Edit menu in Motion

The Edit menu contains familiar commands such as Undo, Cut, Copy, and Paste and also contains commands to select and delete objects, modify project properties, and control the Motion spelling checker.

• Undo: Restores the project to the state prior to the action previously taken. This command is usually followed by the name of the last command performed (Undo Move or Undo Rotation Change, for example). If the menu item is dimmed, you cannot undo. (Command-Z)

• Redo: Performs the action that was previously undone. This command is usually followed by the name of the last command performed (Redo Move or Redo Rotation Change, for example). It’s only active if one or more actions have been undone. (Shift-Command-Z)

• Cut: Removes the selection and stores it on the Clipboard so it can be pasted later. (Command-X)

• Copy: Copies the selection and stores it on the Clipboard so it can be pasted later. (Command-C)

• Paste: Adds the current Clipboard selection to the project based on the current selection. This command is not available if nothing is on the Clipboard or if the contents of the Clipboard cannot be pasted to the current selection—for example, text cannot be pasted onto a keyframe. (Command-V)

• Paste Special: Gives you the choice to paste the contents of the Clipboard into the active Timeline by inserting (pushing existing objects out of the way) or exchanging or overwriting (replacing existing objects with the selected object). See Copy and paste objects in the Motion Timeline. (Option-Command-V)

• Duplicate: Makes a copy of the current selection and immediately adds it to the project. (Command-D)

• Delete: Removes the current selection, leaving a gap in the Timeline. (Delete)

• Ripple Delete: Removes the current selection and closes the gap in the Timeline. (Shift-Delete)

• Insert Time: Adds blank space into the Timeline. You can use Insert Time only after selecting a time region in the Timeline ruler. See Edit a range of frames in the Motion Timeline.

• Split: Breaks an object into two objects, each on its own Timeline track. The split occurs at the current playhead position. If no object is selected, or if the playhead is not positioned over a selected object, this menu item is dimmed.

• Transform Control Points: When multiple control points of a shape or mask are selected, choosing this command creates a bounding box around the points. See Add or delete control points. (Option-Shift-Command-T)

• Select All: Selects all objects in the project. (Command-A)

• Deselect All: Releases any objects selected in the project. (Shift-Command-A)

• Project Properties: Selects the Project object in the Layers list and opens the Properties Inspector. Use this pane to change the settings for the project. See Intro to project properties. (Command-J)

• Spelling and Grammar: Opens the macOS submenu of spell-checking controls that allow you to search through the selected text for spelling and grammatical errors. See macOS Help.

• Find and Replace: Opens the Find and Replace dialog, where you can locate and change a word (or any set of characters) that you’ve used in a Motion project. See Find and replace text.

• Start Dictation: Enables and disables dictation. Dictation must be turned on in the Dictation pane of Keyboard settings. See macOS Help.

• Emoji & Symbols: Opens the macOS Character Viewer, which provides access to nontypical text characters like bullets, arrows, and currency icons. It can be used when typing in a text object in the canvas, or when typing in the Text editor in the Text Inspector. (Control-Command-Space bar)