In Adobe Animate, controlling the speed of your animation, including slowing it down, is commonly achieved through a technique known as easing. Specifically, slowing down the beginning of an animation is called "ease in," and slowing down the end of an animation is called "ease out."
Understanding Easing in Adobe Animate
Based on the provided reference, "ease in and ease out" is the term used in Adobe Animate for adjusting the rate of change between keyframes. When you apply easing, you are manipulating how quickly or slowly an object transitions from one state (position, scale, rotation, color, etc.) to another over a period of time.
The reference mentions clicking on "ease in and out" and seeing "the beginning of the graph." This refers to the ability to visualize and precisely control the speed curve of your animation using the Graph Editor.
How Ease In and Ease Out Affect Animation Speed
- Ease In: Applying an "ease in" effect causes the animation to start slowly and then gradually speed up towards the end of the transition. This is useful for simulating objects that start from a rest position and accelerate.
- Ease Out: Applying an "ease out" effect causes the animation to start quickly and then gradually slow down towards the end of the transition. This simulates objects that are coming to a stop.
- Ease In and Out: Applying both "ease in and out" causes the animation to start slowly, speed up in the middle, and then slow down again towards the end.
To slow down a specific part of your animation using easing:
- To slow down the start: Apply an Ease In to the transition.
- To slow down the end: Apply an Ease Out to the transition.
By manipulating the easing curves in the Graph Editor, you can create very precise and custom speed changes, making your animations feel more natural and dynamic.
Applying Easing to Slow Down Motion
While the reference points out what it's called, the process generally involves:
- Creating a tween (like a Classic Tween or Shape Tween) between two keyframes.
- Selecting the tween span on the timeline.
- Accessing the properties panel or a dedicated easing panel.
- Choosing a preset ease (like Ease In, Ease Out) or customizing the ease using the Graph Editor. The Graph Editor allows you to drag handles on a curve to visually represent and adjust the speed over time. A flatter curve section indicates slower movement, while a steeper section indicates faster movement.
By applying and adjusting these ease settings, you gain fine control over the timing and flow of your animation, enabling you to effectively slow down motion at desired points.
