Key Takeaways
- Overlapping action adds depth and naturalism to the animated movement.
- It simply means that when the main action has come to a stop, elements of secondary order will continue moving.
- The mastery of this principle relaxes animations from rigidity and makes them more natural.
- Overlapping action brings life into breathing characters in animation.
Exactly what is Overlapping Action?
Imagine a character who has been running comes to an abrupt stop. In the real world, his clothes, hair, and other loose parts don’t freeze in place instantly. They would have kept on moving for an instant, settling into place. That, in a nutshell, is overlapping action.
Overlapping action is when parts of a body or object don’t all move at the same speed or come to rest all at the same time. It is the continuation of movement in parts of the body subsequent to the principal action in an animation scene to achieve a believability factor.
Why Overlapping Action Matters?
Here are some reasons:
- Creates more natural, fluid movements
- Adds visual interest and complexity to animations
- Helps establish the weight and physicality of characters and objects
- Enhances the personality and emotion of animated characters
The Physics Behind the Magic
Overlapping action isn’t just an artistic choice – it’s rooted in real-world physics. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Concept | Explanation | Animation Application | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inertia | Objects resist changes in motion | Parts of a character continue moving after the main body stops | |
| Mass | The amount of matter in an object | Heavier parts move more slowly, lighter parts more quickly | |
| Drag | Air resistance affecting motion | Helps determine how quickly different elements come to rest |
Mastering the Art of Overlapping Action
Let’s look at some of the key techniques to enable this overlapping action in your animations:
- Follow-through: The Aftermath of Movement Follow-through is a set of movements that occur immediately after the main action has stopped. Such examples would be a dog’s ears flopping right after he finishes shaking his head, or the cape fluttering behind a superhero who has just landed. This continuation of movement enriches and complicates an animated scene.
- Drag: Not Everything Moves at Once Drag creates a slight drag in the motion of secondary elements. For instance, when the character turns the head, the hair might be a fraction of a second behind before it catches on. This small effect can make the movements less mechanical and more organic in feel.
- Moving Hold: Keeping Things Alive Even when a character has to be in one pose, subtle hints of small movements keep them from appearing lifeless. Subtle weight shifts, gentle breathing motions, or minute fidgets help in keeping up the illusion.
- Secondary Action: Creating Layers of Movement Secondary actions are additional actions that support and complement the primary action. For example, a character can scratch his head while thinking or tap their feet on the ground waiting with impatience.
- Opposing Forces: Dynamic Tension This is when forces work on a figure or object in opposing ways, creating a sense of energy within the character or object, which communicates life. It is good for creating weight and balance.
Pulling It All Together: A Case Study
Let’s look at one example of overlapping action in action:
Disney’s Goofy character. In this classic instructional video, Goofy demonstrates how to play baseball. Notice how his long ears, baggy sleeves and trousers, and gangly limbs all continue to move, subsequent to his main actions, to great comic and lively effect.
Disney’s Goofy character. In this classic instructional video, Goofy demonstrates how to play baseball. Notice how his long ears, baggy sleeves and trousers, and gangly limbs all continue to move, subsequent to his main actions, to great comic and lively effect.
Tools of the Trade: Software for Overlapping Action
While the principles of overlapping action apply in all formats of animation, some software tools easily lend themselves to applying techniques. These are:
- Adobe Animate: Best for frame-by-frame animation and tweening.
- Toon Boom Harmony: robust rigging and secondary animation tools.
- Blender: good for advanced 3D physics simulation-based animation
- Maya: Fully commercial scale industry-standard 3D animation software with inbuilt robust character tools.
Beyond Characters: Overlapping Action in the World
Overlapping action isn’t just a technique for character animation. It’s also a strong tool when bringing animated environments to life. Think about these examples, for instance:
- Trees swaying in the wind, with the rustling of leaves after the breeze dies down
- Water ripples spreading out long after a stone has been thrown
- Dust and dirt settling following an explosion
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While overlapping action can elevate your animations, it is possible to overdo it. Here are some mistakes to watch out for:
- Over-animating: Too much overlapping action can make a scene feel chaotic or distracting
- Inconsistent physics: Make sure your overlapping actions obey the laws of physics you’ve established in your world
- Forgetting the main action: Overlapping action should enhance, not overshadow, the primary movement
Learning from the Masters
Some of the finest examples of overlapping action may be found in classic hand-drawn animations. Studios such as Disney, Studio Ghibli, and Warner Bros. have developed these techniques over the decades. It should not be a problem to study from the masters of the craft by researching their work for techniques of proper overlapping action.
To more fully grasp the history and usage of animation principles, specifically overlapping action, read The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.
To more fully grasp the history and usage of animation principles, specifically overlapping action, read The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.
Overlapping Action in the Information Age
As methods of animation change, overlapping action changes. In the world of 3D animation and motion graphics, new tools and technologies allow for:
- Procedural animation: algorithms create realistic secondary motions automatically;
- Physics engines: simulate real-world physics to come up with more correct overlapping actions;
- Motion capture: Capturing movement, capturing subtleties of the human body in motion and natural overlapping actions. See some good examples of motion images at characterbazaar
Conclusion
Overlapping action is an art that takes time to develop and for one to become proficient at it. The results, however, are more than rewarding.
Remember, the goal of Overlapping Action is to create more believable and engaging animations that captivate your audience and bring your characters and worlds to life.
FAQ: Mastering Overlapping Action
- What is the difference between Overlapping Action and Follow-through? While very similar, it seems that ‘overlapping action’ describes the more general case of different parts of the body moving at different rates; ‘follow-through’ specifically describes what happens after the main action has come to a halt.
- Can overlapping action be applied to 2D and 3D animation? Yes! The principles of overlapping action apply to every form of animation. How exactly to apply these principles may differ between 2D and 3D.
- Are there any time-saving methods in animation software to get overlapping action? Many animation packages include tools for secondary motion generators and physics simulations to assist in creating overlapping action, but the rules behind them are important in using them effectively.
- To what degree is overlapping action important in realistic vs. stylized animation? Overlapping action is much more important in both, though it may be exaggerated for comic or dramatic effect in more stylized animations.
- Can overlapping action help in the development of personality in a character? Absolutely! The secondary elements can tell a lot of things; they can express an individual’s personality, his mood, or even physical characteristics.
About Author
Established in 2019, Amazdraw is a pioneering animation studio in Delhi NCR. We offer top-quality animations, visual effects, motion designs, and more. Our specialties include various techniques such as traditional, 2D animation, whiteboard animation, and illustrations. We have a team of industry experts and focus on providing high-quality services. Amazdraw is now recognized as one of the best animation companies in North India.
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