Rigging & animation · Intermediate

Graph editor

An animation editor that draws each animated value as a curve you can reshape

What is the graph editor?

The graph editor is an animation editor that draws each animated value as a curve over time, with keyframes as points on it. The curve’s shape shows how fast a value changes between keys. In Blender these curves are called F-curves, and you bend them with handles so motion eases in, eases out or snaps.

Think of it like this

It is like a speed chart for a car trip: the slope shows where the car sped up, cruised or braked, and reshaping the line changes the drive.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Animate: Making things move over time.

TimeKeyframeSoftware fills the in-between
Keyframes set the key values; interpolation draws the motion between them.

How the graph editor works

  1. 01Select an animated object; its curves appear, one per property, such as X location.
  2. 02Flat parts of a curve mean no change; steep parts mean fast change.
  3. 03Drag a key’s handles to reshape the curve between it and its neighbors.
  4. 04Press T to change interpolation, such as Bezier, Linear or Constant.

Where the graph editor is used

  • Smoothing motion so it eases in and out naturally
  • Fixing jitter, overshoot and unwanted bumps in an animation
  • Making a motion repeat with a Cycles modifier

Beginner tip

Press Home with the mouse over the graph editor to fit every curve in view, then click one channel name on the left to see only that curve. One curve at a time is far easier to read.

Terms related to the graph editor

Graph editor FAQ

What is an F-curve?
An F-curve, short for function curve, is the line the graph editor draws for one animated property, such as Z rotation. Its keyframes are points along it, and the curve between them is the value Blender works out for every frame.
How do I make animation smooth in Blender?
Keep Bezier interpolation, the default, and shape the handles so curves have no sharp corners. The default Auto Clamped handles stop curves from overshooting. Select keys and press V to change the handle type.
How do I make linear interpolation in Blender?
Select the keys in the graph editor or dope sheet, press T and choose Linear. The value then changes at a steady rate, which suits mechanical motion like a spinning fan. Preferences > Animation sets the default for new keys.
How do I make an animation loop in Blender?
Make the first and last keys match, then add a Cycles modifier to the curve from the Modifiers tab in the graph editor’s sidebar. The curve then repeats before and after its keys. Channel > Extrapolation Mode > Make Cyclic does the same in one step.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms