On this page... Setting animation frame rates . . Animation movement . . How to adjust frame location . . How to move frame spaces . . Open blank spaces in frames . . Move multiple frames at once
TIMELINES, FRAMES AND MOVEMENT
Timelines and movement are dependent on frames and frame rate.
For a new animation it is sometimes easier to set your frame rate to 6 frames per second. This may not be good for a finished professional animated movie, but for our purposes it will work.
This means you only need 6 frames per second instead of the traditional 24. It also means you only need to draw or copy 6 frames to achieve 1 second of movement. Much quicker and easier.
If you decide later on, that 6 frames is not enough you can always add more frames.
For cartoon type animation 6 frames ps will be a little choppy but that can actually make a simple animation more interesting.
You can set your frame rate on the lower right side of your pencil dashboard.
PLANNING MOVEMENT IN YOUR ANIMATION
For planning movement within an animation it is sometimes helpful to make a temporary layer before any other layers. I like to use a bmp layer for this. Name the layer dummy. Make a bunch of frames with the + signs above the timeline.
Use this layer to guide the layout and movement for your planned animation.
Use quick rough sketches with very little detail. Do not worry about leg movement or anything except an outline in the shape of the subject.
Use this as a temporary character to get placement and timing and perspective correct.
Once you get your movement and timing right, you can create another bmp layer to use as your sketch layer. This new sketch layer will overlay your dummy layer and allow you to sketch in a more detailed version of your animation.
ADJUSTING AND MOVING FRAMES
The frame of course is the window that contains your drawing for one little piece of your animation. The way frames are sequenced and arranged is through the timeline at the bottom of the pencil software screen. Adding and subtracting frames to your beginning animation is easily accomplished with the + - buttons above the timeline.
Moving the frames to new locations and positions is a little more difficult. You will know how when you read this article.
Here's a few definitions just to clarify these instructions.
I like to call computer keyboard keys ...keyboard keys.
I like to call frames ...frames
I like to call the little frame keys at the lower part of the timeline...frame keys (even though the program refers to them as "keys.")
I like to call the red bar on the timeline ...the red bar
The red bar on the timeline needs to be moved to where you want to replace or add frames. It's intended as a frame locator and animation review device. Do not try to move a frame with the red bar, just use it as a selector to tell the software where you want to add a frame.
HOW TO MOVE FRAMES IN PENCIL ANIMATION SOFTWARE
If you want to add frames between other frames here's how. Do not use your masterpiece to practice on. Save a copy under a different name and use that.
Moving a frame is done in the lower part of the timeline, with the frame keys.
To move a frame, just click on the lower part of the frame key. do not click the red bar. The lower part of the frame key (the little square key thing) will turn dark gray when you click it. Now click and hold and drag it to the nearest blank space.
You cannot just insert a frame key between other frame keys without opening up a space.
As you click each frame key they will turn dark gray. Now you can click on them and drag them to the nearest blank spaces. Be sure to keep them in proper sequence as you move them.
If you want to move 3 frames at once you will need to have 3 open spaces to put them in. None of the unselected frame keys will move automatically.
HOW TO OPEN A SINGLE BLANK SPACE BETWEEN FRAMES IN PENCIL ANIMATION SOFTWARE
Inserting a frame in between others requires you to select each frame key that comes after the location you want , slide them over one at a time beginning on the farthest right one, (to make an empty slot), then insert your new frame. This is fine for a really short animation but once you go over 15 seconds it would be a pain. You do not have to move them one at a time.
HOW TO MOVE MULTIPLE FRAMES AT ONCE IN PENCIL ANIMATION SOFTWARE
Heres a shortcut for moving multiple frames over. Hold down the alt key and click the key where you would like to add a new frame. It will turn all keys to the right dark gray.
You can release the alt key. Now click the first dark gray frame key and you can slide all the keys to the right. If you want to make a space for more frames keep sliding.
That was a lot harder to explain than to do.
You can move the frames to dark gray frames to the left or right, just make sure you have opened up enough spaces first.
Once you have moved the keys you wanted you will have to click away from them so they turn light gray again. This will allow you to move different keys if you need to.
If you want to extend the time between two keys you can add additional frames between them.
Now you are an expert at moving frames in pencil software.
