A method and an apparatus for encoding/decoding key value data of a
coordinate interpolator used in a three-dimensional graphic animation are
provided. The apparatus for encoding key value data of a coordinate
interpolator representing the position of each vertex of an object using
coordinates of each of the vertices including x, y, and z components
includes a quantizer, which quantizes a coordinate interpolator input
there into with predetermined quantization bits, a DPCM processor, which
performs a DPCM operation of a predetermined mode on each component of
each vertex of the quantized coordinate interpolator and generates
differential data based on the temporal variation of the coordinates of
each of the vertices and differential data based on the spatial variation
of the coordinates of each of the vertices.