Action Editor works basically only for transforms of single objects? WHY?
I want to use NLA workflows for everything not only armatures. It's based on Actions and the actions only let you include transformation keys. What about making it working with every animable value in blender? So Camera animations can incorporate focal or focus distance. Or material animations mixed with object animations for the glowing machine as soon as it reaches a point in it's local animation. Endless possibilities. I get it that actions should be like interchangable clips of animation working on every possible object, BUT then let group multiple clips together into one masteraction? Need this all the time. Why not?
Please implement. The NLA system has incredible potential far beyond armatures.
Edit, put an picture into it
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I had the same problem. My current solution is
This way, you can save keyframes for any property in the action.
* @jun666 * first a disclaimer. I hope I am "on topic" here. I have one action that includes an armature with multiple object. One object is an emitting plane particle system. When using the action in NLA the emitting plane timing is as is in pose mode, but it is not tied in anyway to the armature action. Is there a proper way to offset the emission plane timing properties? I am rather new to blender and have not yet worked with drivers, but will check that out if that is the way to go.
Thanks in advance for any tips!
Checking if I understand: you mean to add support for grouping multiple actions within the NLA and be able to treat the group as a single NLA strip? And such groups should not be limited to a single object. Groups should support animating multiple objects?
You can already group across a single track by using a Meta strip. Selecting multiple objects also shows all their NLA so you can reorganize the strips. I'm sure you meant something more so can you describe it more clearly?
* @GuiltyGhost * I want to change something like the new added picture in the main post (which is a coherent mechanical animation made from numerous sub animations) shrunken down to just ONE NLA strip. For the professional work where you do more than donuts, you know. Other animation packages can compress this into one main-animation, even put a time curve onto it. Imagine trying to simply retime this monster in blender, now try a custom time remapping curve.
You can you use dope sheet and curve editor with NLA. Those expose all channels. Action editor only shows object level channels in contrast to shape key editor which shows only shape key channels... But for camera data channels you should use dope sheet or curve editor.
* @yasharjk * No graph editor and dope keys can't be transformed / scaled / retimed / cycled in NLA, they are visible but not more. Also NLA lackt the capability to group multiple actions together.