Tangent Type

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The Tangent Type menu allows you to select the type of interpolation that wil be used to fill in the values between a given keyframe and the keyframe that follows it. The Keyframe Animator allows you to choose from the following interpolation types:

Constant
The value remains fixed until the next keyframe. No interpolation is performed. This type is useful for things that don't change, such as a blinking neon sign.
Linear
The value changes linearly from the current value to the next keyframe value. This type is useful for light rays bouncing off mirrors at equal angles. For shape animations only, the default interpolation type is Linear.
Hermite
The value passes through the key, but it follows a curve whose tangents are determined by the keys on either end of the segment, and the next one to either side. This type gives a continuous velocity curve. As an example, suppose you have four keys (A, B, C, and D). To find a value on the curve between B and C, the tangent at B is computed as the slope from A to C. The tangent at C is computed as the slope from B to D. And the value of the curve is a spline function of those two tangents and the values at B and C.
Split
This type is similar to Hermite, but it allows the tangent to be discontinuous at this point. For example, if B and C are Split, the tangent at B will be the slope from A to B, not A to C. And the tangent at C will be the slope from C to D, not from B to D.
Mixed
The selected keyframes are of different tangent types.

When you have a keyframe selected, the tangent type button shows its tangent type. If more than one keyframe is selected and the keyframes have different types, the button shows "Mixed."

You can select a keyframe and change its interpolation type by changing the tangent type button to the new type. If there are no keyframes selected, the button label changes to "Default Tangent Type." The value selected will be used for any keyframes that are created or changed.

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