What is the shortcut to toggle a hold keyframe?

In After Effects, Ctrl+Alt+H on Windows and Cmd+Opt+H on macOS. In Premation, use Animation ▸ Keyframe Interpolation ▸ Hold; Ctrl/Cmd + Alt + H opens the Performance HUD there, and any shortcut can be rebound in Window → Customize → Shortcuts.

What does a hold keyframe do?

It stops interpolation after that keyframe, so the value stays exactly where it is until the next keyframe and then jumps to the new value.

How do I turn a hold keyframe back into a normal one?

Set its interpolation to Linear or an ease. In Premation that is Animation ▸ Keyframe Interpolation ▸ Linear, or F9 for Easy Ease.

Glossary

Hold keyframe

Name: Premation
Author: Premation

A keyframe with no interpolation after it: the value stays fixed until the next keyframe, then jumps. Used for cuts, blinks and stepped motion.

Also called Toggle Hold Keyframe, Hold interpolation, Stepped keyframe.

In After Effects

In After Effects it is Animation ▸ Toggle Hold Keyframe (Ctrl+Alt+H on Windows, Cmd+Opt+H on macOS), also under Keyframe Interpolation in the keyframe's right-click menu. A hold keyframe draws with a squared-off icon in the Timeline.

In Premation

Right-click a keyframe and set its Interpolation to Hold, or Animation ▸ Keyframe Interpolation ▸ Hold. Hold keyframes draw as amber squares in the timeline, bezier ones as blue diamonds.

Step by step

Reveal the property's keyframes in the timeline; U shows only the animated properties.
Select the keyframes that should hold.
Choose Animation ▸ Keyframe Interpolation ▸ Hold, or right-click a keyframe and set its interpolation to Hold.
Check the timeline: hold keyframes draw as amber squares, Bezier ones as blue diamonds.
To return to motion, choose Animation ▸ Keyframe Interpolation ▸ Linear, or press F9 for an easy ease.

Tips

Hold is set per keyframe: it affects the segment after that key, so the value jumps when the next key arrives.
Use holds for blinks, hard cuts on a property, frame-by-frame swaps and stepped 'on twos' motion.
For a stepped look on a smooth animation, set every keyframe to Hold and space them evenly, such as every two frames.

Read the docs: Keyframes

Questions

What is the shortcut to toggle a hold keyframe?: In After Effects, Ctrl+Alt+H on Windows and Cmd+Opt+H on macOS. In Premation, use Animation ▸ Keyframe Interpolation ▸ Hold; Ctrl/Cmd + Alt + H opens the Performance HUD there, and any shortcut can be rebound in Window → Customize → Shortcuts.
What does a hold keyframe do?: It stops interpolation after that keyframe, so the value stays exactly where it is until the next keyframe and then jumps to the new value.
How do I turn a hold keyframe back into a normal one?: Set its interpolation to Linear or an ease. In Premation that is Animation ▸ Keyframe Interpolation ▸ Linear, or F9 for Easy Ease.

Related terms

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