Information Technology IT – 20 Animation | e-Consult

The process of creating secondary animation typically involves observing real-world movements and translating them into digital keyframes. This often requires careful planning and anticipation of the primary action.

Key considerations for effective secondary animation include:

• Timing and Spacing: Secondary movements should be timed to occur before, during, or after the primary action to create a natural flow.
• Exaggeration: Subtle secondary movements can be exaggerated slightly to make them more visible and impactful.
• Contextual Relevance: Secondary movements should be relevant to the primary action and the character's emotional state.
• Subtlety: Avoid overdoing secondary animation, as it can become distracting and detract from the main action.
• Anticipation: Adding movements that prepare the viewer for the primary action (e.g., a character crouching before jumping) makes the animation feel more realistic.

Animators often use reference footage and study real-world physics to inform their secondary animation choices.