Animation Notifies and Events
Triggers placed on specific frames of an animation
Also known as: Anim Notify · Animation events Unity · Footstep notify · Notify state · Hit window animation · Animation callbacks
Definition
Animation notifies, called animation events in Unity, are markers placed on specific frames of an animation that trigger something in the game when the animation passes them. Typical uses are footstep sounds and dust at foot contacts, spawning a muzzle flash on the frame of a shot, opening a damage window during a sword swing and playing a reload sound. Unreal Engine also has notify states, which span a range of frames, for things like an active hitbox or a trail effect.
In production
Place the notify exactly on the frame of the action, such as the foot contact or the moment of impact, and test it at different playback speeds, since blending can shift the timing. Use clear names that gameplay and audio teams recognize. Keep logic in the game and use notifies only to trigger it, so changes in animation do not break systems. Effects such as VFX and sound should be attached with this method.
Tools that use Animation Notifies and Events
See also
Animation Montage
Unreal asset for playing action sequences from gameplay
VFX Timing (Anticipation, Impact, Dissipation)
The rhythm that makes an effect feel right
Particle System
Spawns and animates many small elements
Foot Sliding in Game Animation
Feet glide over the ground while walking
Animation State Machine
Graph of animation states and transitions
Blueprint
Unreal Engine visual scripting