Animating with the Channel Editor > Animation > Creating Animations >

# Setting Extrapolation

Extrapolation defines the shape of an animation curve before the first keyframe and after the last keyframe of the curve. The following table describes the extrapolation modes and illustrates the resulting curves. You can set the default extrapolation mode used when creating animations in the Preferences menu. The default extrapolation is initially set to Constant.

Extrapolation Mode | Resulting Curve
--- | ---
Constant—Applies the channel value in the first keyframe to all frames before the first keyframe. The value of the last keyframe is applied to all frames after the last keyframe. |
Linear—Continues the curve in a linear fashion before the first keyframe and after the last keyframe. |
Cycle—Creates cycles in the curve. The period of each cycle is determined by the first and last keyframe. |
Reverse and Cycle—Repeats, reverses, then cycles the curve. |

To change the extrapolation:

1. Click the channel's animation curve to select it. Or click the channel's name.
2. From the Extrapolation box, select an extrapolation mode.

   The extrapolation is applied to the selected curve.