The frames in between key frames are called inbetweens or tweens.
Understanding Inbetweens in Animation
In animation, keyframes are the defining points of a movement. They represent the start and end positions or poses of an animated object. To create the illusion of smooth motion, animators insert frames between these keyframes. These intermediate frames are known as inbetweens.
Key Concepts
- Keyframes: The main frames that define the start and end points of an animation sequence.
- Inbetweens (Tweens): Intermediate frames generated between keyframes to create smooth motion.
- Inbetweening (Tweening): The process of creating inbetween frames.
The Purpose of Inbetweens
The primary goal of inbetweens is to make movement appear fluid and natural. Without inbetweens, the animation would look choppy and discontinuous, jumping directly from one keyframe to the next.
Example: Simple Animation of a Ball Bouncing
Let's consider a simple animation of a ball bouncing:
- Keyframe 1: The ball is at its highest point before falling.
- Keyframe 2: The ball is just about to hit the ground.
- Keyframe 3: The ball is squashed upon impact with the ground.
- Keyframe 4: The ball has bounced off the ground and is moving upwards.
- Keyframe 5: The ball is at the peak of its bounce.
To make the ball's motion appear smooth, we need inbetween frames:
- Between Keyframe 1 and 2: Multiple frames showing the ball accelerating downward.
- Between Keyframe 2 and 3: Frames depicting the ball beginning to squash upon impact.
- Between Keyframe 3 and 4: Frames illustrating the ball deforming and springing back to its normal shape.
- Between Keyframe 4 and 5: Frames showing the ball decelerating as it rises.
Types of Inbetweening
In traditional animation, inbetweening was a manual process where animators would draw each intermediate frame by hand. In modern digital animation, computer software can automatically generate inbetweens, which is often referred to as tweening. This automation has significantly streamlined the animation workflow and allows for smoother, more complex movements to be created efficiently.
Key Takeaway
Inbetweens are essential for creating realistic and fluid movement in animation. They fill the gaps between keyframes and give the illusion of continuous motion by smoothly transitioning one image into another. As stated in the reference, "Inbetweening, also known as tweening, is a process in animation that involves creating intermediate frames, called inbetweens, between two keyframes. The intended result is to create the illusion of movement by smoothly transitioning one image into another."
