Animation software enables the creation and manipulation of animation in terms of relationships between poses, as opposed to discrete values of computer graphics variable knots. Poses are automatically associated with animation structures that define object pose or poses over a time interval, rather than at a single discrete time. Animation structures may define and manipulate animation data defined over time intervals as a unit, as opposed to a set of unrelated computer graphics variable knots. Animation structures may be used to block out the general form, timing, and rhythm of animations. Optional transition animation structures, pose anticipations, and pose reactions may be automatically or manually defined between adjacent pose hold durations. General parameters of an animation structure may be applied to create or modify the animation data associated with the animation structure. Operations on animation structures can be applied to all of the animation data included in these animation structures.