Animating with the Channel Editor > Animation > Editing Keyframes >
Breaking Keyframe Tangent Handles

Use Break mode in the Edit Mode box to split a keyframe's tangent handles into two independent tangent handles (Bézier curves), or split a keyframe's tangent handle into two (Hermite and Natural curves).

Breaking tangent handles creates a discontinuity in an animation curve, enabling you to move each tangent handle separately and have more control over the slope of the animation curve.

The following example shows a Hermite keyframe before and after using Break mode.

(a) The original keyframe.

(a) Break was used to split the keyframe's tangent handle. The two tangent handles were then moved. Notice the slope has changed on either side of the keyframe.

NoteOnly animation curves that use Bézier, Hermite, or Natural interpolation have keyframes with tangent handles. See Setting Interpolation.

Using Break mode is also convenient for tweaking the timing of a motion path. See Working with Motion Path Tangent Handles.

To break a tangent handle into two:

1. Access the Animation Curve window.
2. From the Edit Mode box, select Break.
3. Click the keyframe you want to split.

   The two tangent handles become independent from one another (Bézier), or two tangent handles appear for the keyframe (Natural or Hermite). Each tangent handle controls the shape of the curve on its respective side. Click the keyframe again to recombine the handles into a single tangent.

   NoteIf two channels overlap, you may have to select the channel first before using Break.
4. From the Edit Mode box, select Move mode and move one or both tangent handles.

   As you move the handles, the slope on each side of the keyframe is modified independently.