If you are an animator, then you know that the world of animation is a deep one. From the way characters move to the way they talk, everything about an animated project needs to be carefully thought out so it comes off as naturally as possible.
And when it comes to making sure that your animations are executed correctly and completely - especially in terms of following through with action sequences - there's nothing quite like practicing some old-fashioned repetition!
What is Follow Through in Animation?
Follow through is the principle of physics that states that an object will continue moving in a straight line unless acted upon by another force. It's used to create more realistic movements in animation and can be applied to any object.
To understand follow through in animation, you have to know about inertia-the tendency for any object at rest or moving at a constant speed to remain at rest or continue moving at its current speed until acted upon by an outside force. When you release something (like a baseball) from your hand, it continues moving forward until gravity pulls it down onto Earth and stops it from moving further.
In order for objects in your scene to look realistic when they're flying through space or falling down stairs, you'll want them to exhibit some form of this principle: if there's nothing else stopping them from doing so after being shot out of something like a cannonball launcher then they should keep going until something does stop them!
Why is Follow Through in Animation Important?
Follow through is one of the 12 principles of animation, and it's one that can make your work look more lifelike. When you're animating a character or object and want to create believable movement, follow through in animation is an integral part of achieving that goal. It helps you achieve realistic-looking action by making sure that each part of an object moves along with its main body as it moves through space.
For example: If you want your character to be running down a hill towards something important (like their lunch), then you'll want them to keep moving forward even after they've stopped running-their arms should still be swinging back and forth until they come to a rest in front of them at some point during this process!
This will give viewers an idea about how fast or slow they were going prior while also helping them connect with what's happening on screen because it looks familiar (I mean who hasn't tried reaching out for something while walking?).
How To Apply Follow Through in Animation
GIF by realmanjohnson via Tenor
Follow through in animation is a concept that helps the audience understand the weight and force of an action. Follow through is what happens to an object when it comes into contact with something else.
For example, if you drop a ball on the ground, it will bounce back up because of its own momentum (or "follow through"). This principle can also be applied to animation: if you want your character's arms to look like they're actually moving when they swing them around or kick something in front of them, then follow-through will help make those movements feel natural and realistic.
To apply follow through properly in your animation projects remember to be consistent with how much force your characters use throughout their actions-don't have one scene where someone punches another person hard enough so that they fly backward across a room while another time has them barely tap against someone else who then falls over from just being touched by them.
Follow Through Animation: Differentiating Between Primary And Secondary Animation
Follow through in animation is the process of adding secondary animation to your character's movement. It can be used to make a scene more realistic, but it's also an excellent tool for adding personality and charm to your animation.
For example, if you have an animal with long ears, it will move when the animal moves its head or body. In this case, the ears would be considered primary because they're moving along with their main body parts, the head, which is secondary.
Planning The Pose For Follow Through in Animation
The follow through is the action that happens between the main movement and the end of a pose. It's important to plan out your follow-through because it can make or break your animation. If you don't plan well, it will look sloppy and unprofessional.
The best way to start planning is by having references or reference images ready for both before and after your main action (or pose). If you want something like this:
GIF by Quadros Automoveis via GIPHY
Then find two images: one with just a hand holding an object, and another with just an object floating in midair without any fingers touching it at all
Follow Through in Animation in Every Part Of Your Character
GIF by Lily Padula via GIPHY
Follow through is important for every part of your character, including limbs and hair. Make sure you always have a follow-through action in mind when animating anything that moves.
For example, if you're trying to make an arm swing back and forth then you should also think about where it goes after it swings forward again. If your character is supposed to be running down a hill then their feet need some kind of action too!
Remember: Less is More With Follow Through in Animation
Animation is not about realism. It's about exaggeration and movement, which means you should only animate what needs to be animated. If you add too much detail, it can look unnatural or distracting in your animation (like when someone who doesn't know how to draw tries to draw something).
The less you animate, the more realistic it will look! Think of how real-life actors don't move their arms around too much when they talk-they keep them down at their sides or occasionally raise them up slightly during pauses in conversation. Animate in this way and watch how much better your characters come across as being alive rather than just puppets on strings!
Follow Through in Animation is Essential
GIF by Disney Princess via GIPHY
In conclusion, the follow through animation technique is an essential element of animation that can bring your characters and objects to life. By understanding the principles of follow through in animation, experimenting with different types of movements, and practicing consistently, you can master this technique and elevate your animation skills.
The key is to pay attention to the timing, spacing, and exaggeration of the movement and make adjustments as needed. With the right approach and commitment, you can execute the perfect follow-through and make your animation stand out from the crowd!
For more information about follow through in animation, as well as answers to any other questions you might have, be sure to follow our blogs, check out our free masterclass, and our Animation Business Accelerator Program, download a copy of our free marketing handbook, and check out our blog on “How to Start an Animation Studio”!
