First things first, let's create the frames for our animation. Think of these frames as snapshots of different states, like a button before and after you click it.

Now, let's design all the elements that will go into each frame. Make sure everything you want to animate is present in both frames. It's like setting the stage for a play.

Switch over to Prototype mode by clicking the "Prototype" tab on the right. Pick an element in the first frame, then click and drag that little blue node to the frame you want to connect to. Easy peasy.

Once you've connected the frames, a settings menu will pop up on the right. Here, you can choose how the interaction will be triggered. Options include "On Click," "While Hovering," or "After Delay". Pick what suits your needs.

Next, select the type of animation from the dropdown labeled "Animation." You have options like "Instant," "Dissolve," "Move In," and "Smart Animate." For more complex animations, "Smart Animate" is a great choice because it automatically animates the properties that change between frames.

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Customize properties like "Ease In," "Ease Out," "Linear," or even "Custom Bezier" for easing. Adjust the duration of the animation to get the effect just right.

Tweak the delay and duration settings as needed. The "Delay" option tells the animation how long to wait before starting, while "Duration" determines how long the animation will last. Timing is everything!

When using "Smart Animate," make sure to use the "Smart Animate Matching Layers" option. This helps align objects between frames for a smoother transition. Just ensure the layer names match between frames for objects that should animate together.

Hit the play button at the top right corner to preview your prototype and animation. Make any adjustments needed by going back to the design and prototype settings. It's like rehearsing before the big show.

Finally, use the "Present" feature to see how the animation looks on different screen sizes and devices. Make sure it performs well across various contexts. You want it to look good everywhere, right?