Studio 21.1.1
Module 09 · Fusion
LESSON 09.03 · 40 MIN PRACTICE

Text+ animation and the Spline editor

Fusion animation becomes manageable when timing and shape are considered separately. Keyframes establish important moments; curves determine how values travel between those moments.

What you’ll be able to do

Control animation timing and easing without unnecessary keyframes.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Fusion Spline editor showing animated parameter curves
Fusion Spline editor showing animated parameter curves Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 1536. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Work through it

  1. Create a Text+ title with a short phrase. Establish a readable final layout before animating it. Keep the message meaningful without motion.
  2. Set a starting keyframe and an ending keyframe for one property such as position or opacity. Preview at normal speed to choose the duration.
  3. Open the Spline editor, select the animated property, and compare linear interpolation with a eased curve. Adjust handles to control acceleration without accidental overshoot.
  4. Duplicate or offset related elements to create a deliberate sequence. Keep the total reading time long enough after all elements settle.

A mistake to avoid

A smooth curve does not guarantee good timing. If the audience is still decoding the text when it leaves, simplify the animation or hold longer.

Your turn

Animate a title and subtitle with a short offset. Deliver a five-second composition that includes at least two seconds of stable reading time.

QUICK KNOWLEDGE CHECK

What does the Spline editor help you refine?

Your notes

Write down what worked, what surprised you, and what to try next. Saved on this device.

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Original practical lesson · Open the in-house resource shelf for practice files and definitions. Completion records your self-assessment, not certification.