Summary  
This chapter covers implementing timing and easing functions—such as linear, ease‐in, ease‐out, and ease‐in‐out curves—to map normalized time values to accelerated or decelerated motion for smooth animations.

General domain of usage  
user interface animations

Animation is not just about moving objects from one point to another; it's about how those objects move over time. This is where **timing** and **easing** come into play. **Timing** refers to the speed and rhythm of an animation, while **easing** describes how the speed of an animation changes throughout its duration. By carefully controlling timing and easing, you can make motion more natural and engaging, mimicking the way objects accelerate and decelerate in the real world.

To see the difference that timing and easing make, consider animating an object's position from left to right. With a **linear timing function**, the object moves at a constant speed, covering equal distances in equal intervals. In contrast, an **ease-in-out timing function** starts the motion slowly, accelerates in the middle, and then slows down toward the end. This creates a more lifelike and visually pleasing effect, as objects in nature rarely start and stop abruptly.

The choice of **easing curve** has a significant impact on the feel of your animation. **Linear curves** produce mechanical, robotic movements. **Ease-in curves** make objects start slowly and gain speed, which can suggest anticipation or weight. **Ease-out curves** slow down at the end, creating a sense of settling or landing. **Ease-in-out curves** combine both effects, resulting in smooth, organic motions that feel more believable and dynamic. Selecting the right **easing function** helps convey emotion, energy, and intent in your motion design.

# Simple ease-in-out function for animating position
def ease_in_out(t):
    # t should be a value between 0 (start) and 1 (end)
    return t * t * (3 - 2 * t)

# Example: animate position from 0 to 100 over 10 steps
positions = []
for i in range(11):
    t = i / 10  # Normalized time from 0 to 1
    eased_t = ease_in_out(t)
    position = 0 + (100 - 0) * eased_t
    positions.append(position)

print(positions)

What is the purpose of easing functions in animation?

Which type of motion does an ease-in-out function create?

Discover how programming can empower motion designers to automate, enhance, and innovate their creative workflows. This course introduces Python programming concepts and demonstrates their practical applications in motion design, from automating repetitive tasks to generating dynamic visuals and analyzing animation data.

Explore the essentials of Python programming and how they relate to motion design, focusing on foundational concepts and their creative applications.

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Timing and Easing Functions

1. What is the purpose of easing functions in animation?

2. Which type of motion does an ease-in-out function create?

3. Fill in the blank to complete the ease-in-out function definition for smooth animation timing.