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Animation Principles - Timing and Spacing

The number of drawings used in any action determines the amount of time that action will take on the screen, which is the timing for that particular action.
Timing provides meaning to the character and it help us to understand what kind of character it is. Drawings spaced far away from each other makes the action look fast and drawings spaced closer to each other makes the actin look slow. Click the button below to play/pause the animation.


Timing play a very crucial role in establishing a character's nature, personality, mood and emotion. Click the buttons below to change the timing of the character.


Standard favourite for animation is 24 frame per second, which means 24 drawing per second. If one drawing is made for each frame which 24 drawings per second is called drawing on ones.
Similarly if one drawing is done for two frames that will be called drawing on twos and same goes for threes. Click the button below to change the animation from ones, twos and threes and observe how the animtion changes.
Spacing is basically the space between frames, and spacing in animation refers to where an object is at in each frame of an animation timeline.
Depending on where you position the frame within the timeline, you can give the illusion of constant speed, acceleration, deceleration, and stopping. Spacing provides a movement that obeys the law of physics and adds interest and appeal to the animation.
Drawings done in ones and then spaced close to each other results in a slower timing. Click the button below to play/pause the animation.
Drawings done in ones and then spaced close to each other results in a slower timing. Click the button below to play/pause the animation.
On the other hand  fast action can be achieved by drawing in twos and spacing the drawings far away from each other. Click the button below to play/pause the animation.
On the other hand  fast action can be achieved by drawing in twos and spacing the drawings far away from each other. Click the button below to play/pause the animation.
Spacing – the closer the drawings are to each other, the slower the movement appears. On the other hand, wider the spacing between drawings, the quicker it looks.
Spacing – the closer the drawings are to each other, the slower the movement appears. On the other hand, wider the spacing between drawings, the quicker it looks.

Pick and drop positions in a sequence to form head movement action

Pick and drop positions in a sequence to form head movement action


Know More

Know more

Page 1 - What is timing
In animation, "timing" is the number of frames used for an action, controlling how fast or slow it appears. Quick actions have fewer frames, making them look fast, while slow actions have more frames, making them look smooth. Timing, combined with spacing, helps create natural and engaging animations.

know more about timing

know more about timing and spacing.

Page 2 - How it helps
In animation, timing helps make actions look realistic and expressive. By controlling how many frames are used for a movement, animators can make actions appear fast or slow, smooth or sharp. Good timing ensures that the animation feels natural and keeps the audience engaged, effectively conveying the intended emotions and actions.

https://pixune.com/blog/timing-in-animation/

https://darvideo.tv/dictionary/timing/

Page 3 - Changing the timing
Changing timing in animation alters the speed and feel of movements. Faster timing, with fewer frames, makes actions appear quicker and more energetic, while slower timing, with more frames, makes actions smoother and more deliberate. Proper timing enhances realism and emotional impact, conveying excitement, urgency, calmness, or tension. By adjusting timing, animators control the pacing, mood, and overall effect of the animation.

Page 4 - Timing 1s, 3s and 3s
In animation, "1s," "2s," and "3s" refer to how many frames each drawing or pose is held for. "1s" (on ones) means each drawing is shown for one frame, resulting in 24 unique drawings per second for very smooth motion. "2s" (on twos) means each drawing is shown for two frames, resulting in 12 drawings per second for slightly less smooth but efficient animation. "3s" (on threes) means each drawing is shown for three frames, resulting in 8 drawings per second, creating a choppier motion suitable for less detailed or slower movements. These techniques balance quality with resource efficiency

Page 5 - How spacing changes timing
The Trickiest Animation Principle, Simplified

know more about how timing and spacing changes animation.

In animation, timing and spacing work together to shape motion and rhythm. Timing is the number of frames for an action, affecting speed, while spacing is the distance between frames. Even spacing with consistent timing creates smooth motion, while varied spacing with adjusted timing produces dynamic effects. For example, slow timing with tight spacing shows a deliberate action, and fast timing with wide spacing shows rapid movement. Mastering both is essential for natural, engaging animations.

Page 8 - Comparison example
Animate on "1s" (each drawing for one frame) for fast-paced, detailed action scenes. Use "2s" (each drawing for two frames) for slower movements or when conserving time and resources without sacrificing too much quality

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