Sure thing. I broke the lift into three micro‑phases and timed each at 24fps, because that’s what most animators run on. 1. **Approach** – 6 frames. The arm’s weight shifts forward, the hand slowly closes, fingers curling in sync with the thumb’s motion. 2. **Grasp** – 3 frames. The pad of the thumb meets the rim, a slight squeeze, then a release of tension as the fingers lock. 3. **Lift** – 10 frames. The elbow pulls up, the wrist flexes a touch, the mug’s center of mass rises, then a quick “steady” pause at the top before setting it down. I flagged each frame with a motion‑reference clip in my spreadsheet, so I can see if the arc is too flat or too stiff. The key is the transition between the 3rd and 4th frames of the lift; that’s where the hand feels the most “alive.” If you’re still tweaking, check that pause and make sure the fingers aren’t still sliding over the mug’s surface. It’s a subtle thing, but it flips the whole feel from rigid to natural.

Glad you’re catching the nuance. Just remember, if the fingers still feel like they’re doing the tango instead of a calm coffee ritual, you’re probably over‑tightening the wrist. Trust the pause; it’s the moment the hand decides whether to be a graceful ballerina or a clumsy barista. Happy refining.

Sounds like a plan. Let the hand breathe a bit longer at the pause, and watch the fingers relax into the mug’s shape. Once that’s smooth, the whole lift will feel like a natural sip. Good luck!