Choose a supported parameter
Keyframes record a value at a time inside a clip. The editor interpolates between those values. Use them for a slow picture push-in, a title fade, or an audio level change.
Supported parameters depend on clip type. They include picture scale, rotation, position, opacity; basic color and effects values; title font size and position; and audio gain. The current interface filters retired 3D title parameters out of the available animation tools.
Mac: select a clip and open Animation Editor (⌥⌘A), or the inspector’s animation controls. iPhone/iPad: select the clip and open Tools → Animation, then choose Parameter.
Create the first change
- Put the Sequence playhead inside the selected clip.
- Choose the parameter, such as Opacity.
- Enable animation. On iOS, tap Enable Animation.
- Set the value at the beginning of the desired change.
- Move the playhead to the next desired moment and add a keyframe.
- Set the new value and play across the interval.
For a fade, use a supported opacity value near zero at the beginning and full opacity later. Keep the last key within the visible clip interval. A key outside the sequence cannot be reached through normal playback until its timing or the clip extent is adjusted.
Check what an inspector edit will affect
The Edit animation at playhead setting controls scope. When enabled, an animated value changes at the playhead. With it off, the shared editor adjusts the whole curve rather than creating a single local change. Check this state before changing an already animated clip.
On Mac, the diamond is a toggle: at an occupied key time it can remove that key. On iOS, Add Keyframe at Playhead preserves an existing key at that time; repeated Add does not create duplicates or remove it. Use the explicit delete controls when you want to remove iOS keys.
Refine the movement
On iOS, the keyframe list shows clip-relative seconds and value. Tap a key to edit its timing, value, and interpolation. Go to Keyframe positions the sequence playhead. Select All, Copy Keys, Paste at Playhead, and Delete Selected Keys manage a group. Curve Graph opens the wider graph arrangement.
Interpolation includes Hold, Linear, cubic editable tangents, and easing options. Hold keeps a value until the next key; Linear changes at a constant rate; easing changes the rate near a boundary. Start with Linear before choosing a more expressive curve.
Animation times belong to the clip’s animation clock and are mapped into the sequence. After retiming, trimming, or moving a clip, review the actual motion and key positions. Do not read a clip-relative seconds value as an absolute sequence time.
Review and recover
Copy and paste keys only to a clip that supports their parameter. A paste can be refused when it would conflict with existing keys or the destination. Read the message before replacing keys. Undo a mistaken committed animation change with the timeline focused, and keep a named version before a complex animation pass.