Category: 3D Computer Animation Fundamentals

This week, we focused on weight in animation, especially how timing and spacing can make an object feel heavy or light.

One thing I learned was the difference between timing and spacing. Timing is about how many frames are used for a movement, while spacing is about how the movement changes speed during those frames. Before this class, I did not really separate these two ideas. I usually just looked at whether the movement was too fast or too slow.

We also looked at how force, mass and acceleration affect movement. A heavier object needs more time to accelerate when the same force is applied. This helped me understand why objects with different weights should not move in exactly the same way.

For the exercise, we animated different balls rolling off a platform, including a table tennis ball, beach ball and bowling ball. I found this useful because the basic action was almost the same, but the feeling of each ball should be different. I realised that changing the timing and spacing can make a big difference even when the movement itself is simple.

Reflection

Before this class, I think I was more focused on where the object was going than how it was moving between two positions. I would probably make a movement look correct first, and then adjust the speed if it felt strange. This class made me start looking more closely at what happens between the key poses.

The three-ball exercise also made me notice something quite simple. A bowling ball and a table tennis ball can follow a similar path, but I should not animate them in the same way. The difference in weight needs to be visible through the movement itself. I think this is something I can understand better by watching real objects rather than only remembering rules.

I also found the idea of spacing useful because it gives me another way to look at my animation. Instead of only asking whether the timing is right, I can look at the distance between each frame and see how the movement changes.

For my next animation, I want to spend more time observing references before I start animating. I think this will help me understand weight more naturally, instead of trying to make an object look “heavy” just by changing a few settings.

This week, I learned the 12 Principles of Animation and Golden Pose. One important thing I learned is that a pose is not only about placing the character in a position. It should also make the action clear at first glance.

The course introduced Clear Silhouette as an important part of a good pose. Even when the character is shown as a black and white silhouette, the action should still be easy to understand. Different parts of the body should not overlap too much.

I also learned about Line of Action. The body can use an S-shaped or C-shaped curve to create a sense of movement and make the pose feel less stiff.

There are also Balance & Weight, Asymmetry, Exaggeration, Emotion and Personality. These helped me pay more attention to the position of the hands and feet, the balance of the body, and avoiding having both sides of the body doing exactly the same thing.

Golden Pose Practice

Before, I mainly focused on whether the hands and feet were in the right positions. Now, I pay more attention to whether the whole pose looks natural and clear.

Because I did not study animation systematically before, I usually looked at my work as a whole and judged whether it looked right. Now, when I design a character pose, I start to pay more attention to silhouette and the line of action. My tutor also gave me some feedback about my poses. I need to pay more attention to the C-shaped line of action, especially the position of the bends in the legs. The two legs should not bend in exactly the same way. I also need to avoid making the arms and legs too straight, so the pose can feel more natural and have more movement.

This feedback made me realise that small changes in a pose can make a big difference. I want to pay more attention to these details when I make my next animation.