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Control change using Bezier keyframe interpolation



Bezier handles are two‑directional controls that change the curve of the line segment between the handle and the next point on either side. The farther you pull a handle from its keyframe (center point), the more the line bends or curves. The curve that you create by dragging the Bezier handle determines how smoothly the effect changes occur as the animation property approaches and leaves a keyframe. These handles offer you more control over animation changes than simply choosing a keyframe interpolation method. You can manipulate Bezier handles in either a Timeline panel, the Effect Controls panel, or the Program Monitor.

Create Bezier keyframes

  1. In a Timeline panel, select the clip containing the keyframes you want to adjust, and then do one of the following:

    • (Timeline panel) Choose the property you want to adjust from the effect pop‑up menu next to the clip or track name. You adjust the temporal interpolation of a property in a Timeline panel. Select the clip in the Program Monitor if you want to change the spatial interpolation there.

    • (Effect Controls panel) Select an effect property’s keyframe markers for the keyframes you want to adjust.

  2. Do one of the following to choose a keyframe interpolation method:

    • (Timeline panel) Right‑click the keyframe you want to adjust, and choose a keyframe interpolation method from the menu.

    • (Effect Controls panel) Right‑click the keyframe marker for the keyframe you want to adjust, and choose a keyframe interpolation method from the menu.

  3. To manually change a keyframe from one type to another, do one of the following:

    • If the keyframe uses Linear interpolation, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the keyframe in a Timeline panel or Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the keyframe marker in the Effect Controls panel to change it to Auto Bezier. If you drag the handles, the keyframe changes to Continuous Bezier.

    • If the keyframe uses Auto Bezier interpolation, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the keyframe and drag out a direction handle to change it to Bezier. Bezier interpolation lets you control each direction handle independently. To convert it to Continuous Bezier, just drag a handle.

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

Adjust Bezier handles

  1. Display the Bezier keyframe you want to adjust.
  2. Select either the Selection tool or the Pen tool , and do one of the following:

    • To adjust the slope of the curve, drag the Bezier handle up or down. Moving the handle up accelerates the changes and moving the handle down decelerates the changes.

    • To adjust the range of the curve’s influence, drag the Bezier handle to the left or right.