7.1 Creating natural movement with follow through
2 min read•july 25, 2024
in 2D animation brings characters and objects to life. It extends movement after the main action stops, creating and enhancing the and physics. This technique is crucial for realistic animation.
Key principles include , , , and . These elements work together to create , establish , add , and distribute frames for a natural look in animated sequences.
Understanding Follow Through in 2D Animation
Definition of follow through
Top images from around the web for Definition of follow through
Types of Body Movements | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
Cycle de Marche - Synfig Animation Studio View original
Is this image relevant?
Traditional animation - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Types of Body Movements | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
Cycle de Marche - Synfig Animation Studio View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Definition of follow through
Types of Body Movements | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
Cycle de Marche - Synfig Animation Studio View original
Is this image relevant?
Traditional animation - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Types of Body Movements | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
Cycle de Marche - Synfig Animation Studio View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Follow through extends movement after main action stops creating natural flow in body parts and objects
- Adds to movements prevents enhances illusion of weight and physics in animated elements
- Crucial for realistic animation brings life to characters and objects on screen
Key principles of follow through
- Overlapping action creates organic motion as different parts move at varying rates (arms vs torso)
- Drag and resistance establishes mass and flexibility slower parts lag behind faster ones (hair vs head)
- Secondary action supports main movement adds depth and complexity (cape billowing as hero lands)
- Timing and distributes frames for natural look slows towards action's end ()
Application to body parts and objects
- Hair and fur swings or bounces based on initial motion (ponytail after quick turn)
- Loose clothing flows and settles gradually adjusting wrinkles and folds (long skirt after spin)
- move past stopping point before settling create (tail wagging)
- Soft body parts or after rapid movements (belly after jump)
- Inanimate objects or ripple following main motion (rope swing)
Examples in professional animations
- Disney's Tangled showcases intricate hair follow through in Rapunzel's movements
- Pixar's Ratatouille demonstrates realistic tail animation on Remy the rat
- The Last of Us video game uses advanced ragdoll physics for character interactions
- Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle features exaggerated cloth animation in Howl's cape
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse employs in action sequences
Key Terms to Review (21)
Abrupt stops: Abrupt stops refer to sudden halts in movement, which can create a jarring effect that disrupts the natural flow of animation. These stops can emphasize certain actions or reactions, highlighting key moments in a scene. While they can add dramatic tension or surprise, they often need to be balanced with other techniques like follow-through to maintain the illusion of realism in animation.
Appendages: Appendages are additional structures or parts that extend from the main body of an object or character, contributing to movement and functionality. In animation, understanding appendages is crucial for creating believable motion, as they often react to the movement of the character’s main body through principles like follow through and overlapping action, making the animation feel more natural and fluid.
Arcs: In animation, arcs refer to the natural curved paths that objects follow when they move, adding realism and fluidity to motion. This concept helps in creating believable animations by mimicking how real-world objects and characters move, which enhances the overall appeal and effectiveness of animated sequences.
Bouncing Ball: A bouncing ball is a classic animation exercise that demonstrates principles of motion and timing by showing how a ball moves as it falls, hits the ground, and rebounds back into the air. This simple action incorporates key features of animation such as follow through, where the ball continues moving after it hits the ground, and slow in and slow out, which refers to how the speed of the ball changes as it accelerates downwards and decelerates when bouncing back up. Mastering this movement helps animators create more realistic and engaging animations.
Depth: Depth refers to the perception of distance within a two-dimensional space, creating the illusion of three-dimensionality. It enhances the visual storytelling in animation by adding layers and context, making scenes feel more immersive. By effectively using depth, animators can guide viewers' focus, convey emotions, and create a sense of realism in movement and environments.
Drag and Resistance: Drag and resistance refer to the forces that oppose motion in animation, contributing to the realism and believability of movement. Understanding these forces is crucial for creating natural movement, as they help to simulate how objects react when pushed or pulled, emphasizing the weight and inertia of animated characters and elements. By effectively incorporating drag and resistance, animators can create a more dynamic and engaging experience for the audience.
Fluidity: Fluidity in animation refers to the smooth and natural movement of characters or objects, creating a sense of life and realism in their actions. This concept emphasizes the seamless transitions between poses and motions, allowing animations to feel cohesive and believable. Achieving fluidity is essential for drawing audiences into the story, as it enhances the overall viewing experience by making movements appear effortless and organic.
Follow Through: Follow through refers to the principle in animation where parts of a character or object continue to move after the main action has stopped. This creates a sense of realism and adds depth to animations, making movements appear more natural. It connects closely with other principles and techniques to enhance the overall fluidity and believability of animated sequences.
Illusion of weight: The illusion of weight refers to the perceived heaviness or lightness of an object in animation, which is conveyed through the use of movement, timing, and spacing. This concept helps create a sense of realism, as it makes animated characters and objects feel more believable and grounded in their environment. Understanding this illusion is crucial for animators to effectively portray dynamics and physicality in their work.
Intricate animation: Intricate animation refers to a complex and detailed style of animation that showcases meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design choices. This kind of animation often incorporates nuanced movement, elaborate character designs, and carefully orchestrated visual elements that contribute to a rich storytelling experience. It emphasizes the beauty of motion, requiring animators to pay attention to every small detail, resulting in a visually stunning and engaging final product.
Jiggle: Jiggle refers to a quick, slight movement or shake that adds a sense of realism and liveliness to animated characters or objects. This subtle motion is often used to enhance the perception of weight and impact, making animations feel more dynamic and engaging. By incorporating jiggle into movement, animators can create a more natural flow, especially when it comes to follow-through actions, where parts of a character continue to move after the main action has stopped.
Mass: Mass refers to the perceived weight or density of an object in animation, influencing how it interacts with its environment. It affects how an animated character moves, reacts to forces, and the overall believability of its actions. Understanding mass helps animators create more lifelike movements and dynamics, contributing to the flexibility, follow-through, and smooth transitions of characters or objects in motion.
Natural Flow: Natural flow refers to the smooth and realistic movement that mimics how objects and characters behave in the real world. This concept is crucial in animation, where capturing the subtleties of motion enhances believability. Natural flow involves a combination of timing, spacing, and the principles of animation, such as easing in and out, which creates a seamless connection between key poses and enhances overall fluidity.
Organic Motion: Organic motion refers to the natural and fluid movement that mimics the way living beings move, characterized by a sense of weight, gravity, and life. This type of motion enhances animation by making characters and objects feel more believable and relatable, as it captures the subtle nuances of living organisms in motion, such as follow-through and overlapping action.
Overlapping action: Overlapping action refers to the animation technique where different parts of a character or object move at different rates, creating a more realistic and fluid motion. This principle enhances the believability of movement by ensuring that not all elements of a character or object follow the same timing, which helps to convey weight, flexibility, and natural behavior.
Secondary Action: Secondary action refers to the additional movements that complement and enhance the main action of a character or object in animation, adding depth and realism. This concept helps to create a more believable portrayal of motion by showing how various parts of a character respond naturally to the primary action, thus enriching the overall performance and engagement of the audience.
Spacing: Spacing refers to the distance between frames or key poses in animation that affects the timing and flow of movement. It plays a crucial role in conveying the speed, weight, and overall feel of an animated action, helping to create a more engaging and believable animation.
Stylized follow through: Stylized follow through refers to the exaggerated or artistic extension of movement that occurs after the primary action is completed, adding a layer of visual interest and fluidity to animation. This technique emphasizes the connection between different parts of a character or object, creating a more dynamic and engaging movement while enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. By using stylization, animators can express emotions or themes more effectively, making the animation feel alive and impactful.
Timing: Timing in animation refers to the placement and duration of frames that define the motion and emotional impact of animated sequences. It affects how viewers perceive speed, weight, and realism in animation, connecting directly with principles that enhance storytelling and character expression.
Undulate: Undulate refers to a smooth, wave-like motion or movement that occurs in an object or figure. This term is crucial in animation, as it helps create the illusion of life and natural movement, emphasizing how parts of a character or object follow through with one another after an action. When animators depict undulation, they can enhance the fluidity and realism of movements, making them more visually engaging.
Wobble: Wobble refers to the subtle, often exaggerated movements that occur in animation, creating a sense of weight and liveliness in characters or objects. This technique adds a layer of realism and helps convey the effects of gravity and momentum, enhancing the overall impact of an animated sequence. It plays a crucial role in making movements feel natural and dynamic by allowing elements to respond to forces and changes in motion.