Top 5 Easing Styles for Professional Map Animations

In the Mapimator Studio, we use a concept called Easing to decide how your camera transitions from point A to point B. It’s what makes a map movement feel either "robotic" or "cinematic." Here are the Top 5 styles used by pro creators.

1. Smooth (The Gold Standard)

Physics: Slow start, fast middle, slow end. Best for: Pro real estate tours and cinematic vlogs. It mimics how a drone or a real helicopter moves through space.

2. Linear (The Investigative Look)

Physics: Constant speed throughout. Best for: Geopolitical explainers and historical documentaries. It feels objective and data-driven, like an investigative report.

3. Late Brake (The Landing)

Physics: Fast start, sharply slowing down as it reaches the destination. Best for: Introductions. It creates a feeling of "arrival" where you rush toward a destination and hover just as you get there.

4. Elastic (The Gaming Energy)

Physics: Overshoots the destination slightly then bounces back. Best for: Minecraft server wars and punchy social media reels. It adds a "game-like" energy to the map.

5. Ease-In (The Departure)

Physics: Slow start that accelerates until the end. Best for: Transitioning out of a map and into your real-world camera footage.

Pro-Tip: Duration is Key

No matter which easing you choose, the duration must match the distance. A transatlantic flight needs at least 10 seconds of "Smooth" easing, while a jump between two houses can be done in 2 seconds.

To see these easing styles in action without any lag, always professional rendering engine before exporting your final high-def footage.