Thanks that helped a great bunch I was also trying to Key frame in a manner similar to After effects instead of treating the shape keys as sliders for separate animations.

<img src="http://blend-exchange.giantcowfilms.com/embedImage.png?‌​bid=1656" /> I'm trying to edit this to construct over time and I seem to be able to get the results if i started with a new shape then keying the constructions. Still unsure why I can't transform that object though

Unlike that user when I try to edit my mesh nothing happens the object refuses to change I get red axis lines