How to set keyframes in AE
In After Effects (AE), keyframes are the core element of animation production. Mastering the setting skills of keyframes allows you to easily create smooth animation effects. This article will introduce in detail the setting method of keyframes in AE, and provide you with a practical operation guide based on hot topics and hot content in the past 10 days.
1. Basic concepts of key frames

Keyframes are frames in animation that define attribute changes. By marking keyframes on the timeline, AE will automatically calculate changes in intermediate frames to generate smooth animation effects. Here are the basic steps for keyframing:
| Operation steps | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Select layer | Select the layer to which you want to add keyframes in the Timeline panel. |
| 2. Expand properties | Click the small triangle on the left side of the layer to expand the layer's property list. |
| 3. Add keyframes | Click the stopwatch icon to the left of the attribute to activate the keyframe function, then move the playhead on the timeline, adjust the attribute value and add keyframes. |
| 4. Adjust keyframes | Adjust animation effects by dragging keyframes or modifying property values. |
2. Types of key frames
Keyframes in AE are divided into many types, and different types of keyframes can create different animation effects. The following are some common keyframe types:
| Keyframe type | Description |
|---|---|
| linear keyframe | The default type, the animation changes speed evenly. |
| Bezier keyframes | You can control the acceleration and deceleration effects of animation by adjusting the handle. |
| Freeze keyframe | The animation changes suddenly between keyframes with no transition effect. |
3. Advanced techniques of key frames
In addition to basic keyframe settings, AE also provides some advanced techniques to help you create more complex animation effects.
| Skills | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Use the chart editor | The Graph Editor provides more precise control over the speed and easing of keyframes. |
| 2. Copy and paste keyframes | Keyframes can be copied to other properties or layers, saving time. |
| 3. Expression keyframes | Keyframes can be automatically generated through expressions to achieve complex animation effects. |
4. Combination of hot topics in the past 10 days and AE key frames
In the past 10 days, many hot topics related to AE animation have appeared on social media and video platforms. The following are some hot topics:
| hot topics | Association with keyframes |
|---|---|
| 1. TikTok special effects animation | Use keyframes to quickly create TikTok’s popular transitions and special effects animations. |
| 2. Movie trailer editing | Keyframes are the core technology for creating dynamic text and camera transitions in movie trailers. |
| 3. Dynamic Logo Design | Keyframes can be used to add vivid animation effects to brand logos. |
5. Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions and answers about AE keyframes:
| question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. How to delete keyframes? | Select the keyframe and press the Delete key, or right-click the keyframe and select "Delete". |
| 2. How to adjust the easing effect of keyframes? | Right-click on the keyframe and select the "Ease" option in "Keyframe Assist". |
| 3. How to adjust keyframes in batches? | Hold down the Shift key to select multiple keyframes, and then adjust the attribute values uniformly. |
Summary
AE's keyframe function is an indispensable tool in animation production. By mastering basic operations and advanced techniques, you can easily create stunning animation effects. Combined with recent hot topics, key frames have a wider range of application scenarios, whether it is short video special effects or movie editing, they can play an important role. I hope this article can help you better understand and use the keyframe function of AE.
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