Keyframe Stretcher Node

Keyframe Stretcher automatically adjusts the keyframes of upstream nodes based on the total duration of the comp. It gives you a clean animation whatever the length of the clip it is applied to.

Typical case: a 5-second animated title (intro + outro) that must work just as well on a 3-second clip as on a 10-second one. Without Keyframe Stretcher, the title would stay at 5s and would not adapt. With it, it adapts perfectly.

• Effects Library: Tools > Miscellaneous > Keyframe Stretcher
• Quick add: right-click in the Node Editor → Add Tool > Miscellaneous > Keyframe Stretcher

• Input (orange) - an animated 2D image. It can be an animated node directly or a Merge holding animated foreground / background elements.

Reusable title template:
[5s animated title: 1s intro, 3s hold, 1s outro]
   ↓
Keyframe Stretcher (Source 0-120, Stretch 24-96)
   = fixed intro/outro (1s each), stretched hold
   ↓
MediaOut

When used on a 10s clip: 1s intro + 8s hold + 1s outro
When used on a 3s clip: 1s intro + 1s hold + 1s outro

Adaptable lower third animation:
60-frame animation → Keyframe Stretcher
                   → MediaOut
   = adapts to any Edit page duration

Stretching the edges instead of the middle:
[continuous linear animation]
   → Keyframe Stretcher (Stretch Edges = On)
   = stretches the edges rather than the center

The Keyframes tab holds the main controls:

Source Start (frame)

Marks the start of the source animation range.

Source End (frame)

End of the source animation range. Usually matches the total duration of the animated spline.

Stretch Start

Sets where the stretched area starts (start of the fixed middle).

Stretch End

Sets where the stretched area ends.

Stretch Edges Instead (checkbox)

Reverses the behavior: stretches the edges instead of the middle. Useful to keep the middle constant.

• Edit page title templates - an animated title that works automatically on any Edit clip length.
• Adaptable lower thirds - a lower third animation that keeps its intro / outro and stretches the hold to match the clip length.
• Animation library - a library of animations reusable on variable durations without re-editing the keyframes.
• Proportional keyframes - keep the proportional spacing of keyframes when the comp duration changes.
• Pipeline templates - a template comp with Keyframe Stretcher = automatic adaptation to the different duration of each shot.

• Place it just before the MediaOut/Saver - Keyframe Stretcher affects all the animated nodes upstream. Put it downstream to cover the whole chain.
• Stretch Start/End = the stretched area - keyframes outside this area stay at a fixed distance from the timeline ends = intro/outro preserved.
• Source Start/End = the full animation - covers the whole animation spline to stretch.
• Stretch Edges Instead for the reverse case - when you want a fixed center and stretched edges (rare, but possible).
• Test on different durations - check the behavior on 3s, 5s and 10s clips to validate the adaptation.
• Works with the Edit / Cut page - for Title Templates: durations are set at the Edit clip level, and Keyframe Stretcher adapts automatically.
• For complex animations (multiple elements, interdependent timing), test carefully because the stretch can desync elements that were originally coordinated.