Subject Name : Animation Principles and Design

Subject Code :3154902

Professional Elective - I
 UNIT-1

Animation Principles
Introduction
 Introduction to animation:
• Animation is the process of designing, drawing, making layout and preparation of photographic
sequences which are integrated in the multimedia and gaming products.
• Computer animation now allows for highly realistic 2D and 3D animated films by enhancing and
making hand-drawn characters appear more real.
• Animation is the art of creating moving images. It's the process of bringing ideas and characters to
life through a sequence of illustrations or computer-generated imagery. When these images are
shown rapidly in succession, they create the illusion of movement.
• Traditionally, animation involved painstakingly hand-drawing or painting individual frames of an
image. These frames would then be photographed one at a time, in slightly varying positions, to
create the illusion of movement when played back at a certain speed.
• Today, most animation is created using computers. This allows animators to create more complex
and detailed images, as well as to move and manipulate them more easily. However, traditional
hand-drawn animation is still used in some films and television shows, and it is still a popular art
form.
Cont…
• Animation is about creating illusion. It is the art of makingstill drawings to appear move on film.
Nothing is real,nothing exists as it does in drama- yet we are able torelate to animation characters
as if they were real, and wecan believe the world where these characters live
Types of animation
There are many different types of animation, including:
1. Traditional animation
2. 2D animation (vector-based)
3. 3D animation
4. Stop motion animation
5. Motion graphics
Traditional animation (also called cel animation or hand-drawn animation)
• This is the oldest and most well-known type of animation. It involves drawing or painting
individual frames of an image by hand.

• Examples
• Some of the most beloved animated classics were created using traditional animation techniques:
• Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
• Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies
• Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away
2D animation (vector-based)

• Two dimensional Animation & same as traditional animation

• This type of animation creates the illusion of depth on a flat plane. It can be done
using traditional animation techniques, or it can be created using computers.
• It is widely use for creating animated for the movies, cartoons, marketing, videos,
advertisement, corporate presentations and so much more.
What do 2D animator?

- Character design and creation.

- Implementation of digital animation and video.
- Creation of stop motion and web animation.
- A Verity of designs with the use of life drawing techniques.
Advantages & Disadvantages
• Lower Production cost
• Quick and save time
• Simple and less complex
• Basic controls –
• More focus on game play
DISADVANTAGES:
It can be boring
Less demand
3D animation

• 3D animation is the next evolutionary step after 2D animation, using software to generate
characters, environments, props, and sets in a virtual, three-dimensional space.
• This type of animation creates images that appear to have three dimensions (width, height, and
depth). It is created using computers.
• Both 2D and 3D character animation focus on the fundamental principles of animation.
Stop motion animation

• This type of animation involves moving objects one frame at a time, creating the
illusion of movement when the frames are played back. Stop motion animation
can be used with a variety of objects, including puppets, clay, and paper cutouts.
• Stop motion is at animated film making technique in which objects are physically
manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so
that they will appear to exhibit independent motion when the series of frame
played back.
Motion graphics

• This type of animation is often used to create explainer videos, product demonstrations, and
other types of visual content. It can also be used to create motion typography, which is text that
appears to move.
• Motion graphic are the way to communicate with the viewer and add depth to story, together
with the effective copy, they can give us a message. We use them to create ads, title sequence for
movies, videos and to share the information.
Heritage of
Animation
Early Beginnings
1
The roots of animation can be traced back to the 19th century, with the
invention of devices like the Zoetrope and Phenakistoscope, which created
the illusion of movement through a series of sequential images.

Golden Age of
2
Animation
In the 1930s and 1940s, the Walt Disney Studios revolutionized the industry,
introducing iconic characters, groundbreaking animation techniques, and
the first full-length animated feature films.

Digital Revolution
3
The advent of computer-generated imagery (CGI) in the 1970s and 1980s
ushered in a new era of digital animation, allowing for greater creative
freedom, realistic 3D environments, and seamless integration of live-action
and animated elements.
Dawn of Digital Animation
The term "Dawn of Digital Animation" typically refers to the period when computer technology
began to significantly impact the creation of animated content. This era marked a pivotal shift
from traditional animation techniques to digital methods, opening up new possibilities for storytelling
and visual expression.

Key Milestones in Digital Animation

• While the exact timeline can vary depending on specific applications, here are some significant
milestones:

The Dawn of animation is traditional techniques like: frame by frame animation, cel animation,
Rotoscoping- trace real – life movement, The transition to Digital Animation, 2D digital animation and
3D animation.
 Cont…
Impact of Digital Animation
The dawn of digital animation had a profound impact on the industry and beyond:

•Enhanced Creativity: Digital tools provided animators with unprecedented freedom to experiment
with form, color, and movement.

•Increased Efficiency: Computer-aided animation streamlined production processes, reducing costs

and turnaround times.

•New Possibilities: Digital animation opened up new genres and storytelling possibilities, such as
motion graphics, visual effects, and virtual reality experiences.

•Accessibility: The democratization of animation tools made it possible for individuals and small
studios to create high-quality animated content.
Cont…

From Then to Now

The animation industry has continued to evolve rapidly since the dawn of digital animation.

Advancements in technology, such as motion capture, real-time rendering, and artificial intelligence,
have pushed the boundaries of what is possible.
Understanding Animation Principles

• Introduce the concept of animation principles and their role in creating believable animation

1 Squash and Stretch

2 Anticipation 9 Timing
3 Staging 10 Exaggeration
4 Straight Ahead and Pose to Pose 11 Solid Drawing
5 Follow Through and Overlapping Action 12 Appeal
6 Slow In and Slow Out 13 Mass and Weight
7 Arcs
8 Secondary Action
CONT…
• Principles of Animation and Properties of Matter
• The 12 principles of animation, formulated by Disney animators, offer a framework for creating believable
movement. Understanding the properties of matter helps apply these principles effectively.
• Squash and stretch: Exaggerates the elasticity of objects, reflecting their material properties.
• Timing: Determines the speed of an object based on its weight and density.
• Ease in and ease out: Mimics the acceleration and deceleration of objects, considering their mass and friction.
• Arc: Creates natural movement paths, influenced by gravity and the object's weight.
• Secondary action: Adds subtle details to enhance the primary action, considering the object's material
properties.
• Exaggeration: Emphasizes specific characteristics of an object, based on its material properties.
• Solid drawing: Gives objects weight and volume, respecting their physical form.
• Appeal: Creates engaging characters by understanding their physicality and interactions with their environment.
Properties of Matter
Understanding the properties of matter is crucial for creating believable and
engaging animations.
• Matter exists in three primary states: solid, liquid, and gas
• Each state exhibits unique characteristics that directly influence how they are
animated.
• Solids: Have a definite shape and volume.
•Animation: Used for objects like rocks, buildings, and characters.
•Key properties to consider: Rigidity, weight, inertia, and friction.
•Animation techniques: Keyframing, squash and stretch, follow through, and overlapping action
•are essential.
CONT…

Liquids: Have a definite volume but no definite shape.

•Gases: Have neither a definite shape nor volume.

• Animation: Used for smoke, fire, and other gaseous substances.
• Key properties to consider: Density, pressure, and temperature.
•Animation techniques: Particle systems, turbulence, and diffusion are essential.
Making use of the wave principle
• The wave principle in animation refers to a fundamental concept in
creating natural and fluid movement. It involves the application of curved lines or
arcs to define the path of an object's motion. This technique is crucial for bringing
characters and objects to life, making them appear more realistic and engaging.

• Core Concepts
• Arcs: Most natural movements follow curved paths, not straight lines.
• Overlap: Different parts of an object or character move at different speeds,
creating a sense of depth and dimension.
• Follow-through and Overlapping Action: These principles work in tandem with
the wave principle to create dynamic and believable motion.
Delayed secondary action, speed, weight, tendency of weight
to move in a certain way
Principles of Timing
• Timing refers to the time it takes for an action to complete from the starting point to the end.

• It is used to add movement (while obeying the laws of physics) and interest to your animations.

• This can be done with the help of weight, scaling properties, and the personality of the
movements of the character.

• Timing has a huge role to play in how your animation will look like.

• If your timing is really fast or slow, too linear or too long, chances are your animation will end up
looking unrealistic.

• In the entertainment industry now, films are played at 24 frames per second (FPS).

• This means that for an object that is in motion from point A to another point B at 24 FPS, it will
take one second to complete the journey.
Uses of Timing in Animation
• In animation, timing is used to show three things, these are weight, scaling properties,
and the emotions of a character.
• The weight of different objects can be shown by altering their timings.
• the scaling properties of objects can be shown by how fast or slow they move.
• E.g., heavier objects will move slower on-screen, and lighter objects will move faster.
• motion can be displayed by the speed at which a character’s movements take place.
• An excited character will move faster whereas a character that is lazy or sad will tend to
move slower.
• Timing is essential to the development of animation. Story development, gags, reactions
and character development all depend on a clear sense of timing in order to be
effective.
• ”Timing” refers to the number of frames or drawings in a particular action. So it also
determines the speed of the action.
• When you increase the number of drawings between two extreme drawings, the action
will be slow and run for a longer time; and when the number of drawings in between
the extremes is fewer, the action will be faster and would take less time.
 Understanding the basic unit of time in animation
• Timing Animation. Timing refers to how long an action takes. If the timing is too fast, too
slow, too linear, or too long, your animation won't look realistic. Since film is run at 24
frames per second (FPS), you use this as the building block for your timing
• The frame is the fundamental unit of time in animation.
• Frame Rate: The Pace of Animation
• The speed at which these frames are displayed is called the frame rate. It's measured in frames
per second (FPS).

Standard film: 24 FPS

Television: Typically 29.97 FPS (NTSC) or 25 FPS (PAL)
Video games: Can vary widely, from 30 FPS to 120 FPS or even higher
Timing and Animation
• timing in animation refers to the number of frames between two
poses. It directly impacts the perceived speed and weight of an object
or character.
• More frames between poses = slower movement.
• Fewer frames between poses = faster movement.
Spacing Animation

• Spacing is basically the space between frames, and spacing in

animation refers to where an object is at in each frame of an
animation through frames 2-23.
• Depending on where you position the object within each of
those 23 frames, you can give the illusion of constant speed,
acceleration, deceleration, and stopping.
 How to Implement Spacing Into an Animation
• There are four basic styles of spacing you can implement in your
animation:

1. Linear Spacing: Frames are spaced an equal distance apart. This shows a
constant velocity.
2. Ease Out Spacing: Frames are spaced close together at the beginning and
further apart at the end. This shows acceleration.
3. Ease In Spacing: Frames are spaced far apart at the beginning and closer
together at the end. This shows deceleration or a stop.
4. Easy Ease Spacing: Frames are placed closer together at the beginning
and end, but are spaced further apart in the middle. This shows both
acceleration and deceleration.