7.1 Creating natural movement with follow through

Follow through in 2D animation brings characters and objects to life. It extends movement after the main action stops, creating natural flow and enhancing the illusion of weight and physics. This technique is crucial for realistic animation.

Key principles include overlapping action, drag and resistance, secondary action, and timing. These elements work together to create organic motion, establish mass, add depth, and distribute frames for a natural look in animated sequences.

Understanding Follow Through in 2D Animation

Definition of follow through

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  Types of Body Movements | Anatomy and Physiology I View original

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• Follow through extends movement after main action stops creating natural flow in body parts and objects
• Adds fluidity to movements prevents abrupt stops enhances illusion of weight and physics in animated elements
• Crucial for realistic animation brings life to characters and objects on screen

Key principles of follow through

• Overlapping action creates organic motion as different parts move at varying rates (arms vs torso)
• Drag and resistance establishes mass and flexibility slower parts lag behind faster ones (hair vs head)
• Secondary action supports main movement adds depth and complexity (cape billowing as hero lands)
• Timing and spacing distributes frames for natural look slows towards action's end (bouncing ball)

Application to body parts and objects

• Hair and fur swings or bounces based on initial motion (ponytail after quick turn)
• Loose clothing flows and settles gradually adjusting wrinkles and folds (long skirt after spin)
• Appendages move past stopping point before settling create arcs (tail wagging)
• Soft body parts jiggle or wobble after rapid movements (belly after jump)
• Inanimate objects undulate or ripple following main motion (rope swing)

Examples in professional animations

• Disney's Tangled showcases intricate hair follow through in Rapunzel's movements
• Pixar's Ratatouille demonstrates realistic tail animation on Remy the rat
• The Last of Us video game uses advanced ragdoll physics for character interactions
• Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle features exaggerated cloth animation in Howl's cape
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse employs stylized follow through in action sequences