How to create basic animations in any software

You will learn the universal principles of animation applicable to any digital or traditional platform. This tutorial is designed to guide you through the fascinating process of creating animations from scratch, using tools like FlipaClip, Adobe Animate, and Toon Boom.

You will learn not only how to handle the software, but also how to apply the fundamental principles of animation to bring your creations to life. Whether you are a beginner looking to understand the basics or a more experienced animator looking to refine your skills, this tutorial will provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary to start animating with confidence and creativity.

Get ready to transform simple drawings into moving stories that will captivate any audience!

Introduction to digital animation

Animation is not limited to a single software. Tools like FlipaClip, Adobe Animate, and Toon Boom offer diverse functionalities to bring your creations to life. This tutorial will guide you through the basic principles of animation, which are fundamental regardless of the tool you choose.

Choosing the animation software

Before you begin, it is crucial to select the software that best suits your needs. Here we briefly analyse some popular options:

• FlipaClip: Ideal for beginners due to its intuitive interface and compatibility with mobile devices.
• Adobe Animate: Perfect for more advanced animators who seek professional tools and multi-format export.
• Toon Boom: Widely used in the industry for complex animations and large-scale projects.

Comparative table of the 3 Apps

Consider which tool best aligns with your learning and project goals before proceeding:

Project setup

To set up your project, follow these steps:

Creating a new project in FlipaClip

1. Open the Application: Launch FlipaClip on your mobile device.
2. Create New Project: Tap the ‘+’ icon to start a new project.
3. Name the Project: Give it a descriptive name that reflects its content or purpose.
4. Set Up the Canvas: Choose the canvas size, such as HD (1280x720) or Full HD (1920x1080).
5. Set the FPS: Adjust the frames per second according to the desired smoothness of the animation.

Adobe Animate

To start a project in Adobe Animate, follow these steps:

1. Launch Adobe Animate: Open the program on your computer.
2. Select ‘New Project’: Click on ‘File’ and then ‘New’ to start a fresh project.
3. Set Document Properties: Adjust the canvas dimensions, resolution, and FPS.
4. Choose the Content Type: Decide whether to work with vectors or pixels, depending on your needs.

Toon Boom

Setting up a project in Toon Boom involves these steps:

1. Launch Toon Boom: Open Toon Boom Studio on your computer.
2. Create a New Project: In the ‘File’ menu, select ‘New’.
3. Detail Project Properties: Configure the stage dimensions, resolution, and FPS.
4. Prepare Animation Elements: Organise resources, such as characters and backgrounds, into independent layers to facilitate animation.

Setting up tools and brushes in animation software

Adjust your tools according to the type of animation you want to create:

FlipaClip

Setting up tools and brushes in FlipaClip:

• Brushes: Access different types of brushes like the pencil, brush, and marker. Adjust the thickness and opacity from the toolbar.
• Eraser: Use the eraser to make corrections. You can adjust the size and hardness of the eraser from the settings options.
• Colour Picker: Choose colours directly from the palette or use the eyedropper to select colours from the canvas.

Adobe Animate

Setting up tools and brushes in Adobe Animate:

• Drawing Tools: Use tools like Pencil, Brush, and Pen to create precise vectors or freeform strokes.
• Properties Panel: Customise the brush properties, including size, shape, angle, and scatter for specific effects.
• Paint Tool: Paint specific areas with the Paint Bucket or use the Gradient tool for advanced colour effects.

Toon Boom

Setting up tools and brushes in Toon Boom:

• Vector and Bitmap Brushes: Choose between vector brushes for sharp lines or bitmap brushes for a more textured finish.
• Advanced Brush Settings: Adjust brush properties like texture, pressure, and tilt in the advanced settings.
• Colour Palette: Create and manage custom colour palettes to maintain consistency in your animation projects.

Basic principles of animation

Understanding fundamental principles like squash and stretch, timing, and anticipation will help you create more realistic and appealing animations. Apply these principles in each frame to capture natural movement.

Step-by-step: Creating a jump animation

1. Frame 1: Draw the initial resting pose of the character.
2. Frame 2: Apply the anticipation principle, preparing the jump with a slight bend.
3. Frames 3-5: Execute the jump with a progressive upward movement, using squash to exaggerate the action.
4. Frame 6: At the highest point, use stretch to elongate the character, highlighting the achieved height.
5. Frames 7-10: Begin the descent with a smooth transition, maintaining consistency in the character's volume and proportions.

Review and adjustments

Once the animation is complete, it is crucial to review it in a loop. Adjust the frames to ensure that the animation flows coherently and without interruptions. Use this phase to refine details and improve the overall quality of the animation.