# Blender Animation

Animation in Blender 5.2 - slotted/layered actions and the channelbag API, Python...

- Repository: https://github.com/EL4CTEO/blender-skills (651 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-30
- Runs scripts: yes, review before use

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add EL4CTEO/blender-skills --skill blender-animation -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add EL4CTEO/blender-skills --skill blender-animation -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add EL4CTEO/blender-skills --skill blender-animation -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add EL4CTEO/blender-skills --skill blender-animation -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add EL4CTEO/blender-skills`

## Description

Animation in Blender 5.2 - slotted/layered actions and the channelbag API, Python keyframing, F-curves, game loops with pop/hitch checks, NLA clips, pose library, mocap/BVH/Mixamo retargeting with auto bone maps, baking control rigs to export skeletons, root motion, per-clip export. Use for any keyframe, action, NLA, mocap, or animation-export task.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Animation

The execution model is in `blender-core` (its `references/bpy-patterns.md` has verified keyframe/driver snippets). Rigs are in `blender-character-rigging`.

## 5.x data model (what changed)
- An **Action** holds **slots** (one per animated ID) and **layers → strips → channelbags → F-curves**. A single action can animate several objects (e.g. a rig and its camera) through different slots.
- Assign: `ob.animation_data.action = act`, then make sure `ob.animation_data.action_slot` is set (picked automatically when a suitable slot exists; otherwise `act.slots.new(id_type="OBJECT", name=ob.name)`).
- F-curves: `cb = anim_utils.action_ensure_channelbag_for_slot(act, slot)`, then `cb.fcurves.ensure(path, index=i, group_name=...)`. `action.fcurves` **no longer exists**.
- The simplest route is still `pb.keyframe_insert("rotation_quaternion", frame=f)`, which creates the action, slot and channelbag.

## Workflow (keyframe animation, studio style)
1. **Blocking**: key poses on every channel (`CONSTANT` interpolation, `bpy.context.preferences.edit.keyframe_new_interpolation_type`) on golden frames (contact, down, passing, up for walks).
2. **Breakdowns**: add in-betweens that define arcs and spacing.
3. **Spline**: switch to `BEZIER`, fix spacing in the Graph Editor, and clean overshoot. Auto-clamped handles avoid overshoot.
4. **Polish**: offsets/overlap (follow-through on hair, tails, cloth bones), arcs, moving holds (never a perfectly frozen character), and contact stability (feet locked with IK).
5. **Review**: MCP `look(mode="frames", frame_count=8)` or a Workbench playblast (`blender-rendering`).

The rest: https://github.com/EL4CTEO/blender-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/blender-animation/SKILL.md