How can you use keyframes to create smooth animations?

1 What are keyframes?

Keyframes are the building blocks of 3D animation. They are markers that tell the software what values to assign to your objects at specific frames. For example, if you want to animate a ball bouncing, you can set keyframes for when the ball is at the highest and lowest points of its trajectory. The software will then interpolate the values between the keyframes, creating the illusion of motion. Keyframes can also be used to animate other properties, such as color, opacity, or shape.

2 How to set keyframes?

To set keyframes, you need to use an animation editor or timeline in your 3D software. Depending on the software, you may have different options to set keyframes, such as a menu, a button, a shortcut, or a drag-and-drop method. Generally, you should select the object or property you want to animate, move the playhead to the frame where you want to set the keyframe, adjust the value of the object or property to your desired state, set the keyframe by clicking on the keyframe icon or using the appropriate command, and repeat these steps for each frame where you want to set a keyframe. Doing so will help you create smooth animations.

4 How to use interpolation modes?

Interpolation modes are settings that affect how the software transitions from one keyframe to another, making your animation smoother, more realistic, or more dynamic. There are several types of interpolation modes, such as linear which creates a uniform and mechanical motion, ease in which starts slow and accelerates towards the next keyframe, ease out which starts fast and decelerates towards the next keyframe, ease in and out which starts slow, accelerates, and then decelerates towards the next keyframe, and bezier which follows a curved path from one keyframe to another allowing you to create custom and complex motions.

5 How to preview and export your animation?

After you have set, edited, and interpolated your keyframes, you can preview and export your animation. To preview your animation, you can use the play button or the scrubber in your timeline to see how your objects move and change over time. You can also adjust the frame rate, the loop mode, and the resolution of your preview. To export your animation, you can use the render or export function in your software to save your animation as a video file, a GIF, or a sequence of images. You can also choose the format, the quality, and the compression of your output file.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?