Can you use the graph AND motion editor?

[Aliassfm]

I use the graph editor for pretty much everything but recently started using the motion editor because of how awesome the falloffs were for animating. In the past I've made a keyframed animation and then used the motion editor to adjust things at the end.

I was wondering if I was possible to do a keyframed animation ---> Alter it with the motion editor ---> Go back to keyframes.

It seems to erase the keyframes I had when I edit it ( I was hoping it would just update them) and adding any more keyframes destroys the motion editor's curve.

Thanks

[ConfederateJoe]

I use the motion editor after I'm done with the graph editor so I can make adjustments without worrying about my keys. I'll also use it to make jiggle effects where I need them.

[Capt Fuzzy]

Yes, you can use both, and to be honest, most of your "better" animators DO use both.
Both have distinct advantages, depending on what you are trying to accomplish.

[Aliassfm]

@confederateJoe is there a specific way to do the jiggle effects with the motion editor? I've very new to the motion editor. I can't imagine that the jitter preset helps much. I just manually keyframe it and it SUCKS for stuff like hair and loose cloth.

@CaptFuzzy Can you elaborate a little? Is there a way to go between the two without ruining the motion editor's curves / destroying existing keys?

[Capt Fuzzy]

Originally posted by Aliassfm:

@CaptFuzzy Can you elaborate a little? Is there a way to go between the two without ruining the motion editor's curves / destroying existing keys?

As I said, that depends on what you are trying to accomplish...
From my experience, and I do not claim to be an expert here, I've learned that the motion editor is more "time selection based" and the graph editor is more "keyframe or point based".
What that means to me is the motion editor basically controls motion over time, and the graph editor controls timing of motion.

I don't know if this makes sense to you or not, but it's about the best way I can think of to explain it... lol

[Aliassfm]

I understand the usage. I get that. I don't understand the technical, literal, way of swapping between the two. As I said in my original post, the issue is that the motion editor erases the keyframes and keyframes overwrite the motion editor.

I'm not asking about reasons, I'm asking literally how you use both together

[Capt Fuzzy]

Originally posted by Aliassfm:

I understand the usage. I get that. I don't understand the technical, literal, way of swapping between the two. As I said in my original post, the issue is that the motion editor erases the keyframes and keyframes overwrite the motion editor.

I'm not asking about reasons, I'm asking literally how you use both together

They shouldn't overwrite one another, they should compliment each other...
For my animations, I typically use the motion editor, I then go into the graph editor and tweak individual bones, to enhance the overall animation...

Example:
Say I want a scout to double up his fist as he's taking a swing at a spy.
I would use the motion editor to do the main part, the swing.
Then use the graph editor to make him double up his fist AS he's swinging.