The principles were based on the techniques used by animators at the Walt Disney Studios from the 1930s to the 1950s, who wanted to create more realistic images. The principles were not limited to a single type of character; many other kinds of characters were also created. The goal of creating a realistic animation was to make the viewer feel as though they were watching a live action movie.
Another principle of animation is the use of arcs. Objects that are not machine-animated tend to follow arcs. The arcs add realism and give animation a more realistic feel. For example, a cartoon dog might walk along a straight line. But a cartoon groundhog would run in an arc, giving it a more lifelike quality. Using arcs in an animation helps to increase realism.
Motion takes time. This is why you need more pictures near the beginning and end of an action. The more pictures you draw in the beginning and the end of the animation, the more realistic it will be. This helps emphasize the extremes of a pose while minimizing the mechanical movement. Using arcs will help you avoid mechanical motion and make the movement look more natural. It will also help you create basic staging. You can use these principles to create a great animation.
One of the most important principles of animation is timing. If you use the straight ahead method, you’ll be drawing a linear sequence from frame to frame, without any planning of the end pose. This method is more suited for animation with unpredictable elements, such as particle animations. Using arcs in animation allows you to avoid having too many frames of an object moving. You’ll also create a smoother animation if you use the pose to pose technique.
The third principle of animation focuses on movement. An animated character can move forward or backward. Inanimate objects must be able to follow these guidelines. A good animation has a well-defined character, but it must also be believable. In addition, the movement should be realistic and logical. When you make a cartoon, you should try to make the characters as likable as possible. The best way to achieve this is to incorporate these three principles in your work.
The second principle is the squash and stretch principle. Objects should be consistent in their volume to create a realistic illusion of weight and flexibility. A rubber ball will squish and stretch as it moves up and down. Similarly, a ball will squish and reposition as it hits the ground. This principle also requires a constant level of consistency in the object volume, with the stretching object being smaller than the other.