Frame by Frame Animation in Photoshop



        Following on from our Flip Book study task, we were asked to use the skills we had learnt to create 3 short frame by frame animations using Photoshop. Once again the key principles of animation that we should have been taking into consideration were the use of squashing and stretching, as well as timing and spacing.

 

        As a rigid object, a pendulum would not squash and stretch as it moves through the air. However, the use of spacing and timing is critical to create the correct swing speed. By adding more frames at the highest points on the pendulum's arc, it appears to slow as though through the effects of gravity, while fewer frames and larger gaps towards the centre of the arc creates the illusion of speed and a gain in momentum.

         A bouncing ball on the other hand, will squash upon impact with the ground, and stretch as it moves quickly through the air. The more the ball stretches, the more elastic and springy it will appear. As with the pendulum, the ball needs to slow as it reaches the highest peak of its path (slow in and slow out) and speed up as it falls, so that it appears to be governed by gravity, rather than merely floating. To make this ball bounce as smoothly as the pendulum swings, I could increase the 12 frames that I used.

       This final animation is a combines the movement in an arc with squashing and stretching. It was more challenging than either the pendulum or the simple ball bounce, as it required me to consider the length of each arc/bounce and how many frames each should take, in conjunction with the changing ball shape.

        These tasks also provided me with an opportunity to experiment with a graphics tablet for the first time. While I admit I did find it tricky to get used to, not to mention frustrating at times, it is far more easy than drawing using a mouse and I can see that it will be a valuable tool for later digital work.