Frame by frame animation is created by generating a unique image or drawing for each individual frame in a sequence, playing them back quickly to create the illusion of movement.
This method is the foundation of traditional hand-drawn animation and is also used in digital animation workflows. At its core, frame-by-frame animation means that unlike techniques like motion graphics or puppet animation where elements are moved and interpolated by software, every single image you see is distinctively created or modified.
Traditional Frame by Frame Animation
The traditional approach, often referred to as cel animation, involves a detailed process of creating each frame by hand.
According to traditional methods, making a frame by frame animation is done through these key steps:
- Hand Drawing: The artist draws each frame individually, often on paper. This requires immense skill and planning to depict subtle changes in movement over time.
- Transfer to Celluloid: The drawings are then transferred to transparent sheets made of celluloid, known as "cells". This tracing process outlines the characters and objects.
- Painting: The back of the cells are painted with opaque colors within the outlines. Since the front is clear, this allows the painted characters to be visible while remaining transparent.
- Layering: Multiple cells might be used for a single frame, with different characters or parts of a character on separate cells. These cells are then layered together over a static background painting. Using multiple cells for characters and objects allows for complex scenes and reusing elements.
- Photography: The layered cells and background are placed under a camera and photographed, creating one single frame of the animation.
This process is repeated for every single frame needed for the animation. For example, 24 frames are typically required for one second of film animation.
Digital Frame by Frame Animation
In the digital realm, the same principle applies, but the tools are different. Artists draw or paint directly onto a digital canvas using software.
Key aspects of digital frame by frame:
- Digital Drawing/Painting: Using tablets and software, artists create each frame as a separate digital image layer or file.
- Layering: Similar to cells, digital layers allow separating characters, props, and backgrounds.
- Timeline: Animation software provides a timeline where each unique drawing or pose is placed on a specific frame number. Tools like "onion skinning" allow artists to see semi-transparent versions of previous and next frames to help align drawings and create smooth movement.
- Exporting: The software compiles the sequence of images into a video file or an image sequence (like a series of PNG or JPEG files), which are then played back sequentially.
Steps for Making Frame by Frame Animation (Simplified)
Whether traditional or digital, the core process involves creating a sequence of unique images.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- Plan Your Scene: Outline the action and break it down into key poses or moments.
- Create Keyframes: Draw the main poses at important points in the action.
- Draw Inbetweens: Fill in the frames between the keyframes to create smooth transitions. The number of inbetweens determines the speed and smoothness of the movement.
- Add Backgrounds: Create or place static backgrounds behind your animated elements.
- Sequence and Time: Arrange all the individual drawings or images in the correct order on a timeline, setting the duration each frame appears.
- Export/Shoot: Capture or export the frames as a sequence to be played back as a video.
| Step | Description | Tool (Traditional) | Tool (Digital) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawing/Painting | Create individual images for each moment of movement. | Paper, Pencil, Paint | Drawing Tablet, Software |
| Transfer | Move drawing to transparent medium. | Celluloid | Digital Layers, Import |
| Layering | Combine foreground elements (on cells/layers) with background. | Cells, Backgrounds | Digital Layers, Backgrounds |
| Sequencing | Arrange frames in order and set timing. | Peg Bar, Camera | Timeline in Software |
| Output | Photograph frames or export as video. | Film Camera | Export Function (Video/GIF) |
By carefully creating and sequencing each image, you build the illusion of motion, one frame at a time. This meticulous process is what defines frame by frame animation and gives it its distinctive handcrafted look.
