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Understanding keyframes


    After Effects uses keyframes to create and control animation. (After Effects can also use expressions to create and control animation. See Using expressions.) A keyframe marks the point in time in a composition where you specify a value for a layer property. Animation using keyframes requires at least two keyframes. After Effects creates animation between keyframes by interpolating transition frames between each keyframe using intermediate values based on the changing property values from one keyframe to the next. A keyframe contains information on the type and speed of change between the adjacent intermediate values.

    Two Position keyframes and the interpolated frames in between create a motion path.
    Two Position keyframes and the interpolated frames in between create a motion path.

    You can modify layer properties with or without setting keyframes. If you do not set keyframes, or if you set only one keyframe, changes you make to the property value remain in effect for the duration of the layer.

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