> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://lightbug14.gitbook.io/ccp/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://lightbug14.gitbook.io/ccp/how-to.../implementation/states/add-animation-to-a-state.md).

# Handle animation

## Creating the Animator controller

To add a custom animator controller first create one.

![](/files/-MA7rwv27gYrKn7UIEpY)

Next, design the animation node based graph as you want.

![](/files/-MA7sXgUHY_FDooBUrO6)

## Assigning a runtime controller

There are three possible approaches:

1. You can assign one big runtime controller to the Animator component directly and ignore individual controllers (states). 
2. You can use individual runtime controllers from each state. For more information please read [this](/ccp/fundamentals/implementation/character-state-controller.md#animation).
3. You can use a mix between 1 and 2.

## Using the Animator component

Any state can access the Animator component by using the "Animator" public property from CharacterActor.

```csharp
Animator animator = CharacterActor.Animator;
```

Once you got this reference you can do whatever you want. Here is a code snippet taken from the NormalMovement state (Demo):

```csharp
public override void PostUpdateBehaviour(float dt)
{       
    if (!CharacterActor.IsAnimatorValid())
        return;
    
    CharacterActor.Animator.SetBool(groundedParameter , CharacterActor.IsGrounded);
    CharacterActor.Animator.SetBool(stableParameter , CharacterActor.IsStable);
    CharacterActor.Animator.SetFloat(verticalSpeedParameter , CharacterActor.LocalVelocity.y);
    CharacterActor.Animator.SetFloat(planarSpeedParameter , CharacterActor.PlanarVelocity.magnitude);
    CharacterActor.Animator.SetFloat(horizontalAxisParameter , CharacterActions.movement.value.x);
    CharacterActor.Animator.SetFloat(verticalAxisParameter , CharacterActions.movement.value.y);	
    CharacterActor.Animator.SetBool(isCrouchedParameter , isCrouched);        
    
}
```

{% hint style="info" %}
It is recommended to set certain parameters during the `PreCharacterSimulation` and/or `PostCharacterSimulation` methods.

The reason for this is because the actor might modify the body velocity along the way, so the values won't be updated by the time the frame is rendered.
{% endhint %}