Overview
Animation in Blender is the process of bringing static 3D models to life by giving them motion. From moving basic objects to making characters walk or operating complex machinery, the possibilities are endless. At the heart of Blender's animation system lies the concept of "keyframes" and the "Graph Editor" for precisely controlling motion.
This article is designed for beginners to intermediate users who want to take the next step beyond static modeling and give their objects motion. We'll cover the basics of setting keyframes and how to use the Graph Editor to dramatically improve the quality of your animations.
The Heart of Animation: Keyframes
Animation works on the same principle as a flipbook. By displaying a series of slightly changing still images (frames) in rapid succession, we create the illusion of movement. In Blender, you record the state of an object (position, rotation, scale, etc.) at specific frames. This recorded information is called a keyframe.
For example, to move an object from left to right, you would set keyframes like this:
- Frame 1: Position the object on the left side and record its position as a keyframe.
- Frame 100: Position the object on the right side and record its position as a keyframe.
That's all it takes. Blender automatically "interpolates" the motion between frames 1 and 100, generating a smooth moving animation.
How to Set Keyframes
The easiest way to set a keyframe is using the I shortcut key.
- Move to the frame where you want to set the keyframe in the Timeline.
- Set the object to the desired state (position, rotation, scale) in the 3D Viewport.
- With the object selected, press
Iand choose the property you want to record from the menu (e.g., "Location," "Rotation," "Scale").
When a keyframe is set, the Timeline and the property's color change to yellow.
Bringing Motion to Life: The Graph Editor
Setting keyframes alone creates basic animation, but the motion tends to be mechanical—essentially "uniform linear motion." Real-world motion has acceleration and deceleration. The Graph Editor is a powerful tool for creating natural, lively motion.
Switch to the "Animation" workspace to access the Graph Editor. It visualizes how object properties change over time as a graph.
- Horizontal axis: Time (frames)
- Vertical axis: Property value (e.g., X position)
Changing Interpolation Modes
You can change how motion is interpolated between keyframes in the Graph Editor. Select a keyframe and press T to display the interpolation mode menu.
| Interpolation Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Linear | Changes at a constant speed. Suitable for mechanical motion. |
| Bezier | The most flexible mode. Adjust handles to freely control motion easing. |
| Constant | Maintains the value until the next keyframe, then changes instantly. Used for object appearance/disappearance. |
Controlling Easing with Bezier Handles
When using Bezier interpolation, handles appear from the keyframe points. Adjusting the angle and length of these handles changes the curve shape, allowing intuitive control over motion speed.
- Horizontal handles: The curve becomes flat, making the velocity zero at that point. Creates "ease-in/ease-out" effects where motion starts and stops slowly.
- Near-vertical handles: The curve becomes steep, creating rapid velocity changes at that point.
For example, in a bouncing ball animation, you would make the curve steep just before ground impact (acceleration) and horizontal at the peak (momentary pause) to achieve realistic motion.
Summary
Blender's animation creation is supported by two powerful tools: keyframes and the Graph Editor. Mastering these basics is the first step to creating compelling animations.
- Keyframes: Points that record "important moments" in animation. Easily set with the
Ikey. - Auto-interpolation: Blender smoothly connects keyframes automatically.
- Graph Editor: Where you control the "quality" of motion. The curve shape represents motion speed.
- Bezier curves: Handle manipulation adds natural "anticipation" and "follow-through" to motion.
Start by animating a simple cube and experiment with changing curves in the Graph Editor. Understanding how curve shapes affect object motion through hands-on experience is the shortcut to mastering animation.