Theory

Animation

Animation is the illusion of movement and life that occurs when an image or model is moved in small increments, and then viewed sequentially. Generally speaking, you need at least 10 frames per second to achieve even moderately realistic animation, and video-based animation is normally captured at 30 frames per second.


Classic Principles of Animation

The Classic principles of animation are those 12 principles which began to be formed as early as the 1930's, and which were later codified. These basic principles are useful even today, and most of them apply well to 3d animations as well as 2d animations. The classic principles are:


  • Squash and stretch
  • Anticipation
  • Staging
  • Straight ahead action and pose to pose
  • Follow through and overlapping action
  • Slow in and slow out
  • Arcs
  • Secondary action
  • Timing
  • Exaggeration
  • Solid Drawing
  • Appeal

Extended Principles of Animation

The Extended principles of animation developed as animation both matured as an artform and extended its reach into three dimensions. Some of these principles are implied in the original twelve, and some are not. This list will vary depending on who you ask.


  • Shape, form, and anatomy
  • Weight
  • Action and reaction
  • Action ahead of / behind the story
  • Perspective
  • Direction
  • Tension and relaxation
  • Depth and volume
  • Working from extreme to extreme
  • Rigging

Physics of Animation

Physics in animation decribes how the laws of Newtonian physics apply to animated characters and scenes. This is my list compiled over several years of working with college students to achieve more realistic animations.


  • Respect physical boundaries
  • Make the feet stick
  • Falling object accelerate
  • Allow for centrifugal forces
  • COG is the key to balance
  • Apply the coefficient of friction
  • Falling objects generally break, bounce, or squash

Camera Techniques in Animation

Camera Techniques discusses camera approaches that can improve the look of the animation.


  • Push the camera in the emphasize drama
  • Pull focus to emphasize background
  • Light the subject with classical lighting
  • Block moves before shooting
  • Look for good silhouettes
  • Use Dutch angle to make scenes more interesting
  • Use long shots to establish the scene

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