Tutorial: Creating Animations

Learn how to create frame-by-frame animations in ASCII Motion. This tutorial covers animation basics, timing, and workflow techniques.

What You'll Learn

• Frame-by-frame animation concepts
• Using the timeline effectively
• Creating smooth motion
• Timing and pacing
• Looping animations

Prerequisites

• Complete Pixel Art Basics
• Understand the Animation system
• Familiarity with Onion Skinning

Animation Fundamentals

Frames and Timing

Animation is a series of still images (frames) shown in sequence:

The 12 Principles (Simplified)

Key animation principles that apply to ASCII:

1. Timing - Spacing determines speed
2. Ease in/out - Motion starts slow, speeds up, slows down
3. Anticipation - Wind up before action
4. Follow-through - Motion continues after action
5. Squash and stretch - Objects compress and expand

Your First Animation: Bouncing Ball

Let's create a classic bouncing ball animation:

Step 1: Plan Your Animation

Step 2: Set Up

Step 3: Draw Key Frames

Key frames define the main poses:

Step 4: Enable Onion Skinning

Step 5: Add In-Between Frames

Fill in the gaps:

Step 6: Add Squash and Stretch

At the bottom of the bounce:

• Squash: Ball is wide and short when hitting ground
• Stretch: Ball is tall and narrow when moving fast

Step 7: Test and Refine

Workflow Techniques

Multi-Frame Selection

For batch operations:

Copying Between Frames

Reuse elements across frames:

Using Frame Duplication

For held poses or slow motion:

Creating Smooth Motion

Even Spacing = Constant Speed

Frame 1:  ○
Frame 2:    ○
Frame 3:      ○
Frame 4:        ○
Frame 5:          ○

Equal gaps between positions = smooth, constant motion.

Acceleration (Ease Out)

Frame 1:  ○
Frame 2:  ○
Frame 3:   ○
Frame 4:     ○
Frame 5:        ○

Small gaps → large gaps = speeding up.

Deceleration (Ease In)

Frame 1:  ○
Frame 2:       ○
Frame 3:          ○
Frame 4:           ○
Frame 5:            ○

Large gaps → small gaps = slowing down.

Loop Types

Perfect Loop

End frame connects smoothly to start frame:

Creating Back-and-Forth Motion

For animations that appear to play forward then backward:

• Create frames for the full forward motion
• Duplicate the frames in reverse order (excluding first and last to avoid stutters)
• Result plays as a natural back-and-forth cycle

Practice Exercise: Walking Character

Create a simple walk cycle:

Common Animation Mistakes

Floating

❌ Characters appear to slide instead of walk ✅ Ensure feet contact the ground properly

Twinning

❌ Both arms/legs move identically ✅ Offset limbs for natural motion

Linear Motion

❌ Everything moves at constant speed ✅ Add ease in/out for natural movement

Too Many Frames

❌ Over-animating simple motions ✅ Start simple, add frames only if needed

Tips for Better Animations

Planning

• Sketch your animation on paper first
• Decide key poses before starting
• Consider the total number of frames needed

Timing

• Test early and often
• Watch at full speed, not just frame-by-frame
• Adjust duration of individual frames for emphasis

Refinement

• Use onion skinning constantly
• Make small adjustments incrementally
• Save versions before major changes

Next Steps

Now that you can animate:

1. Practice with different subjects
2. Learn effects in Advanced Effects
3. Export your animations as Video or GIF
4. Experiment with more complex cycles

Quick Reference