Gradient domain editing of animated meshes is described. Exemplary systems edit deforming mesh sequences by applying Laplacian mesh editing techniques in the spacetime domain. A user selects relevant frames or handles to edit and the edits are propagated to the entire sequence. For example, if the mesh depicts an animated figure, then user-modifications to position of limbs, head, torso, etc., in one frame are propagated to the entire sequence. In advanced editing modes, a user can reposition footprints over new terrain and the system automatically conforms the walking figure to the new footprints. A user-sketched curve can automatically provide a new motion path. Movements of one animated figure can be transferred to a different figure. Caricature and cartoon special effects are available. The user can also select spacetime morphing to smoothly change the shape and motion of one animated figure into another over a short interval.