can anyone tell me where to put in my smil animation code?

Hi, I'm just a learner, like you.
Try Google: SVG SMIL
It might get you started

I'm pretty sure I saw something about smil in the INkscape Wiki (access from inkscape.org).

astradamasta wrote:can anyone tell me where to put in my smil animation code?

smil by it's own virtue/definition is the animate etc statements inline with the svg. i.e. part of the svg standard. but you will have to use an appropriate svg viewer or svg enabled browser to see the animation. i think inkscape will not show it, as it's an editor for svg and not really a viewer.