1. A computer-implemented method of enabling user-selectable object control elements in an animation object manipulation tool, the method comprising: reading a first model from a model file, wherein the first model comprises visual elements and control elements, wherein a control element of the first model relates to a user interface control for altering one or more of the visual elements of the first model; reading a second model from the model file, wherein the second model comprises visual elements and control elements, wherein one or more of the visual elements and/or the control elements of the second model are inherited from the first model, and wherein a first control element of the first model is linked to a second control element of the second model that is inherited from the first model, wherein the second control element is associated with a second visual element of the second model; reading a third model from the model file, wherein the third model comprises visual elements and control elements, wherein one or more of the visual elements and/or the control elements of the third model are inherited from the first model, and wherein a first control element of the first model is linked to a third control element of the third model that is inherited from the first model, wherein the third control element is associated with a third visual element of the third model; receiving user input indicating a first modification to the first control element of the first model; and modifying the second control element of the second model and the third control element of the third model based on the first modification to the first control element of the first model.