But better one is bone animations of'course.
Maybe is a little slower but a lot of easyer to create.
1. create bones
2. Attach vertex to bones
3. make some simple animation and name it f.e. test
4. then in player loop add f.e. make_animation();
5. create function with the same name (make_animate)
Code:

---

action player
{
 ....
 .....
 make_animate();
} 
 

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then make_animate function
Code:

---

 
define anim_speed, skill1;
 function make_animate
{
	my.anim_speed += 3 * time_step; // how fast animation should be
	ent_animate(me,NULL,0,0); // reset bones every loop
	ent_animate(me,"test",my.anim_speed,anm_cycle); //animate
}
 

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After all the best way to learn is practice and reading help
Check f.e thisclick and go and find animation part.