Learning 2D Animation Principles

Learn the basic principles of animation to build characters that interact naturally with their environments, convey realistic emotion, and talk and walk convincingly.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Using the exercise files

1. Design

• Understanding appeal and design
• Comparing body types
• Understanding silhouette
• Creating gesture drawings
• Tying down the drawing

2. Staging, Storyboard, and Layout

• Comparing storyboard styles
• Understanding shot composition
• Demonstrating lighting
• Understanding the 180-degree line

3. Technical Issues

• Understanding X-sheets (dope sheets)
• Comparing frame rates
• Creating sweatbox notes and preparation

4. Animated Physics

• Understanding arcs
• Squash, stretch, and volume
• Comparing timing and spacing

5. Anticipation, Overshoot, and Settle

• Using anticipation, overshoot, and settle
• Breaking and loosening joints
• Leading action

6. Drag, Overlap, and Follow-Through

• Understanding primary and secondary action
• Using overlap and follow-through
• Applying lines of action, reversals, and S-curves
• Moving holds and idles

7. Walks and Runs

• Understanding walk and run cycles
• Creating eccentric walks
• Animal locomotion

8. Dialogue

• Finding dialogue accents
• Creating dialogue through body movement
• Creating stock mouth shapes
• Using complementary shapes

9. Thumbnails, Acting, and Animating

• Creating thumbnails
• Comparing straight-ahead and pose-to-pose animation
• Adding breakdowns for looseness

Conclusion

• Next steps