Add Maya scene animation to the Time Editor

You can bring animation that is already open in the Maya scene for editing in the Time Editor. There is a different method for bringing files into the Time Editor when they aren't already loaded. To bring files into the Time Editor, see Import animation into the Time Editor.

Note: There must first be an object to which you want to add animation already in the scene when adding animation files onto a Time Editor track.

Add Maya scene animation to the Time Editor

The Time Editor supports animation made of keyed attributes driven by animation curves. You can also animate attributes animated by non-curves (such as constraints, expressions, and so on). Use the Constrained option in the Attributes to be Added section of the Time Editor Add Animation to the Time Editor options window for these attributes.

Note: The Time Editor overrides constrained attributes if you import animation for these attributes when there already an existing rig in your scene and the Time Editor is not muted. Use the Allow clip creation to override existing constraints option in the Time Editor area of the Animation (Settings) preferences to prevent constrained attributes from disabled by the Time Editor when you import a clip.

1. Select the animatable attributes you want to edit (skeleton, controllers, etc.) in the Viewport or Outliner.
   Important: Make sure that the object's animation is selected and that its keyframes appear in the Time Slider. If it is character animation, make sure that the Include Entire Hierarchy option in the Add Animation to the Time Editor options is turned on so you can bring in the animation applied to the entire Character.
2. In the Time Editor, select File > Add animation from Scene Selection> from the Time Editor menu bar. The Add Animation to the Time Editor options window opens.
3. In the Add animation to the Time Editor options, choose which animatable attributes you want to import. See Add Animation to the Time Editor options for more details about these options.

All Time Editor Animation Sources in the scene appear in the Outliner to display any Animation Sources and can be reapplied at any time. See Create clips from Animation Sources.

Note: When any attribute is in use by the Time Editor, they are highlighted in pale orange in the Channel Box and the Attribute Editor.