Apply and change keyframe interpolation methods



You can apply and change the interpolation method for any keyframe. You can apply changes using the Keyframe Interpolation dialog box, or you can apply them directly to a keyframe in layer bar mode, in a motion path, or in the Graph Editor. You can also change the default interpolation After Effects uses for spatial properties.

Change interpolation method with the Keyframe Interpolation dialog box

The Keyframe Interpolation dialog box provides options for setting temporal and spatial interpolation and—for spatial properties only—roving settings.

  1. In layer bar mode or in the Graph Editor, select the keyframes you want to change.
  2. Choose Animation > Keyframe Interpolation.
  3. For Temporal Interpolation, choose one of the following options:
    Current Settings
    Preserves the interpolation values already applied to the selected keyframes. Choose this option when multiple or manually adjusted keyframes are selected and you do not want to change the existing settings.

    Linear, Bezier, Continuous Bezier, Auto Bezier, and Hold
    Apply a temporal interpolation method using default values.

  4. If you selected keyframes of a spatial layer property, choose one of the following options for Spatial Interpolation:
    Current Settings
    Preserves the interpolation settings already applied to the selected keyframes.

    Linear, Bezier, Continuous Bezier, and Auto Bezier
    Apply a spatial interpolation method using default values.

  5. If you selected keyframes of a spatial layer property, use the Roving menu to choose how a keyframe determines its position in time, and then click OK:
    Current Settings
    Preserves the currently applied method of positioning the selected keyframes in time.

    Rove Across Time
    Smooths the rate of change through the selected keyframes by automatically varying their position in time, based on the positions of the keyframes immediately before and after the selection.

    Lock To Time
    keeps the selected keyframes at their current position in time. They stay in place unless you move them manually.

    For more information on smoothing the rate of change through selected keyframes, see Smooth motion with roving keyframes.

Change interpolation method with the Selection tool in layer bar mode

 Using the Selection tool, do one of the following:

  • If the keyframe uses Linear interpolation, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the keyframe to change it to Auto Bezier .

  • If the keyframe uses Bezier, Continuous Bezier, or Auto Bezier interpolation, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the keyframe to change it to Linear.

Change interpolation method in the Graph Editor

  • Click the keyframe with the Convert Vertex tool  to toggle between linear and Auto Bezier interpolation.
  • Select one or more keyframes, and then click the Hold, Linear, or Auto Bezier button at the bottom of the screen to change the interpolation method.
    Interpolation buttons in the Graph Editor

    A.
    Hold

    B.
    Linear

    C.
    Auto-Bezier