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Synopsis

simplify( animatedObject , [animation=string], [attribute=string], [controlPoints=boolean], [float=floatrange], [floatTolerance=float], [hierarchy=string], [includeUpperBound=boolean], [index=uint], [shape=boolean], [time=timerange], [timeTolerance=time], [valueTolerance=float])

Note: Strings representing object names and arguments must be separated by commas. This is not depicted in the synopsis.

simplify is undoable, NOT queryable, and NOT editable.

This command operates on a keyset. A keyset is defined as a group of keys within a specified time range on one or more animation curves.

The animation curves comprising a keyset depend on the value of the "-animation" flag:

Note that the "-animation" flag can be used to override the curves uniquely identified by the multi-use "-attribute" flag, which takes an argument of the form attributeName, such as "translateX".

Keys on animation curves are identified by either their time values or their indices. Times and indices can be given individually or as part of a list or range.

Omitting one end of a range means "go to infinity", as in the following examples:

This command will simplify (reduce the number of keyframes) an animation curve.

Return value

intNumber of animation curves simplified

Flags

animation, attribute, controlPoints, float, floatTolerance, hierarchy, includeUpperBound, index, shape, time, timeTolerance, valueTolerance
Long name (short name) Argument types Properties
animation(an) string create
Where this command should get the animation to act on. Valid values are "objects," "keys," and "keysOrObjects" Default: "keysOrObjects." (See Description for details.)
attribute(at) string createmultiuse
List of attributes to select

In query mode, this flag needs a value.

controlPoints(cp) boolean create
This flag explicitly specifies whether or not to include the control points of a shape (see "-s" flag) in the list of attributes. Default: false. (Not valid for "pasteKey" cmd.)

In query mode, this flag needs a value.

float(f) floatrange createmultiuse
value uniquely representing a non-time-based key (or key range) on a time-based animCurve. Valid floatRange include single values (-f 10) or a string with a lower and upper bound, separated by a colon (-f "10:20")

In query mode, this flag needs a value.

floatTolerance(ft) float create
Specify the x-axis tolerance (defaults to 0.05) for float-input animCurves such as those created by "Set Driven Keyframe". This flag is ignored on animCurves driven by time. Higher floatTolerance values will result in sparser keys which may less accurately represent the initial curve.
hierarchy(hi) string create
Hierarchy expansion options. Valid values are "above," "below," "both," and "none." (Not valid for "pasteKey" cmd.)

In query mode, this flag needs a value.

includeUpperBound(iub) boolean create
When the -t/time or -f/float flags represent a range of keys, this flag determines whether the keys at the upper bound of the range are included in the keyset. Default value: true. This flag is only valid when the argument to the -t/time flag is a time range with a lower and upper bound. (When used with the "pasteKey" command, this flag refers only to the time range of the target curve that is replaced, when using options such as "replace," "fitReplace," or "scaleReplace." This flag has no effect on the curve pasted from the clipboard.)
index(index) uint createmultiuse
index of a key on an animCurve

In query mode, this flag needs a value.

shape(s) boolean create
Consider attributes of shapes below transforms as well, except "controlPoints". Default: true. (Not valid for "pasteKey" cmd.)

In query mode, this flag needs a value.

time(t) timerange createmultiuse
time uniquely representing a key (or key range) on a time-based animCurve. Valid timeRanges include single values (-t 10) or a string with a lower and upper bound, separated by a colon (-t "10:20")

In query mode, this flag needs a value.

timeTolerance(tt) time create
Specify the x-axis tolerance (defaults to 0.05 seconds) for time-input animCurves. This flag is ignored on animCurves driven by floats. Higher time tolerance values will result in sparser keys which may less accurately represent the initial curve.
valueTolerance(vt) float create
Specify the value tolerance (defaults to 0.01)

Flag can appear in Create mode of command Flag can appear in Edit mode of command
Flag can appear in Query mode of command Flag can have multiple arguments, passed either as a tuple or a list.

Python examples

import maya.cmds as cmds

cmds.polySphere()
cmds.setKeyframe( '.tx' )
cmds.simplify( time=(1,10) )