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Animation Principles - Follow Through

Follow-through refers to a short moment after the main action. It is the idea that body parts of characters or elements of animated objects might continue to move even after a motion is completed.

The Follow-Through principle is very important for increasing the quality of your animation. Adding drag and overlapping action to your animations will go far in making them look less mechanical .

The Follow-Through principle is very important for increasing the quality of your animation. Adding drag and overlapping action to your animations will go far in making them look less mechanical . Notice the red path of the ball and blue path they represent main action and follow through action respectively.
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Follow-through is the principle that a parts of the body follows the movement of another part (the leading one), with a bit of delay. From the comparison example we can understand how follow through can add to the believability of the animation.
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Follow through is principle just like other which follows the laws of physics and in this case inertia. 
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We can divide the above flag flowing in the wind in three visually different parts through which it will be easier to breakdown how follow through works.
The first part ( blue color) would lead the movement, moving first, the second ( green color) one would follow this movement, the third one ( yellow color) would follow the second one.
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This also applies when the character is acting our head moves first and others body parts follows it Head turn and talks and hairs follows.
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Notice how the person sitting inside the car reacts to the car suddenly stopping. The action of the body follows the action the of car and because of inertia the body moves but with a delay. This is how follow through action can be seen in real life.
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Overlapping action is the principle that some parts have different timing or speed compared to other parts, so they overlap the main action. The above example shows how character jumping up and down with the other parts like tail and ears has a  delay in timing which also called as offset or drag. 
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It is also called the overlapping action because it gives the feeling of overlapping or settling. Notice how the cloth marked in blue and hair marked in red follows the body but doesn't instantly stop as the body does. The cloth and hair overlaps and settles down slower than the body .
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Like the others principals add the believability in action same way follow through also enhance and adds believability to your animation.
Since mermaid don't exists but if they existed they would certainly swim like this and to make us believe, follow through plays an important role. 
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Pick and attach the feather positions on the guided marker to make proper sequence of feather movement

Know More

Know more

Page 1 - What is follow through
know more about follow through.

Principles of Animation - Follow Through and Overlapping Action

Follow-through in animation involves parts of a character or object continuing to move after the main action stops, mimicking real-world physics. This adds realism and fluidity, like a character's hair swaying after a sudden stop. It also includes secondary actions that complement the main movement, enhancing the animation's depth and believability. Follow-through is crucial for making animations dynamic and lifelike.

Page 2 - How it helps
Know more about the importance of follow through.

Follow-through in animation enhances its appeal and realism by making movements more natural and fluid, grounded in real-world physics. It adds continuity and smoothness to actions, improving the overall aesthetic and making the animation more engaging for viewers. Additionally, follow-through can be used to showcase character traits and personality, demonstrate attention to detail, and add impact to movements, contributing to a more immersive and enjoyable animation experience that resonates with the audience.

Page 3 - With vs without follow through
Animating with follow-through versus without follow-through can result in significant differences in the quality and realism of the animation. When follow-through is applied, movements appear more natural, fluid, and lifelike. For example, a character's hair continuing to sway after a sudden stop or a ball bouncing and gradually coming to rest add authenticity and depth to the animation. Without follow-through, movements may look abrupt, stiff, and lacking in realism. The absence of secondary actions or the lack of attention to detail can make the animation feel flat and less engaging. Overall, incorporating follow-through enhances the overall appeal and quality of the animation, making it more dynamic, believable, and immersive for the audience.

Page 4 - How it works
Follow-through works in animation by mimicking the principles of physics and real-world motion. When a character or object undergoes a primary action, follow-through ensures that parts of it continue moving in response to that action, gradually coming to rest or settling into a new position. This creates a sense of momentum, weight, and naturalness in the animation, as objects behave as they would in reality. By understanding the physics of motion and carefully implementing follow-through, animators add depth, realism, and fluidity to their animations, enhancing the overall quality and appeal of the final product.

Overlapping action is one of the twelve basic principles of animation

Page 5 - Where to apply
Follow-through can be implemented in animation by observing real-world movements and understanding physics. Apply it to character animation by allowing hair, clothing, and facial features to continue moving after the main action. In object animation, ensure objects follow realistic trajectories and settle naturally. Use follow-through in environmental elements for dynamic backgrounds and effects animation for realistic particle effects and interactions. Incorporate secondary actions that complement main movements without overpowering them, paying attention to timing and spacing for a natural flow of motion.

Page 6 - what is overlapping action
Overlapping action and follow-through are related but distinct concepts in animation. Overlapping action involves different parts of a character or object moving at varying rates or with different timing to create natural and dynamic movement, while follow-through specifically refers to the continuation of movement in certain parts after the main action has ceased, portraying the effects of inertia and momentum. Both principles contribute to the realism and fluidity of animations by simulating real-world physics and adding depth to movements.

Follow Through and Overlapping Action: 12 Principles of Animation.

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