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USE THE PARAMETER DIALS
For more precise changes to a pose, you can use the parameter dials found in the Parameter/Properties palette, shown in Figure 3-27. You can open this palette by selecting Window, Parameter Dials. The parameter dials affect the selected element that is listed at the top of the palette.

The available dials are different depending on the item and figure that is selected.

Changing Dial Values
To the right of each parameter dial is its value. To change this value, click and drag the dial to the right to increase its value or to the left to decrease its value. If you click the value itself, the value is selected within a text field where you can type a new value using the keyboard.

[Figure 3-27] Parameter/Properties

palette

Resetting Dial Values
To the right of each parameter dial is an arrow icon that opens a pop-up menu of options. If you select the Reset option, the value changes to its last memorized value. You can set the memorized value for a figure, element, light, or camera using the Edit, Memorize menu command.

You can also reset a parameter value by clicking the parameter dial with the Alt/Option key held down.

[Figure 3-28] Edit Parameter Dial dialog box

Changing Parameter Settings
Double-clicking the parameter dial or selecting the Settings option from the pop-up menu opens the Edit Parameter Dial dialog box, shown in Figure 3-28. Using this dialog box, you can change the current value, Minimum and Maximum Limit values, the Parameter Name, and its Sensitivity. Lower sensitivity values require a larger mouse drag to change the parameter value.

The parameter pop-up menu also includes options for creating master and dependent parameters.

Understanding Unique Morph Parameters
Most of the parameter dials relate directly to the Editing tools such as Taper, Scale, Twist, and Translate, but several of the dials found in the Parameters palette are unique. These unique parameters are actually morph targets and you can alter them by changing the parameter’s values. Some example morph targets include the following:

• Side-Side, Bend, Up-Down, Front-Back. Causes elements to be rotated in a specific direction based on the element. For example, the Side-Side parameter rotates the torso and feet to the side, the Bend parameter rotates the torso forward and backwards and the feet up and down, and the Front-Back parameter moves the arms forward and backward.

• Eye Dilate. When an eye element is selected, a unique parameter called Dilate is available for changing the size of the pupil and iris.

• Face Morphs. If the head element is selected, a number of face morph parameters are available for changing the brows, eyes, nose, and so on. These parameters can be used to create unique expressions and are covered in Chapter 9, “Creating a Face and Facial Expressions.”