Animation Principles
1. Principle of Anticipation
Anticipation is used to prepare the audience for an action, and to make the action appear more realistic.
Anticipation is used to prepare the audience for an action, and to make the action appear more realistic.
2. Principle of Solid Drawing
The principle of solid drawing means taking into account forms in three dimensional space, giving them volume and weight.
The principle of solid drawing means taking into account forms in three dimensional space, giving them volume and weight.
3. Principle of Staging
Staging is used to give more information about what is going on in the scene. For example this animation shows a large cowbox stuck inside a room which has too small of a door and window to fit through, with no other exits.
Staging is used to give more information about what is going on in the scene. For example this animation shows a large cowbox stuck inside a room which has too small of a door and window to fit through, with no other exits.
4. Principle of Squash and Stretch
Squash and stretch adds a sense of weight and flexibility to objects.
Squash and stretch adds a sense of weight and flexibility to objects.
5. Principle of Arcing
Real objects normally are affected by gravity, which creates an arc. In animation this is used to create a sense of realism.
Real objects normally are affected by gravity, which creates an arc. In animation this is used to create a sense of realism.
6. Principle of Straight Ahead/Pose to Pose Animation
Straight ahead actions are drawn frame by frame from the beginning to the end. Pose to pose actions are drawn starting with a few key frames and adding in the between sections later.
Straight ahead actions are drawn frame by frame from the beginning to the end. Pose to pose actions are drawn starting with a few key frames and adding in the between sections later.
›Straight Ahead
›Pose to Pose
7. Principle of Follow Through and Overlapping Action
The follow through is when the string straightens but doesn't immediately straighten, but instead continues to wiggle for a split second. The overlapping action is how the string doesn't all move at the same rate.
The follow through is when the string straightens but doesn't immediately straighten, but instead continues to wiggle for a split second. The overlapping action is how the string doesn't all move at the same rate.
8. Principle of Secondary Action
Adding secondary actions to the main action gives a scene more life, and can help to support the main action. In this animation the windmill's blades are spinning; the secondary action is the wind blowing, which gives a reason for the windmill to be spinning.
Adding secondary actions to the main action gives a scene more life, and can help to support the main action. In this animation the windmill's blades are spinning; the secondary action is the wind blowing, which gives a reason for the windmill to be spinning.
9. Principle of Timing
Timing is the amount of frames for an action. Correct timing makes objects appear to abide to the laws of physics. The ball on the left does so, but the ball on the right speeds up halfway through the fall and then slows down again to land at the exact same time as the ball on the left.
Timing is the amount of frames for an action. Correct timing makes objects appear to abide to the laws of physics. The ball on the left does so, but the ball on the right speeds up halfway through the fall and then slows down again to land at the exact same time as the ball on the left.
10. Principle of Exaggeration
Exaggeration is just presenting reality in a more extreme form. The animation below shows a vase getting knocked off its perch and then breaking, but in a much more surreal way
Exaggeration is just presenting reality in a more extreme form. The animation below shows a vase getting knocked off its perch and then breaking, but in a much more surreal way
11. Principle of Slowing In/Out
Movement of objects take time to accelerate and decelerate. The pendulum shows an example of this by going faster when it gains momentum from gravity, and slows down when going against gravity.
Movement of objects take time to accelerate and decelerate. The pendulum shows an example of this by going faster when it gains momentum from gravity, and slows down when going against gravity.
12. Principle of Appeal
Appeal in an animated character is what we would call charisma in an actor. The character below demonstrates this by having bubbles inside the iris and an over exaggerated eye. The top hat and mustache add to this by showing he is a gentleman, and the watch shows how classy he his.
Appeal in an animated character is what we would call charisma in an actor. The character below demonstrates this by having bubbles inside the iris and an over exaggerated eye. The top hat and mustache add to this by showing he is a gentleman, and the watch shows how classy he his.