Principles of Animation (5-8)

5. FOLLOW THROUGH AND OVERLAPPING ACTION

The follow through is when the smaller parts of a subject catch up to it's main mass. Parts like long hair, coat tails, capes, long tails, etc. follow through. The overlapping action is when the smaller parts of a subject take a few frames longer to change direction after the main mass does.

6. SLOW-OUT AND SLOW-IN

Fewer frames increase speed and more frames decrease the speed. Adding extra frames at the beginning and end of an action make the action ease in and ease out, softening it and making it more life-like.

7. ARCS

Almost all actions follow a slightly circular path, especially among humans and animals. Arcs exist to give animation a more natural and fluid motion.

8. SECONDARY ACTION

The secondary action reinforces and enriches the main actions. It can further express mood.

For example if a character is angrily walking, the secondary action would be arms swinging forcefully.