Motion

Overview

The go-to animation node. Pick how it moves (ping-pong, rotate, bounce, ...), how much (px / degrees), and how many frames per cycle — one node produces a full animation signal. It replaces the old time_source → waveform → remap → ease_in_out chain: connect the output to a promoted parameter pin and that parameter animates.

Usage tips

• The standard wiring is motion → a promoted parameter pin on the node you want to animate. Example: to make an image bob up and down, promote y on a transform, connect motion(mode=Float, amount=4), then finish with animation_render.
• Amount is specified directly in px or degrees — enter the visible amount you want on the final spritesheet ("6px swing", "360° per turn").
• Period (frames) = 0 means one cycle over the whole animation. For two cycles in an 8-frame sheet, set period = 4.
• Base is the resting position (center of motion). To wobble around y=32, set base=32 and amount=6.
• Give copies of the same motion different Shift (frames) values for staggered animation (grass swaying in sequence, follow-through on character parts).
• Loop endpoints are handled automatically: cyclic motions stop the last frame just before wrapping, so looping playback never shows a duplicated pose.
• time_source is not needed (the node follows animation time when input is unconnected). Only feed input for advanced uses such as phase modulation.

Common pitfalls

• "Per Frame" does not loop: 2px every frame keeps accumulating, so the sheet will not loop by itself. Outside of scrolling-background style assets, prefer looping motions such as ping-pong or rotate.
• Nothing moves: the target parameter must be promoted to a pin before you can connect. Use the promote button on the parameter row in the Inspector.
• Easing has no effect on Blink / Random: easing applies to Move / Ping-Pong only; Bounce ships its own built-in curve.

Related nodes

• remap — convert the output range to another range when needed
• ease_in_out — general-purpose easing for any Float signal
• animation_render — bakes the animated image into a spritesheet
• keyframe_clip — use keyframes for acting that is hard to express as a rule
• time_source — advanced access to raw frame numbers and totals