12 Principles of Animation

• The 12 principles of animation, created by Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, are fundamental to traditional animation and apply to 3D animation.
• The principles, including squash and stretch, timing and spacing, anticipation, and follow-through, are a foundation for creating lifelike, engaging, and dynamic animations.
• These principles can guide the creation of movements that mimic natural physics, evoke emotion, and improve storytelling.
• The 12 principles ensure animations appear polished and immersive, whether creating a bouncing ball or a complex character.
• The 12 principles of animation are essential for creating believable and engaging motion by adding depth, realism, and personality to 3D animation.

Squash and Stretch

• It makes objects appear alive by showing their flexibility and weight.
• A bouncing ball squashes upon hitting the ground and stretches as it moves upward.
• Facial expressions, such as puffed-out cheeks or a mouth stretching during a smile, also reflect squash and stretch.

Anticipation

• It builds excitement for an upcoming event.
• For example, Iron Man crouching before blasting into the sky signifies something big is about to happen.
• 3D animation uses timelines and curves to fine-tune moments for dramatic or funny effects.

Staging

• It involves presenting a scene clearly, similar to setting the stage for a play
• For example, to show the theme of chaos use cluttered objects and dark skies.
• In 3D animation, every detail of the scene is controlled, from character gestures to the environment, to help the story stand out

Straight-Ahead Action and Pose-to-Pose

• Straight-ahead action involves animating frame by frame from start to finish, which creates dynamic, spontaneous movements.
• Pose-to-pose involves planning key poses first, then filling in the transitions; this is common in 3D animation because the computer handles the in-between movements automatically.

Follow-Through and Overlapping Action

• It adds realism to animations.
• Follow-through refers to when a character stops moving, but parts such as their hair continue to sway.
• Overlapping action occurs when different parts move at varying speeds, like a turning head while an arm moves.

Slow-In and Slow-Out

• Almost nothing starts or stops instantly, so a car begins slowly, speeds up, then slows down before stopping
• This principle adds realism to the motion
• Fast-in and fast-out is a reversed version often used in commercials for dramatic effects.

Arcs

• Natural movements follow arcs, not straight lines.
• A ball tossed in the air forms a curved path
• Arcs make animations fluid, while straight-line motions are better for robots or mechanical characters.

Secondary Action

• They are small details that support the main action.
• A character sipping coffee might have their hair blowing in the wind or their foot tapping.
• Secondary actions add depth and personality to animation.

Timing

• Timing controls the speed of actions.
• A large ship moves slowly, whereas a small boat moves quickly.
• It sets the rhythm and mood of animation to make it believable and engaging.

Exaggeration

• It enhances a character or action by making it more dramatic or fun.
• A big stretch during a yawn or an oversized frown adds personality and makes scenes more memorable.

Solid Drawing (or Solid Modeling)

• It focuses on making characters feel three-dimensional and grounded.
• In 3D animation, creating solid models with weight, depth, and balance helps make movements look natural.

Appeal

• It is about designing characters that captivate the audience.
• Not just about heroes, villains can be appealing.
• Features, clothing, and expressions all contribute to making a character memorable and engaging.