Changing Frame Length of Action to Match First and Last Keyframe

The core of my question is “How do I change the frame length of an action.” I haven’t been able to find a menu item to do it.

Here is an example of how I’m getting into the situation.

  • In the Action Editor window, select an action. First key frame at 1. Last key frame at 51. Action length 51.
  • Create a new action, resulting in a copy of the original action.
  • After editing the new action, the first key frame is at 1 and the last at 13. But the action length is still at 51. This causes problems when using the action in places such as the NLA editor.

So I either need to figure out how to change the action length, or how to duplicate and edit existing actions without inheriting the original action’s length.

Just dig into the properties of that second action and find “Sync Action Length”, under the Action Clip settings.

Just dig into the properties of that second action and find “Sync Action Length”, under the Action Clip settings.

I’ve performed web searches based on variations of “sync action length” and “action properties”. I’ve also searched through the Action Editor menus and Button Window for something that will allow be to edit the properties of an action datablock in the way you describe. No luck so far.

There is “Tranform Properties” in the NLA Editor. (NLA Editor -> Strip -> Strip properties… / NKEY) But those properties apply to action strips. They don’t change the duration of the original action on which the strip is based.

If what you describe updates the duration of the action rather than the action strip, then can you provide details on how to get to the properties dialog?

Thanks.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5229367093_b461bc1586_m.jpg
Screen shot 2010-12-03 at 3.41.26 PM by Watch Mike, on Flickr

You can also scale the action in the action editor. Select the keys you wish to transform and use the s key like in 3d view.