Change in keyframe interpolation didn't reflect on the graph editor

[interesting_Gleam1519]

Beginner here, I was trying to understand keyframe interpolation and how it affects the graph in the graph editor.

I made a simple motion animation, where an airplane moved from one point to another in a straight line. Created two keyframes at t=0 and t=3s, and by default the interpolation between them was linear. On the graph editor the value graph looked like this: x values went from 200 to 1500 in 3s, y values stayed the same (as there was no motion in y).

I selected the two keyframes on the timeline (which were looking like diamonds) and then right clicked -> keyframe interpolation, and changed the temporal interpolation to Bezier. This changed the keyframes to hourglass icons on the timeline. However, when I opened the graph editor the value graph was exactly the same as was for the linear interpolation. I was expecting it would change to the curve that you get when you "ease in" and "ease out".

Sure I'm able to make the graph look like how I want to by going to the graph editor and then clicking on the "easy ease" icon in the editor itself. But I was just hoping if I've understood keyframe interpolation correctly changing the interpolation of the keyframes from linear to Bezier should automatically reflect on the graph editor.

(Screen recording attached, for some reason the recording software didn't record the context menus, where clicked on keyframe interpolation and selected Bezier in the temporal interpolation)

[benw11]

You're on the right track! Just a heads up changing the temporal interpolation to Bezier affects the speed of the animation, not necessarily the value graph unless you're in the speed graph view. If you're in the value graph, you’ll need to manually adjust handles or use Easy Ease to see the curves. Great job exploring this!

[interesting_Gleam1519]

Hi, thanks for the reply 🙂

As you can see towards the end of the video I've attached that even the speed-time curve doesn't change when I change the interpolation from linear to bezier (it still is a straight line).

I'm unable to understand what exactly changing the temporal interpolation from Linear to Bezier is doing. I mean even when the interpolation is linear the speed time curve on the graph editor shows itself as a straight line with Bezier handles at the ends . When I change the interpolation to Bezier it still looks the same.

When I asked ChatGPT, it said changing interpolation from Linear to Bezier only enables the Bezier handles to be used, it doesn't change how the graph looks, unless you do change it. And that made sense until I saw that Bezeir handles are enabled even when the interpolation is Linear. 

[Rick Gerard]

The value graph is almost useless when animating position or anchor point values. You need to use the speed graph and control the position with the Bezier handles in the Comp Panel. Maybe this tutorial I made a long time ago will help: