> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.siminsights.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.siminsights.com/hyperskill-studio-authoring/state-machine-reference/actions/play-animation.md).

# Play Animation

Play Animation plays an animation that exists on an entity. A detailed explanation of controls and interface functions is described in the section [State Machine Builder User Interface](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-o5qSv4zTkzj7YSmRTkV4zezFq7lwU00FyTy0kw1l1U/edit#bookmark=id.6vu41emx3478).

1. Within the edit Simulation section of the HyperSkill Desktop application, navigate to the State Machine tab.
2. Click on the desired state and, from the dropdown in either the entry or exit actions, select the type Play Animation.
3. Press the + button to add the action to the action list.

<figure><img src="https://2704613365-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxYaaXoZ4YGbVdAnAhdcE%2Fuploads%2FU9ngevf4ARwpK9qu1N2s%2F113.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9be6d1d6-05bd-4108-a95b-498b5cd70759" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Select the entity from the ![](https://2704613365-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxYaaXoZ4YGbVdAnAhdcE%2Fuploads%2FZ8fBYxzFRwsqy9UfD0GJ%2F108_114.png?alt=media\&token=f1f4ec42-9dcf-48a6-b5b4-52dd0530b13b) dropdown. Any VO can be selected at this point, whether or not it has an animation on it.
5. Select the animation from the ![](https://2704613365-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxYaaXoZ4YGbVdAnAhdcE%2Fuploads%2FBFhJdrklmxEKGEYucwRM%2F115.png?alt=media\&token=5b67eb9f-c661-4602-9003-ad1751ab2f3b) dropdown. It is only populated if an animation exists on the selected entity.
6. To play only part of an animation, select the Sub Clip field. You can then use the Start Time and End Time fields to control which frames of the animation play.

To use an uploaded Unity Animation Controller instead, see [Animation Controller](/hyperskill-studio-authoring/state-machine-reference/actions/animation-controller.md).