Creating Smooth Animations: Intermediate Frames Guide
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 8 min read

Contents

  1. What are intermediate frames?
  2. Why use intermediate frames?
  3. How to identify key frames
  4. How to create intermediate frames
  5. How to refine intermediate frames
  6. How to check smoothness of animation
  7. Troubleshoot common issues
  8. Tips to enhance animation flow

Delving into the world of animation can feel like learning a new language. But don't worry, we're going to break it down and make it easy to understand. Today, we'll focus on a key element of animation that makes everything look smoother and more natural: intermediate frames. By the end of this guide, you'll have a solid grasp of intermediate frames animation, why it's important, and how to use it to enhance your animations.

What are intermediate frames?

When you're watching an animation, you're actually seeing a rapid sequence of images, or frames. Some of these frames are keyframes — the major points of motion or change in your animation. But there's another type of frame that's just as important: the intermediate frame.

An intermediate frame is a frame in an animation that occurs between two keyframes. It's the bridge that smoothly transitions your animation from one keyframe to the next. Instead of jumping abruptly from one keyframe to another, intermediate frames create a fluid movement that makes the animation look more natural. Think of it like the steps you take when walking — each step is an intermediate frame that moves you smoothly from point A to point B.

Creating effective intermediate frames is a big part of what makes an animation look smooth and lifelike. It's the magic ingredient that breathes life into your animations and makes them more engaging to watch. So, if you've been wondering how to make your animations look smoother and more natural, the answer lies in mastering intermediate frames animation.

But why use intermediate frames, exactly? And how do you identify keyframes and create and refine intermediate frames? Let's dive in and answer those questions.

Why use intermediate frames?

Now, you might be wondering: why go through the trouble of creating intermediate frames? Can't we just stick with keyframes and call it a day? Well, not quite. Here's why:

Intermediate frames add a layer of realism to your animation. Without them, movements can appear choppy or disjointed. Ever seen a cartoon where characters seem to teleport from one position to another without any in-between movement? That's what happens when you skip the intermediate frames.

On the other hand, when you include intermediate frames animation, you infuse your work with a smooth flow that mimics the way things move in real life. Imagine a ball bouncing. If you only show the ball at the highest and lowest points, the bounce won't feel natural. But if you add frames showing the ball mid-air and just before it hits the ground, the bounce suddenly comes to life.

So, if you're aiming to create animations that hold your viewer's attention and evoke emotion, intermediate frames are your secret weapon.

Alright, now that we understand what intermediate frames are and why they're important, let's move on to identifying keyframes, which is the first step in creating smooth intermediate frames animation.

How to identify key frames

Identifying key frames is an important step in creating your intermediate frames animation. Think of key frames as the 'milestones' in your animation journey. They're the pivotal moments that define the start and end of a motion sequence.

So, how do you spot these animation milestones? Well, it's about observing the movement you're trying to animate and pinpointing the most significant points. For instance, if you're animating a jump, your key frames might be the moment the character bends their knees to leap, the highest point of the jump, and the landing.

Remember, the goal here is not to capture every minor movement, but to identify the major ones that will guide the creation of your intermediate frames. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: "If I had to tell the story of this movement with just a few snapshots, which ones would I choose?"

Once you've identified your key frames, you're ready to dive into the exciting world of creating intermediate frames. Let's get to it!

How to create intermediate frames

So, you've identified your key frames. Great job! Now it's time to create your intermediate frames. These are the frames that will fill the gaps between your key frames, providing a smooth transition and making your animation come to life.

Creating intermediate frames, also known as 'in-betweening' or 'tweening', involves drawing frames that represent the transition from one key frame to another. For example, if one key frame shows a character standing still and the next shows them mid-jump, your intermediate frames would illustrate the stages of the jump.

Here's a simple step-by-step guide:

  1. Start by looking at your first two key frames. Visualize the motion that needs to happen to get from the first frame to the next.
  2. Draw a frame that represents the midpoint of this movement. This is your first intermediate frame.
  3. Repeat the process, creating more intermediate frames between each pair of key frames until the movement looks smooth when you play the frames back-to-back.

Remember: the goal of intermediate frames animation is to make your animation look fluid and natural. So, don't be afraid to add as many intermediate frames as needed to capture the subtleties of each motion.

Finally, a word of advice: be patient. Intermediate frames animation can be a time-consuming process, but the results are worth it. Happy animating!

How to refine intermediate frames

Now that you've built the structure of your animation with intermediate frames, it's time to refine it for that smooth, professional look. But you might ask, how exactly do you refine these frames?

Refining intermediate frames in animation is much like sanding a piece of woodwork. You're smoothing out the rough edges, making the transitions between frames seamless. Let's walk through the process:

  1. Play through your animation. Watch out for any sudden jumps or jerky movements that disrupt the flow of the animation. These are your clues that a frame or sequence needs refining.
  2. For each jerky movement, consider adding additional intermediate frames or modifying the existing ones. Remember, the aim here is to make the movement as smooth as possible.
  3. Look at the shapes and lines of your frames. Are they consistent throughout the animation? If not, tweak them until they are. This step is all about maintaining the visual continuity of your characters or objects.
  4. Lastly, watch your animation again. Rinse and repeat the process until you're satisfied with the smoothness of your animation.

Refining intermediate frames in animation might seem like a lot of work. But trust me, it's the little details that make a big difference. So, take your time and make every frame count.

How to check smoothness of animation

There's a saying among animators, "The devil is in the details." And when it comes to checking the smoothness of your animation, this couldn't be more true. But don't worry—we're not hunting for devils here. We're just making sure that your animation flows as smoothly as a river. Here's how you can check:

  1. Play your animation at different speeds. Slow it down, speed it up. You're looking for inconsistencies in your animation that might not be visible at normal speed. If something feels off, that's your intuition telling you there's room for improvement.
  2. Check from different angles. This is especially important for 3D animations. Rotate your view and watch your animation from multiple perspectives to ensure smoothness in all dimensions.
  3. Solicit feedback. Fresh eyes can often spot things that you might have missed. Show your animation to colleagues, friends, or family and ask for their honest opinions. Remember, constructive criticism is a gift that helps us grow.
  4. Take a break. Sometimes, you can get too close to your work. Step away from your project for a little while—take a walk, grab a cup of coffee, or just do something else you enjoy. When you come back to your animation, you'll see it with fresh eyes and likely notice areas where the flow could be smoother.

Checking the smoothness of your animation might feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. But remember, every great animator was once where you are now. So, keep refining, keep checking, and soon you'll see your hard work pay off.

Troubleshoot common issues

Animation is a journey, and like every journey, it has its bumps and hurdles. But every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Let's have a look at some common issues you might face while working on intermediate frames animation and how to troubleshoot them.

  1. Stiff motion: If your animation doesn't flow naturally, it might feel stiff. Make sure your key frames and intermediate frames are in harmony with each other. Sometimes, adjusting the timing or spacing of frames can work wonders.
  2. Blurry frames: If you notice blurriness in your animation, it could be due to rendering issues or problems with the frame rate. Check your software settings and verify your rendering process to ensure clarity.
  3. Inconsistent speed: If the speed of your animation fluctuates without reason, it can disrupt the viewer's experience. Keep an eye on the timing of your frames—speed should only change to reflect the action or mood you're trying to convey.
  4. Unnatural movements: Every subject in your animation, whether human, animal or object, should move in a way that's believable and consistent with their nature. If something feels off, refer back to your references or use rotoscoping techniques to refine the motion.

Remember, troubleshooting is part of the process. It's not about finding faults—it's about finding ways to make your animation better. And every time you solve a problem, you're not just improving your current project, you're also gaining valuable skills and insights for your future work in intermediate frames animation.

Tips to enhance animation flow

Now that we've discussed troubleshooting, let's focus on boosting the overall flow of your animation. Here are four tips that can help you enhance the fluidity of your intermediate frames animation.

  1. Plan Ahead: Before you even begin animating, plan your animation. Sketch out your key frames and have a clear idea of the movement you want to depict. This will guide you when creating your intermediate frames and ensure a smoother flow.
  2. Use Motion Paths: Motion paths are a visual tool that can help you map out the trajectory of an object or character. They can guide you in creating intermediate frames that follow a logical and fluid course.
  3. Observe and Learn: There's no better teacher than observation. Watch animations, study the movements of people and objects around you, and apply what you learn to your own work. This can greatly enhance the realism and fluidity of your intermediate frames animation.
  4. Practice Makes Perfect: As with any skill, the more you practice, the better you'll get. Don't be disheartened if your first few animations aren't as smooth as you'd like. Keep practicing, keep learning, and you'll see improvement over time.

Remember, creating a smooth animation is like choreographing a dance. It takes time, patience, and practice. But when all the elements come together—the key frames, the intermediate frames, the timing—it's a beautiful sight to behold. So keep these tips in mind, and happy animating!

If you enjoyed learning about creating smooth animations and want to further develop your skills, don't miss out on learning from our 'Daisie Original Animation Course' with none another than Alex Jenkins who will you take you through his complete animation process. Dive in and take your animation skills to the next level!