11

Animating Strokes

In its simplest form a 2D Computer Animation is a single Stroke appearing to move on the

computer Screen. Complex Animations involve numerous Strokes, all of which appear to move,

perhaps simultaneously, telling a story or conveying a message.

An Animation takes place during a period of time, therefore, it is said to work on a Timeline.

The very basic method of creating an Animation is to draw Strokes representing the shape of an

Object in different poses then display the poses at different Frames in a Timeline. In Blender's

2D Animation Workspace the Dope Sheet Timeline Editor and the Timeline Editor are

displayed below the 2D Viewport Editor. By default the Dope Sheet Timeline is fully open but

only the Header of the Timeline Editor is displayed.

At specific locations (Frames) in the Timeline, Keyframes are created, recording the position of

Strokes at that specific location (the Pose of a Character). The computer can, within limits,

automatically create what occurs in between the Keyframes (the changes in a Character's Pose).

The Bouncing Ball

Figure 11.1

Keyframe 1

at Frame 1

Keyframe 2

at Frame 10

Keyframe 3

at Frame 20

Frames in between Keyframes

The Ball is the Character in a different Pose at each Keyframe.

Keyframes (Diamond Shapes)

Dope Sheet Timeline

Frame Numbers

The position of the Ball is recorded at Keyframe 1, Keyframe 2, and Keyframe 3. The computer

works out the in-between Frames.

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