What are the best practices for creating traditional animation in e-learning?

1 Choose the right software

The first step to creating traditional animation in e-learning is to choose the right software that suits your needs and preferences. There are many options available, from free and open-source programs like Krita and OpenToonz, to professional and industry-standard tools like Adobe Animate and Toon Boom Harmony. You should consider factors such as the features, compatibility, ease of use, and cost of the software before making a decision. You should also look for tutorials and reviews online to see how other animators use the software and what tips and tricks they can offer.

2 Plan your animation

The next step is to plan your animation and storyboard your ideas. This will help you organize your thoughts, define your goals, and visualize your scenes. You should think about the purpose, audience, and message of your animation, and how it will fit into the overall e-learning content and design. You should also consider the length, style, and complexity of your animation, and how much time and resources you have to complete it. You should sketch out the main actions, transitions, and expressions of your characters and objects, and use arrows, notes, and timings to indicate the movement and pace of your animation.

3 Draw the keyframes

The keyframes are the most important frames of your animation, as they define the start and end points of a motion, as well as the major changes in direction, speed, and shape. They are the foundation of your animation, and you should draw them with care and attention to detail. You should use a light pencil or a low-opacity brush to draw the keyframes on separate layers or cels, and label them accordingly. You should also use reference images, videos, or models to help you capture the realism and accuracy of your animation.

4 Add the inbetweens

The inbetweens are the frames that fill in the gaps between the keyframes, and create the illusion of smooth and fluid movement. They are usually drawn by following the path of action, or the imaginary line that connects the keyframes. You can use a different color or a higher-opacity brush to draw the inbetweens on the same layer or cel as the keyframes, or on a new layer or cel if you prefer. You should also use the onion skin feature, which allows you to see the previous and next frames as a faint overlay, to help you align and adjust your drawings.

5 Clean up and color

The final step is to clean up and color your animation, and make it ready for export and integration into your e-learning project. You should erase or hide any unwanted or overlapping lines, and refine the shapes and curves of your drawings. You should also add color and shading to your animation, and use gradients, textures, and effects to enhance the mood and atmosphere of your scenes. You should also check the consistency, quality, and timing of your animation, and make any necessary changes or corrections. You should then export your animation as a video file, a GIF, or a sequence of images, depending on the format and specifications of your e-learning platform.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?