, it is explained in help files - somewhere in Track View chapter.

As for the unnecessary animation keys there is build in tool - Simplify Curve.

http://help.autodesk.com/view/3DSMAX/2015/ENU/?guid=GUID-0F1A6517-2989-4638-9D8F-0F3DD18A4BCF

With low threshold it will remove only keys with same value and tangents.

It would be nearly impossible to work on animations without reducing keys (except some simple animations).

[domo.spaji · Accepted solution]

You've seen people copy and paste (Animation) Controllers in the curve editor, not keys.

Normally, if controller is animated and have keys, you can paste it to another controller and that way paste all keys from copied one.

Some controllers don't need keys for animation (Waveform or Noise)

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2020/ENU/3DSMa...

Right- click on right place in track view and go to "show toolbars", check Controllers.

Depending what you have selected, on mouse-over copy or paste icon from that toolbar text will change to copy/paste Object, Modifier or Controller

[heynewt]

Ok, thanks everyone for the responses.  Ha, I've got to figure out this new workflow for Max.  Years of simply copying and pasting keyframes is going to be hard to match for efficiency.  I think probably Shift-Move is going to achieve mostly what I want.

also, I'll brush up on animation controllers

Anyway, thanks!