When creating easing curves, how do you decide how much acceleration and deceleration feels realistic?

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When creating easing curves, how do you decide how much acceleration and deceleration feels realistic?

Asked on Oct 25, 2025

Answer

Choosing the right amount of acceleration and deceleration in easing curves is crucial for creating realistic and believable motion. The key is to match the easing to the physical properties of the object and the context of the scene, ensuring that the motion feels natural and supports the storytelling.

Example Concept: Easing curves control the rate of change in motion, with acceleration (ease-in) and deceleration (ease-out) affecting how quickly an object starts and stops. Realistic easing often mimics natural phenomena, like gravity or inertia, where objects gradually build up speed and come to rest smoothly. The curve's shape should reflect the object's weight and the intended emotional impact, with sharper curves for sudden actions and smoother curves for gentle movements.

Additional Comment:

Consider the object's mass and the forces acting upon it when designing easing curves.
Use reference footage or real-world observations to guide the creation of believable easing.
Experiment with different curve shapes to see which best conveys the desired motion quality.
Test the animation in context to ensure the easing supports the overall scene dynamics.

✅ Answered with Animation best practices.

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