To smooth animation in Clip Studio Paint, you can specifically smooth the movement between keyframes using the smooth interpolation setting.
Understanding Keyframe Interpolation
In animation software like Clip Studio Paint, keyframes mark specific points in time where a property (like position, scale, or opacity) has a defined value. Interpolation is how the software calculates the values of that property between those keyframes. Different interpolation types create different kinds of movement:
- Linear: Creates a constant speed between keyframes.
- Hold: Holds the value of the first keyframe until the next one is reached, resulting in abrupt changes.
- Smooth: Creates an eased-in and eased-out effect, starting and ending slowly and picking up speed in the middle. This is crucial for creating natural-looking, smooth transitions.
Steps to Apply Smooth Interpolation
The most direct way to smooth the transition between specific keyframes is by setting the interpolation type for a keyframe to 'Smooth'. Here's how you do it:
- Open your animation file and ensure the [Timeline] palette is visible.
- Locate the specific animation folder and track containing the keyframe you want to smooth the transition from.
- Select the keyframe in the [Timeline] palette that marks the beginning of the transition you want to smooth.
- Go to the main application menu and click [Animation].
- From the dropdown menu, select [Edit Track].
- From the subsequent submenu, click [Switch keyframe to smooth interpolation].
Reference Step: Select the keyframe in the [Timeline] palette and click the [Animation] menu [Edit Track] [Switch keyframe to smooth interpolation].
Once this is applied, the movement from the selected keyframe to the next keyframe on that track will be calculated using smooth interpolation, creating a gentle ease-out from the first keyframe and an ease-in towards the next (depending on the settings of the following keyframe as well).
Why Use Smooth Interpolation?
Using smooth interpolation is essential for creating animations that feel organic and natural. It helps objects or characters:
- Start and stop moving gradually.
- Avoid sudden, jerky changes in speed.
- Mimic real-world physics where objects rarely start or stop instantaneously.
By controlling the interpolation of your keyframes, particularly using the 'Smooth' option, you gain fine control over the pacing and flow of your animation transitions.
