.animate helper: create and start an animation directly on a target. Preferred use pattern; closes #175

src/Animation.cpp

@@ -40,17 +40,18 @@ Animation::Animation(const std::string& targetProperty,
 
 Animation::~Animation() {
     // Decrease reference count for Python callback if we still own it
+    // Guard with Py_IsInitialized() because destructor may run during interpreter shutdown
     PyObject* callback = pythonCallback;
-    if (callback) {
+    if (callback && Py_IsInitialized()) {
         pythonCallback = nullptr;
-        
+
         PyGILState_STATE gstate = PyGILState_Ensure();
         Py_DECREF(callback);
         PyGILState_Release(gstate);
     }
-    
-    // Clean up cache entry
-    if (serial_number != 0) {
+
+    // Clean up cache entry (also guard - PythonObjectCache may use Python)
+    if (serial_number != 0 && Py_IsInitialized()) {
         PythonObjectCache::getInstance().remove(serial_number);
     }
 }

src/UIArc.cpp

@@ -303,6 +303,23 @@ bool UIArc::getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const {
     return false;
 }
 
+bool UIArc::hasProperty(const std::string& name) const {
+    // Float properties
+    if (name == "radius" || name == "start_angle" || name == "end_angle" ||
+        name == "thickness" || name == "x" || name == "y") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Color properties
+    if (name == "color") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Vector2f properties
+    if (name == "center") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 // Python API implementation
 PyObject* UIArc::get_center(PyUIArcObject* self, void* closure) {
     auto center = self->data->getCenter();

src/UIArc.h

@@ -85,6 +85,8 @@ public:
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Color& value) const override;
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const override;
 
+    bool hasProperty(const std::string& name) const override;
+
     // Python API
     static PyObject* get_center(PyUIArcObject* self, void* closure);
     static int set_center(PyUIArcObject* self, PyObject* value, void* closure);

src/UIBase.h

@@ -71,13 +71,25 @@ static PyObject* UIDrawable_resize(T* self, PyObject* args)
     if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args, "ff", &w, &h)) {
         return NULL;
     }
-    
+
     self->data->resize(w, h);
     Py_RETURN_NONE;
 }
 
-// Macro to add common UIDrawable methods to a method array
-#define UIDRAWABLE_METHODS \
+// animate method implementation - shorthand for creating and starting animations
+// This free function is implemented in UIDrawable.cpp
+// We use a free function instead of UIDrawable::animate_helper to avoid incomplete type issues
+class UIDrawable;
+PyObject* UIDrawable_animate_impl(std::shared_ptr<UIDrawable> target, PyObject* args, PyObject* kwds);
+
+template<typename T>
+static PyObject* UIDrawable_animate(T* self, PyObject* args, PyObject* kwds)
+{
+    return UIDrawable_animate_impl(self->data, args, kwds);
+}
+
+// Macro to add common UIDrawable methods to a method array (without animate - for base types)
+#define UIDRAWABLE_METHODS_BASE \
     {"get_bounds", (PyCFunction)UIDrawable_get_bounds<PyObjectType>, METH_NOARGS, \
      MCRF_METHOD(Drawable, get_bounds, \
          MCRF_SIG("()", "tuple"), \
@@ -104,6 +116,29 @@ static PyObject* UIDrawable_resize(T* self, PyObject* args)
          MCRF_NOTE("For Caption and Sprite, this may not change actual size if determined by content.") \
      )}
 
+// Macro to add common UIDrawable methods to a method array (includes animate for UIDrawable derivatives)
+#define UIDRAWABLE_METHODS \
+    UIDRAWABLE_METHODS_BASE, \
+    {"animate", (PyCFunction)UIDrawable_animate<PyObjectType>, METH_VARARGS | METH_KEYWORDS, \
+     MCRF_METHOD(Drawable, animate, \
+         MCRF_SIG("(property: str, target: Any, duration: float, easing=None, delta=False, callback=None, conflict_mode='replace')", "Animation"), \
+         MCRF_DESC("Create and start an animation on this drawable's property."), \
+         MCRF_ARGS_START \
+         MCRF_ARG("property", "Name of the property to animate (e.g., 'x', 'fill_color', 'opacity')") \
+         MCRF_ARG("target", "Target value - type depends on property (float, tuple for color/vector, etc.)") \
+         MCRF_ARG("duration", "Animation duration in seconds") \
+         MCRF_ARG("easing", "Easing function: Easing enum value, string name, or None for linear") \
+         MCRF_ARG("delta", "If True, target is relative to current value; if False, target is absolute") \
+         MCRF_ARG("callback", "Optional callable invoked when animation completes") \
+         MCRF_ARG("conflict_mode", "'replace' (default), 'queue', or 'error' if property already animating") \
+         MCRF_RETURNS("Animation object for monitoring progress") \
+         MCRF_RAISES("ValueError", "If property name is not valid for this drawable type") \
+         MCRF_NOTE("This is a convenience method that creates an Animation, starts it, and adds it to the AnimationManager.") \
+     )}
+
+// Legacy macro for backwards compatibility - same as UIDRAWABLE_METHODS
+#define UIDRAWABLE_METHODS_FULL UIDRAWABLE_METHODS
+
 // Property getters/setters for visible and opacity
 template<typename T>
 static PyObject* UIDrawable_get_visible(T* self, void* closure)

src/UICaption.cpp

@@ -657,3 +657,24 @@ bool UICaption::getProperty(const std::string& name, std::string& value) const {
     return false;
 }
 
+bool UICaption::hasProperty(const std::string& name) const {
+    // Float properties
+    if (name == "x" || name == "y" ||
+        name == "font_size" || name == "size" || name == "outline" ||
+        name == "fill_color.r" || name == "fill_color.g" ||
+        name == "fill_color.b" || name == "fill_color.a" ||
+        name == "outline_color.r" || name == "outline_color.g" ||
+        name == "outline_color.b" || name == "outline_color.a") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Color properties
+    if (name == "fill_color" || name == "outline_color") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // String properties
+    if (name == "text") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+

src/UICaption.h

@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ public:
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Color& value) const override;
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, std::string& value) const override;
 
+    bool hasProperty(const std::string& name) const override;
+
     static PyObject* get_float_member(PyUICaptionObject* self, void* closure);
     static int set_float_member(PyUICaptionObject* self, PyObject* value, void* closure);
     static PyObject* get_vec_member(PyUICaptionObject* self, void* closure);

src/UICircle.cpp

@@ -248,6 +248,23 @@ bool UICircle::getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const {
     return false;
 }
 
+bool UICircle::hasProperty(const std::string& name) const {
+    // Float properties
+    if (name == "radius" || name == "outline" ||
+        name == "x" || name == "y") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Color properties
+    if (name == "fill_color" || name == "outline_color") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Vector2f properties
+    if (name == "center" || name == "position") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 // Python API implementations
 PyObject* UICircle::get_radius(PyUICircleObject* self, void* closure) {
     return PyFloat_FromDouble(self->data->getRadius());

src/UICircle.h

@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ public:
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Color& value) const override;
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const override;
 
+    bool hasProperty(const std::string& name) const override;
+
     // Python API
     static PyObject* get_radius(PyUICircleObject* self, void* closure);
     static int set_radius(PyUICircleObject* self, PyObject* value, void* closure);

src/UIDrawable.cpp

@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@
 #include "GameEngine.h"
 #include "McRFPy_API.h"
 #include "PythonObjectCache.h"
+#include "Animation.h"
+#include "PyAnimation.h"
+#include "PyEasing.h"
 
 UIDrawable::UIDrawable() : position(0.0f, 0.0f) { click_callable = NULL;  }
 
@@ -1441,3 +1444,153 @@ int UIDrawable::set_on_move(PyObject* self, PyObject* value, void* closure) {
     }
     return 0;
 }
+
+// Animation shorthand helper - creates and starts an animation on a UIDrawable
+// This is a free function (not a member) to avoid incomplete type issues in UIBase.h template
+PyObject* UIDrawable_animate_impl(std::shared_ptr<UIDrawable> self, PyObject* args, PyObject* kwds) {
+    static const char* keywords[] = {"property", "target", "duration", "easing", "delta", "callback", "conflict_mode", nullptr};
+
+    const char* property_name;
+    PyObject* target_value;
+    float duration;
+    PyObject* easing_arg = Py_None;
+    int delta = 0;
+    PyObject* callback = nullptr;
+    const char* conflict_mode_str = nullptr;
+
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kwds, "sOf|OpOs", const_cast<char**>(keywords),
+                                      &property_name, &target_value, &duration,
+                                      &easing_arg, &delta, &callback, &conflict_mode_str)) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Validate property exists on this drawable
+    if (!self->hasProperty(property_name)) {
+        PyErr_Format(PyExc_ValueError,
+            "Property '%s' is not valid for animation on this object. "
+            "Check spelling or use a supported property name.",
+            property_name);
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Validate callback is callable if provided
+    if (callback && callback != Py_None && !PyCallable_Check(callback)) {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_TypeError, "callback must be callable");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Convert None to nullptr for C++
+    if (callback == Py_None) {
+        callback = nullptr;
+    }
+
+    // Convert Python target value to AnimationValue
+    AnimationValue animValue;
+
+    if (PyFloat_Check(target_value)) {
+        animValue = static_cast<float>(PyFloat_AsDouble(target_value));
+    }
+    else if (PyLong_Check(target_value)) {
+        animValue = static_cast<int>(PyLong_AsLong(target_value));
+    }
+    else if (PyList_Check(target_value)) {
+        // List of integers for sprite animation
+        std::vector<int> indices;
+        Py_ssize_t size = PyList_Size(target_value);
+        for (Py_ssize_t i = 0; i < size; i++) {
+            PyObject* item = PyList_GetItem(target_value, i);
+            if (PyLong_Check(item)) {
+                indices.push_back(PyLong_AsLong(item));
+            } else {
+                PyErr_SetString(PyExc_TypeError, "Sprite animation list must contain only integers");
+                return NULL;
+            }
+        }
+        animValue = indices;
+    }
+    else if (PyTuple_Check(target_value)) {
+        Py_ssize_t size = PyTuple_Size(target_value);
+        if (size == 2) {
+            // Vector2f
+            float x = PyFloat_AsDouble(PyTuple_GetItem(target_value, 0));
+            float y = PyFloat_AsDouble(PyTuple_GetItem(target_value, 1));
+            if (PyErr_Occurred()) return NULL;
+            animValue = sf::Vector2f(x, y);
+        }
+        else if (size == 3 || size == 4) {
+            // Color (RGB or RGBA)
+            int r = PyLong_AsLong(PyTuple_GetItem(target_value, 0));
+            int g = PyLong_AsLong(PyTuple_GetItem(target_value, 1));
+            int b = PyLong_AsLong(PyTuple_GetItem(target_value, 2));
+            int a = size == 4 ? PyLong_AsLong(PyTuple_GetItem(target_value, 3)) : 255;
+            if (PyErr_Occurred()) return NULL;
+            animValue = sf::Color(r, g, b, a);
+        }
+        else {
+            PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ValueError, "Tuple must have 2 elements (vector) or 3-4 elements (color)");
+            return NULL;
+        }
+    }
+    else if (PyUnicode_Check(target_value)) {
+        // String for text animation
+        const char* str = PyUnicode_AsUTF8(target_value);
+        animValue = std::string(str);
+    }
+    else {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_TypeError, "Target value must be float, int, list, tuple, or string");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Get easing function from argument
+    EasingFunction easingFunc;
+    if (!PyEasing::from_arg(easing_arg, &easingFunc, nullptr)) {
+        return NULL;  // Error already set by from_arg
+    }
+
+    // Parse conflict mode
+    AnimationConflictMode conflict_mode = AnimationConflictMode::REPLACE;
+    if (conflict_mode_str) {
+        if (strcmp(conflict_mode_str, "replace") == 0) {
+            conflict_mode = AnimationConflictMode::REPLACE;
+        } else if (strcmp(conflict_mode_str, "queue") == 0) {
+            conflict_mode = AnimationConflictMode::QUEUE;
+        } else if (strcmp(conflict_mode_str, "error") == 0) {
+            conflict_mode = AnimationConflictMode::ERROR;
+        } else {
+            PyErr_Format(PyExc_ValueError,
+                "Invalid conflict_mode '%s'. Must be 'replace', 'queue', or 'error'.", conflict_mode_str);
+            return NULL;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Create the Animation
+    auto animation = std::make_shared<Animation>(property_name, animValue, duration, easingFunc, delta != 0, callback);
+
+    // Start on this drawable
+    animation->start(self);
+
+    // Add to AnimationManager
+    AnimationManager::getInstance().addAnimation(animation, conflict_mode);
+
+    // Check if ERROR mode raised an exception
+    if (PyErr_Occurred()) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Create and return a PyAnimation wrapper
+    PyTypeObject* animType = (PyTypeObject*)PyObject_GetAttrString(McRFPy_API::mcrf_module, "Animation");
+    if (!animType) {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_RuntimeError, "Could not find Animation type");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    PyAnimationObject* pyAnim = (PyAnimationObject*)animType->tp_alloc(animType, 0);
+    Py_DECREF(animType);
+
+    if (!pyAnim) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    pyAnim->data = animation;
+    return (PyObject*)pyAnim;
+}

src/UIDrawable.h

@@ -156,7 +156,13 @@ public:
     virtual bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Color& value) const { return false; }
     virtual bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const { return false; }
     virtual bool getProperty(const std::string& name, std::string& value) const { return false; }
-    
+
+    // Check if a property name is valid for animation on this drawable type
+    virtual bool hasProperty(const std::string& name) const { return false; }
+
+    // Note: animate_helper is now a free function (UIDrawable_animate_impl) declared in UIBase.h
+    // to avoid incomplete type issues with template instantiation.
+
     // Python object cache support
     uint64_t serial_number = 0;
     

src/UIEntity.cpp

@@ -2,10 +2,14 @@
 #include "UIGrid.h"
 #include "McRFPy_API.h"
 #include <algorithm>
+#include <cstring>
 #include "PyObjectUtils.h"
 #include "PyVector.h"
 #include "PythonObjectCache.h"
 #include "PyFOV.h"
+#include "Animation.h"
+#include "PyAnimation.h"
+#include "PyEasing.h"
 // UIDrawable methods now in UIBase.h
 #include "UIEntityPyMethods.h"
 
@@ -775,8 +779,26 @@ PyMethodDef UIEntity::methods[] = {
 typedef PyUIEntityObject PyObjectType;
 
 // Combine base methods with entity-specific methods
+// Note: Use UIDRAWABLE_METHODS_BASE (not UIDRAWABLE_METHODS) because UIEntity is NOT a UIDrawable
+// and the template-based animate helper won't work. Entity has its own animate() method.
 PyMethodDef UIEntity_all_methods[] = {
-    UIDRAWABLE_METHODS,
+    UIDRAWABLE_METHODS_BASE,
+    {"animate", (PyCFunction)UIEntity::animate, METH_VARARGS | METH_KEYWORDS,
+     MCRF_METHOD(Entity, animate,
+         MCRF_SIG("(property: str, target: Any, duration: float, easing=None, delta=False, callback=None, conflict_mode='replace')", "Animation"),
+         MCRF_DESC("Create and start an animation on this entity's property."),
+         MCRF_ARGS_START
+         MCRF_ARG("property", "Name of the property to animate (e.g., 'x', 'y', 'sprite_index')")
+         MCRF_ARG("target", "Target value - float or int depending on property")
+         MCRF_ARG("duration", "Animation duration in seconds")
+         MCRF_ARG("easing", "Easing function: Easing enum value, string name, or None for linear")
+         MCRF_ARG("delta", "If True, target is relative to current value; if False, target is absolute")
+         MCRF_ARG("callback", "Optional callable invoked when animation completes")
+         MCRF_ARG("conflict_mode", "'replace' (default), 'queue', or 'error' if property already animating")
+         MCRF_RETURNS("Animation object for monitoring progress")
+         MCRF_RAISES("ValueError", "If property name is not valid for Entity (x, y, sprite_scale, sprite_index)")
+         MCRF_NOTE("Entity animations use grid coordinates for x/y, not pixel coordinates.")
+     )},
     {"at", (PyCFunction)UIEntity::at, METH_O},
     {"index", (PyCFunction)UIEntity::index, METH_NOARGS, "Return the index of this entity in its grid's entity collection"},
     {"die", (PyCFunction)UIEntity::die, METH_NOARGS, "Remove this entity from its grid"},
@@ -885,3 +907,122 @@ bool UIEntity::getProperty(const std::string& name, float& value) const {
     }
     return false;
 }
+
+bool UIEntity::hasProperty(const std::string& name) const {
+    // Float properties
+    if (name == "x" || name == "y" || name == "sprite_scale") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Int properties
+    if (name == "sprite_index" || name == "sprite_number") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+// Animation shorthand for Entity - creates and starts an animation
+PyObject* UIEntity::animate(PyUIEntityObject* self, PyObject* args, PyObject* kwds) {
+    static const char* keywords[] = {"property", "target", "duration", "easing", "delta", "callback", "conflict_mode", nullptr};
+
+    const char* property_name;
+    PyObject* target_value;
+    float duration;
+    PyObject* easing_arg = Py_None;
+    int delta = 0;
+    PyObject* callback = nullptr;
+    const char* conflict_mode_str = nullptr;
+
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kwds, "sOf|OpOs", const_cast<char**>(keywords),
+                                      &property_name, &target_value, &duration,
+                                      &easing_arg, &delta, &callback, &conflict_mode_str)) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Validate property exists on this entity
+    if (!self->data->hasProperty(property_name)) {
+        PyErr_Format(PyExc_ValueError,
+            "Property '%s' is not valid for animation on Entity. "
+            "Valid properties: x, y, sprite_scale, sprite_index, sprite_number",
+            property_name);
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Validate callback is callable if provided
+    if (callback && callback != Py_None && !PyCallable_Check(callback)) {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_TypeError, "callback must be callable");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Convert None to nullptr for C++
+    if (callback == Py_None) {
+        callback = nullptr;
+    }
+
+    // Convert Python target value to AnimationValue
+    // Entity only supports float and int properties
+    AnimationValue animValue;
+
+    if (PyFloat_Check(target_value)) {
+        animValue = static_cast<float>(PyFloat_AsDouble(target_value));
+    }
+    else if (PyLong_Check(target_value)) {
+        animValue = static_cast<int>(PyLong_AsLong(target_value));
+    }
+    else {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_TypeError, "Entity animations only support float or int target values");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Get easing function from argument
+    EasingFunction easingFunc;
+    if (!PyEasing::from_arg(easing_arg, &easingFunc, nullptr)) {
+        return NULL;  // Error already set by from_arg
+    }
+
+    // Parse conflict mode
+    AnimationConflictMode conflict_mode = AnimationConflictMode::REPLACE;
+    if (conflict_mode_str) {
+        if (strcmp(conflict_mode_str, "replace") == 0) {
+            conflict_mode = AnimationConflictMode::REPLACE;
+        } else if (strcmp(conflict_mode_str, "queue") == 0) {
+            conflict_mode = AnimationConflictMode::QUEUE;
+        } else if (strcmp(conflict_mode_str, "error") == 0) {
+            conflict_mode = AnimationConflictMode::ERROR;
+        } else {
+            PyErr_Format(PyExc_ValueError,
+                "Invalid conflict_mode '%s'. Must be 'replace', 'queue', or 'error'.", conflict_mode_str);
+            return NULL;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Create the Animation
+    auto animation = std::make_shared<Animation>(property_name, animValue, duration, easingFunc, delta != 0, callback);
+
+    // Start on this entity (uses startEntity, not start)
+    animation->startEntity(self->data);
+
+    // Add to AnimationManager
+    AnimationManager::getInstance().addAnimation(animation, conflict_mode);
+
+    // Check if ERROR mode raised an exception
+    if (PyErr_Occurred()) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // Create and return a PyAnimation wrapper
+    PyTypeObject* animType = (PyTypeObject*)PyObject_GetAttrString(McRFPy_API::mcrf_module, "Animation");
+    if (!animType) {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_RuntimeError, "Could not find Animation type");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    PyAnimationObject* pyAnim = (PyAnimationObject*)animType->tp_alloc(animType, 0);
+    Py_DECREF(animType);
+
+    if (!pyAnim) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    pyAnim->data = animation;
+    return (PyObject*)pyAnim;
+}

src/UIEntity.h

@@ -78,7 +78,12 @@ public:
     bool setProperty(const std::string& name, float value);
     bool setProperty(const std::string& name, int value);
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, float& value) const;
-    
+    bool hasProperty(const std::string& name) const;
+
+    // Animation shorthand helper - creates and starts an animation on this entity
+    // Returns a PyAnimation object. Used by the .animate() method.
+    static PyObject* animate(PyUIEntityObject* self, PyObject* args, PyObject* kwds);
+
     // Methods that delegate to sprite
     sf::FloatRect get_bounds() const { return sprite.get_bounds(); }
     void move(float dx, float dy) { sprite.move(dx, dy); position.x += dx; position.y += dy; }

src/UIFrame.cpp

@@ -885,3 +885,24 @@ bool UIFrame::getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const {
     }
     return false;
 }
+
+bool UIFrame::hasProperty(const std::string& name) const {
+    // Float properties
+    if (name == "x" || name == "y" || name == "w" || name == "h" ||
+        name == "outline" ||
+        name == "fill_color.r" || name == "fill_color.g" ||
+        name == "fill_color.b" || name == "fill_color.a" ||
+        name == "outline_color.r" || name == "outline_color.g" ||
+        name == "outline_color.b" || name == "outline_color.a") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Color properties
+    if (name == "fill_color" || name == "outline_color") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Vector2f properties
+    if (name == "position" || name == "size") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}

src/UIFrame.h

@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ public:
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, float& value) const override;
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Color& value) const override;
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const override;
+
+    bool hasProperty(const std::string& name) const override;
 };
 
 // Forward declaration of methods array

src/UIGrid.cpp

@@ -3436,3 +3436,20 @@ bool UIGrid::getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const {
     }
     return false;
 }
+
+bool UIGrid::hasProperty(const std::string& name) const {
+    // Float properties
+    if (name == "x" || name == "y" ||
+        name == "w" || name == "h" || name == "width" || name == "height" ||
+        name == "center_x" || name == "center_y" || name == "zoom" ||
+        name == "z_index" ||
+        name == "fill_color.r" || name == "fill_color.g" ||
+        name == "fill_color.b" || name == "fill_color.a") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Vector2f properties
+    if (name == "position" || name == "size" || name == "center") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}

src/UIGrid.h

@@ -138,6 +138,8 @@ public:
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, float& value) const override;
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const override;
 
+    bool hasProperty(const std::string& name) const override;
+
     static int init(PyUIGridObject* self, PyObject* args, PyObject* kwds);
     static PyObject* get_grid_size(PyUIGridObject* self, void* closure);
     static PyObject* get_grid_x(PyUIGridObject* self, void* closure);

src/UILine.cpp

@@ -327,6 +327,24 @@ bool UILine::getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const {
     return false;
 }
 
+bool UILine::hasProperty(const std::string& name) const {
+    // Float properties
+    if (name == "thickness" || name == "x" || name == "y" ||
+        name == "start_x" || name == "start_y" ||
+        name == "end_x" || name == "end_y") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Color properties
+    if (name == "color") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Vector2f properties
+    if (name == "start" || name == "end") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 // Python API implementation
 PyObject* UILine::get_start(PyUILineObject* self, void* closure) {
     auto vec = self->data->getStart();

src/UILine.h

@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ public:
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Color& value) const override;
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, sf::Vector2f& value) const override;
 
+    bool hasProperty(const std::string& name) const override;
+
     // Python API
     static PyObject* get_start(PyUILineObject* self, void* closure);
     static int set_start(PyUILineObject* self, PyObject* value, void* closure);

src/UISprite.cpp

@@ -626,3 +626,17 @@ bool UISprite::getProperty(const std::string& name, int& value) const {
     }
     return false;
 }
+
+bool UISprite::hasProperty(const std::string& name) const {
+    // Float properties
+    if (name == "x" || name == "y" ||
+        name == "scale" || name == "scale_x" || name == "scale_y" ||
+        name == "z_index") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    // Int properties
+    if (name == "sprite_index" || name == "sprite_number") {
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}

src/UISprite.h

@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ public:
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, float& value) const override;
     bool getProperty(const std::string& name, int& value) const override;
 
+    bool hasProperty(const std::string& name) const override;
 
     static PyObject* get_float_member(PyUISpriteObject* self, void* closure);
     static int set_float_member(PyUISpriteObject* self, PyObject* value, void* closure);

tests/unit/animate_method_test.py

@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Test the new .animate() shorthand method on UIDrawable and UIEntity.
+
+This tests issue #177 - ergonomic animation API.
+"""
+import mcrfpy
+import sys
+
+def test_frame_animate():
+    """Test animate() on Frame"""
+    frame = mcrfpy.Frame(pos=(100, 100), size=(200, 200))
+
+    # Basic float property animation
+    anim = frame.animate("x", 300.0, 1.0)
+    assert anim is not None, "animate() should return an Animation object"
+
+    # Color property animation
+    anim2 = frame.animate("fill_color", (255, 0, 0, 255), 0.5)
+    assert anim2 is not None
+
+    # Vector property animation
+    anim3 = frame.animate("position", (400.0, 400.0), 0.5)
+    assert anim3 is not None
+
+    print("  Frame animate() - PASS")
+
+def test_caption_animate():
+    """Test animate() on Caption"""
+    caption = mcrfpy.Caption(text="Hello", pos=(50, 50))
+
+    # Position animation
+    anim = caption.animate("y", 200.0, 1.0)
+    assert anim is not None
+
+    # Font size animation
+    anim2 = caption.animate("font_size", 24.0, 0.5)
+    assert anim2 is not None
+
+    print("  Caption animate() - PASS")
+
+def test_sprite_animate():
+    """Test animate() on Sprite"""
+    # Create with default texture
+    sprite = mcrfpy.Sprite(pos=(100, 100))
+
+    # Scale animation
+    anim = sprite.animate("scale", 2.0, 1.0)
+    assert anim is not None
+
+    # Sprite index animation
+    anim2 = sprite.animate("sprite_index", 5, 0.5)
+    assert anim2 is not None
+
+    print("  Sprite animate() - PASS")
+
+def test_grid_animate():
+    """Test animate() on Grid"""
+    grid = mcrfpy.Grid(grid_size=(10, 10), pos=(50, 50), size=(300, 300))
+
+    # Zoom animation
+    anim = grid.animate("zoom", 2.0, 1.0)
+    assert anim is not None
+
+    # Center animation
+    anim2 = grid.animate("center", (100.0, 100.0), 0.5)
+    assert anim2 is not None
+
+    print("  Grid animate() - PASS")
+
+def test_entity_animate():
+    """Test animate() on Entity"""
+    grid = mcrfpy.Grid(grid_size=(20, 20))
+    entity = mcrfpy.Entity(grid_pos=(5, 5), grid=grid)
+
+    # Position animation
+    anim = entity.animate("x", 10.0, 1.0)
+    assert anim is not None
+
+    anim2 = entity.animate("y", 15.0, 1.0)
+    assert anim2 is not None
+
+    # Sprite index animation
+    anim3 = entity.animate("sprite_index", 3, 0.5)
+    assert anim3 is not None
+
+    print("  Entity animate() - PASS")
+
+def test_invalid_property_raises():
+    """Test that invalid property names raise ValueError"""
+    frame = mcrfpy.Frame()
+
+    try:
+        frame.animate("invalid_property", 100.0, 1.0)
+        print("  ERROR: Should have raised ValueError for invalid property")
+        return False
+    except ValueError as e:
+        # Should contain the property name in the error message
+        if "invalid_property" in str(e):
+            print("  Invalid property detection - PASS")
+            return True
+        else:
+            print(f"  ERROR: ValueError message doesn't mention property: {e}")
+            return False
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  ERROR: Wrong exception type: {type(e).__name__}: {e}")
+        return False
+
+def test_entity_invalid_property():
+    """Test that invalid property names raise ValueError for Entity"""
+    grid = mcrfpy.Grid(grid_size=(10, 10))
+    entity = mcrfpy.Entity(grid=grid)
+
+    try:
+        entity.animate("invalid_property", 100.0, 1.0)
+        print("  ERROR: Should have raised ValueError for invalid Entity property")
+        return False
+    except ValueError as e:
+        if "invalid_property" in str(e):
+            print("  Entity invalid property detection - PASS")
+            return True
+        else:
+            print(f"  ERROR: ValueError message doesn't mention property: {e}")
+            return False
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  ERROR: Wrong exception type: {type(e).__name__}: {e}")
+        return False
+
+def test_easing_options():
+    """Test various easing parameter formats"""
+    frame = mcrfpy.Frame()
+
+    # String easing
+    anim1 = frame.animate("x", 100.0, 1.0, "easeInOut")
+    assert anim1 is not None, "String easing should work"
+
+    # Easing enum (if available)
+    try:
+        anim2 = frame.animate("x", 100.0, 1.0, mcrfpy.Easing.EaseIn)
+        assert anim2 is not None, "Enum easing should work"
+    except AttributeError:
+        pass  # Easing enum might not exist
+
+    # None for linear
+    anim3 = frame.animate("x", 100.0, 1.0, None)
+    assert anim3 is not None, "None easing (linear) should work"
+
+    print("  Easing options - PASS")
+
+def test_delta_mode():
+    """Test delta=True for relative animations"""
+    frame = mcrfpy.Frame(pos=(100, 100))
+
+    # Absolute animation (default)
+    anim1 = frame.animate("x", 200.0, 1.0, delta=False)
+    assert anim1 is not None
+
+    # Relative animation
+    anim2 = frame.animate("x", 50.0, 1.0, delta=True)
+    assert anim2 is not None
+
+    print("  Delta mode - PASS")
+
+def test_callback():
+    """Test callback parameter"""
+    frame = mcrfpy.Frame()
+    callback_called = [False]  # Use list for mutability in closure
+
+    def my_callback():
+        callback_called[0] = True
+
+    anim = frame.animate("x", 100.0, 0.01, callback=my_callback)
+    assert anim is not None, "Animation with callback should be created"
+
+    print("  Callback parameter - PASS")
+
+def run_tests():
+    """Run all tests"""
+    print("Testing .animate() shorthand method:")
+
+    all_passed = True
+
+    # Test UIDrawable types
+    try:
+        test_frame_animate()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  Frame animate() - FAIL: {e}")
+        all_passed = False
+
+    try:
+        test_caption_animate()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  Caption animate() - FAIL: {e}")
+        all_passed = False
+
+    try:
+        test_sprite_animate()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  Sprite animate() - FAIL: {e}")
+        all_passed = False
+
+    try:
+        test_grid_animate()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  Grid animate() - FAIL: {e}")
+        all_passed = False
+
+    try:
+        test_entity_animate()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  Entity animate() - FAIL: {e}")
+        all_passed = False
+
+    # Test property validation
+    if not test_invalid_property_raises():
+        all_passed = False
+
+    if not test_entity_invalid_property():
+        all_passed = False
+
+    # Test optional parameters
+    try:
+        test_easing_options()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  Easing options - FAIL: {e}")
+        all_passed = False
+
+    try:
+        test_delta_mode()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  Delta mode - FAIL: {e}")
+        all_passed = False
+
+    try:
+        test_callback()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"  Callback parameter - FAIL: {e}")
+        all_passed = False
+
+    if all_passed:
+        print("\nAll tests PASSED!")
+        sys.exit(0)
+    else:
+        print("\nSome tests FAILED!")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+# Run tests immediately (no timer needed for this test)
+run_tests()
+