What are the best animation principles to convey weight in game development?
Animation is a key element of game development, as it brings the characters, objects, and environments to life. However, animation can also be challenging, especially when it comes to conveying the sense of weight and mass of different elements. How can you make your animations more realistic and believable, and avoid the common pitfalls of weightlessness and stiffness? In this article, we will explore some of the best animation principles to convey weight in game development, and how to apply them to your projects.
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Squash and stretch:This technique manipulates an object's shape to reflect its motion, giving a sense of weight and impact. In practice, when animating, slightly squash your object upon impact and elongate it when it moves swiftly to mimic reality.
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Focus on key frames:Prioritize your animation efforts on the pivotal 'key frame' moments, such as anticipation before a jump or the follow-through after a landing. By doing so, you'll enhance the realism and weight of your characters' movements where viewers' eyes naturally linger.