Keyframe
A keyframe is a defining frame that marks a significant point in a video or animation sequence. AI video models use keyframes as anchors, generating the intermediate motion between them.
June 18, 2026
A keyframe is a defining frame in an animation or video sequence that marks the start or end of a transition. AI video models use keyframes as anchor points to generate the motion between them.
How it works
In traditional animation, a keyframe is a frame drawn by a lead animator that defines the key poses of a movement. Junior animators (or inbetweeners) then draw the frames between keyframes. AI video works similarly: you provide keyframes as reference images, and the model generates the in-between frames automatically using interpolation and motion prediction.
Keyframe animation in AI
The most common AI keyframe workflow is image-to-video: you provide a single keyframe (a still image) and a text prompt describing the desired motion. The model predicts where objects should move and generates a sequence of frames that transition from the keyframe into motion.
For more control, you can provide multiple keyframes — a start image and an end image — and the model generates the transition between them. This is useful for morphing effects, camera movements, and narrative sequences.
In eaxy
Eaxy supports both single-keyframe (image-to-video) and prompt-driven video generation. When you animate a still image, eaxy treats it as a keyframe and generates cinematic motion based on your prompt — camera pans, subject movement, environmental effects like wind or water.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What is a keyframe in AI video?+
A keyframe is a significant frame that defines the start or end of a motion sequence. In AI video generation, you provide keyframes (often as images) and the model generates the motion between them.
How many keyframes do I need for AI video?+
For a basic animation, you need at least two keyframes — a start and an end frame. For longer or more complex sequences, additional keyframes at key moments give the model more guidance.
Can I use keyframes with image-to-video?+
Yes. Image-to-video is essentially single-keyframe animation: you provide one keyframe (your image) and the model generates motion from it. For more control, you can provide multiple keyframes.
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