🖌️2D Animation Unit 4 – Squash and Stretch

What is Squash and Stretch?

• Fundamental principle in animation that simulates the physical properties of flexibility and rigidity in objects and characters
• Involves the compression (squash) and extension (stretch) of an object or character's shape during movement or interaction with external forces
• Helps to convey a sense of weight, mass, and elasticity to animated elements
• Enhances the illusion of life and adds visual appeal to animations
• Originated in traditional hand-drawn animation and has been adapted to various forms of animation, including 2D, 3D, and stop-motion
• Squash and stretch can be applied to various body parts, such as the head, limbs, and torso, as well as inanimate objects
• Exaggeration is often used in squash and stretch to emphasize the effect and create a more dynamic and expressive animation

Core Principles of Squash and Stretch

• Maintains volume consistency throughout the squash and stretch process, ensuring that the object or character's overall volume remains constant
• Applies deformation along the axis of motion or force, compressing the shape in the direction of impact and elongating it in the opposite direction
• Timing plays a crucial role in squash and stretch, with the speed and duration of the deformation affecting the perceived weight and elasticity of the object or character
  • Faster squash and stretch can convey a lighter, more elastic feel, while slower deformation suggests a heavier, more solid object
• Anticipation and follow-through enhance the effect of squash and stretch by preparing the audience for the upcoming action and showing the aftermath of the deformation
• Squash and stretch should be used selectively and in moderation to maintain believability and avoid excessive distortion that may break the illusion of life
• The intensity of squash and stretch varies depending on the material properties of the object or character, with softer, more pliable elements exhibiting greater deformation than rigid ones

Applying Squash and Stretch to Characters

• Squash and stretch can be applied to various body parts to enhance expressiveness and convey emotions, such as a character's head squashing when surprised or stretching when yelling
• Facial features, such as eyes, mouth, and cheeks, can benefit from squash and stretch to create more engaging and lively expressions
  • Example: A character's eyes may stretch wide open in shock or squash when squinting in suspicion
• Limbs and torso can utilize squash and stretch to emphasize movement and force, such as arms stretching when reaching or legs compressing when landing from a jump
• Squash and stretch can help convey a character's personality and physical attributes, with more exaggerated deformation suggesting a cartoony or comedic style, while subtler application can suit more realistic characters
• Consistency in the application of squash and stretch across a character's body is essential to maintain visual coherence and believability
• Squash and stretch can be combined with other animation principles, such as anticipation, follow-through, and overlapping action, to create more dynamic and lifelike character animations

Squash and Stretch in Objects and Environment

• Inanimate objects can benefit from squash and stretch to convey their material properties and interact convincingly with characters and other elements in the scene
  • Example: A bouncing ball will squash upon impact with the ground and stretch as it rises back up
• Environmental elements, such as trees, grass, and water, can utilize squash and stretch to simulate natural movements and reactions to external forces like wind or character interaction
• Squash and stretch can help establish the scale and weight of objects in relation to characters and other elements in the scene
  • Example: A heavy boulder will exhibit less squash and stretch when interacting with a character compared to a lighter, more elastic object like a rubber ball
• Consistency in the application of squash and stretch across different objects in the same scene is crucial to maintain visual coherence and believability
• Squash and stretch can be used to create comedic or exaggerated effects in object interactions, such as a character's head leaving a temporary imprint on a wall after a collision

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Avoiding "twinning" or symmetrical squash and stretch, which can make the animation appear stiff and lifeless
  • Vary the intensity and timing of squash and stretch across different parts of the object or character to create a more organic and dynamic look
• Maintaining volume consistency is crucial to prevent the object or character from appearing to change size or mass during the squash and stretch process
  • Use guide circles or grids to help visualize and maintain consistent volume throughout the animation
• Overusing or exaggerating squash and stretch can lead to unrealistic or distracting animations that break the illusion of life
  • Be selective in the application of squash and stretch and use it in moderation to enhance the animation without overwhelming the viewer
• Failing to consider the material properties of the object or character when applying squash and stretch can result in unconvincing or inconsistent animations
  • Study real-life references and adjust the intensity and timing of squash and stretch accordingly to match the perceived material properties
• Neglecting to apply squash and stretch to secondary animation elements, such as hair, clothing, or accessories, can make the overall animation appear incomplete or disconnected
  • Incorporate squash and stretch in secondary animation to create a more cohesive and believable animated scene

Advanced Techniques and Effects

• Animators can use smear frames or multiples to create a motion blur effect, enhancing the sense of speed and emphasizing the squash and stretch of fast-moving objects or characters
• Squash and stretch can be combined with other deformation techniques, such as lattices or blend shapes, to create more complex and organic deformations
• Animators can use squash and stretch to create a sense of impact or collision by exaggerating the deformation at the point of contact and then quickly returning the object or character to its original shape
• Overlapping action can be incorporated with squash and stretch to create more fluid and natural-looking animations, especially in characters with loose clothing or flowing hair
• Squash and stretch can be used to create a sense of weight and momentum in character animations, such as a heavy character's body parts lagging behind during movement or a light character's limbs overshooting and then settling back into place
• Animators can use squash and stretch to create stylized or exaggerated effects, such as a character's eyes popping out of their head in surprise or a rubber hose-style animation with extreme, fluid deformations

Software Tools and Practical Application

• Most 2D animation software, such as Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, and TVPaint, offer tools and features to facilitate the application of squash and stretch
  • These tools may include deformers, lattices, or rigging systems that allow animators to create and control the squash and stretch of objects and characters
• Rigging characters with squash and stretch capabilities is essential for efficient animation workflows, allowing animators to focus on the performance and timing rather than manual deformation
• Using onion skinning or ghosting features in animation software can help animators visualize the progression of squash and stretch over multiple frames and ensure smooth transitions
• Animators can create custom brushes or drawing tools that incorporate squash and stretch principles to streamline the animation process and maintain consistency across frames
• Utilizing reference footage or acting out the desired movements can help animators understand the timing and intensity of squash and stretch required for a particular action or performance
• Collaborating with other animators and receiving feedback on the application of squash and stretch can help refine the animation and ensure that it effectively conveys the intended motion and emotions

Examples from Famous Animations

• Classic Disney animations, such as "Steamboat Willie" (1928) and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937), showcase early examples of squash and stretch in character animation, bringing life and personality to the characters
• Warner Bros. cartoons, like "Looney Tunes" and "Merrie Melodies," often employ exaggerated squash and stretch for comedic effect, as seen in the animations of characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Wile E. Coyote
• The "Toy Story" franchise by Pixar Animation Studios demonstrates the effective use of squash and stretch in 3D computer animation, particularly in the expressive faces and movements of the toy characters
• Japanese anime, such as "Akira" (1988) and the works of Studio Ghibli, often incorporate squash and stretch in character animations to convey emotions and emphasize action sequences
• "The Ren & Stimpy Show" (1991-1996) is known for its extreme and surreal use of squash and stretch, pushing the boundaries of traditional animation principles for comedic and shocking effect
• "Hotel Transylvania" (2012) and its sequels feature highly stylized and exaggerated squash and stretch in the character designs and animations, contributing to the films' distinct visual style and comedic tone
• "Cuphead" (2017), a video game inspired by 1930s rubber hose-style animation, showcases extensive use of squash and stretch in its character animations and gameplay, paying homage to the classic era of animation while creating a unique and challenging gaming experience