---
title: "Bend a move into an arc"
description: "Curve a layer's route and inspect the poses before and after the playhead."
canonical: "https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/how-to/bend-a-motion-path/"
last_updated: 2026-10-29
---

# Bend a move into an arc

Curve a layer's route and inspect the poses before and after the playhead.

Start with a layer that has two joined **Position** keys at different places.

1. Click the layer on the stage. Its motion path appears, with diamonds for keys and dots for frames.
2. Click the starting diamond. Its path handles appear.
3. Drag a handle away from the straight path. The route bends into an arc.
4. Press `:`. The command palette opens.
5. Type `onion skin`. **Onion skin** appears in the results.
6. Press `⏎`. Nearby frames are outlined on the paused stage.
7. Click halfway through the move on the score's ruler (the timeline). Earlier poses appear in red and later poses in green.

![A curved motion path with two earlier poses outlined red and two later poses green](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/assets/shots/animate-onion.png)

Next: [adjust the onion skin](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/animating.md#onion-skin), or watch
[Motion paths and onion skin](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/motion-paths/).