# How do duration, hold, and samples work?

> Control how long the motion runs, pauses at the ends, and its keyframe density.

_The Timing section: Duration, Start at, Hold start, Hold end, Samples._

1. **Duration** — how long one traversal of the path takes.
2. **Start at** — offsets the whole animation later on the timeline.
3. **Hold start / Hold end** — pause the layer at the beginning / end before or after it travels.
4. **Samples** — how many keyframes are written along the path. More samples = smoother curves but a busier timeline.
5. **Stagger** — with multiple layers, offsets each one’s start *in time* so they follow each other down the path.
6. **Distribute** — with multiple layers, spaces them *along the path* at a fixed gap and moves them together: trains, comet trails, particles on a path. Set **Spacing** for the gap; turn on **Wrap** for a closed path so each object makes a full circuit (conveyor belt).

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More Motion Path help: https://systergon.com/motion-path/help