### Keyframes We set keyframes to **change a layer's property over time (animation)**. The program interpolates property values between keyframes. The spacing between keyframes determines the timing of the change: closer together is faster, further apart is slower. Markers that record a property's value at a specific point in time; with two or more, After Effects interpolates the values in between to create motion. They're the basic unit of animation. You set them with the property's stopwatch. ### Start animating with the Stopwatch To start setting keyframes, select the **Stopwatch** icon next to the property: ![[Pasted image 20260606155511.png]] *The Stopwatch* ### Setting a Keyframe AE is an ***active keyframer***. Once you enable animation with the **Stopwatch**, if you **change the value of a property**, then a **new keyframe will be set** at the **Time Slider**. You can also **set a keyframe** at the **Timeslider** by hitting the **diamond** on the left side of the layer (between the arrows for keyframe navigation). ![[Pasted image 20260606155517.png]] *Colorized Keyframes in the Timeline* ### Snap to Keyframes with Shift While dragging the Timeslider, **hold down the Shift key** to **snap it to keyframes** or to the edges of a layer. ### Keyframe Interpolation Keyframes are interpolated according to their type. ![[Pasted image 20260606155525.png]] ***Linear**, **Bezier**, **Continuous Bezier**, **Auto Bezier***, and ***Hold*** ### Edit a Keyframe **Right-click** on a keyframe in the Timeline to select: ![[Pasted image 20260606155534.png]] #### Edit Value... ![[Pasted image 20260606155900.png]] This allows you to edit the value of a keyframe by text entry or a slider. #### Toggle Hold Keyframe ![[Pasted image 20260606155830.png]] The value will stay the same until the next keyframe when you have a **Hold Out**. Toggle Hold again to switch back to a **Continuous** keyframe. #### Keyframe Interpolation... Right-click on a keyframe and select **Keyframe Interpolation...** to open the dialogue panel and change **temporal (time) interpolation**: ![[Pasted image 20260606155840.png]] Keyframe Interpolation Types are **Linear**, **Bezier**, **Continuous Bezier**, **Auto Bezier**, and **Hold** #### Keyframe Velocity... Change **Keyframe Velocity...** (how fast animation plays **in** or **out** of the keyframe) ![[Pasted image 20260606155845.png]] There are many more ways to edit keyframes in the Graph Editor. --- see: [https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/setting-selecting-deleting-keyframes.html Links to an external site.](https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/setting-selecting-deleting-keyframes.html)