# Animating overlays

Animation is important for creating dynamic and compelling overlays. It defines how an overlay behaves when taken on-air or off-air, or sitting on screen.

The three methods of animating in Singular's Composer are:

* [Timeline animations](#timeline-animations)
* [Behavior animations](#behavior-animations)
* [Update animations](#update-animations)

### Timeline animations

The most important and necessary of the three types of animations is the timeline animation. Timeline animation defines what an overlay does when taken on and off air. Does an overlay fade, slide, or twirl when you take it on or off air?

[Click here for a tutorial on how to create timeline animations](/singular-basics/building-overlays-in-composer/animating-overlays/how-to-create-timeline-animations.md).

### Behavior animations

Behavior animations allow you to add looping animations to Composer elements. This is useful for adding things like a flare or other living holds to an overlay. The purpose of behavior animations is to make overlays more alive while they are on-air. How do your overlays behave on air?

[Click here for a tutorial on how to create behavior animations](/singular-basics/building-overlays-in-composer/animating-overlays/how-to-create-behavior-animations.md).

### Update animations

Update animations are triggered when new data is pushed to overlays. If an update animation is enabled, any new information sent to your overlay will update with an animation of your choosing. Think of a fade out and then a fade in when the score of your favorite sports team goes from 0 to 1 on the scoreboard. 

[Click here for a tutorial on how to create update animations](/singular-basics/building-overlays-in-composer/animating-overlays/how-to-create-update-animations.md).


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