Keyframes and easing
Two ideas run the whole timeline. A keyframe says where something is at a moment. Easing says how it gets from one keyframe to the next.
Add keyframes
Each property of a layer, like position, scale, rotation or opacity, has its own row in the timeline. There are three ways to add a keyframe at the playhead:
- Click the keyframe button next to the property in the inspector.
- Focus the property's row in the timeline and press Enter. Press it again to remove the keyframe.
- Turn on Record keyframes in the timeline bar. While it is on, every change adds a keyframe at the playhead. Click it again to stop.
Move, copy and delete them
- Drag a keyframe to move it in time.
- AltArrows moves the selected keyframes by one frame.
- Cmd or CtrlC copies the selected keyframes and Cmd or CtrlV pastes them at the playhead.
- J and K jump to the previous and next keyframe on the focused row.
- Right-click a keyframe for easing presets, copy, paste, reverse, delete, select all, and stagger across layers.
Shape the motion with easing
Easing decides how a move speeds up and slows down. Select a keyframe and press E, or right-click it and choose the easing editor. There are four kinds:
- Curve. Drag the two handles, or type the numbers. The shape of the line is the shape of the motion.
- Spring. Real spring physics. Stiffer springs snap faster, less damping bounces more, more mass feels heavier.
- Linear. One steady speed from start to end. Good for spinning and scrolling.
- Hold. Stays still, then jumps to the next keyframe. Good for blinking and flipbook steps.
Presets get you close fast: Smooth, Ease out, Ease in, Soft, Snappy, Overshoot, Anticipate, Back in and out, Linear, Hold, Spring, Gentle spring and Wobbly spring.
Easing belongs to the keyframe where a move starts, and shapes the way to the next one. The last keyframe has nothing after it, so there is nothing to shape.
Which easing to use
| When something | Try |
|---|---|
| Arrives on screen | Ease out: fast start, soft landing |
| Leaves the screen | Ease in: slow start, fast exit |
| Moves across the screen | Smooth |
| Should feel playful | Overshoot or Spring |
| Spins forever, like a loader | Linear |
| Blinks or steps | Hold |
You can try the presets live on the editor page.
Something missing or wrong here? Write to hello@mosso.video.