animation principles - quick start
Use when someone needs a rapid overview of all 12 animation principles in under 5 minutes
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --skill animation-principles---quick-start- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads animation principles - quick start automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
12 Animation Principles in 5 Minutes
The Disney animators codified these principles in the 1930s. They still define quality animation today.
The Principles (30 seconds each)
1. Squash and Stretch Objects compress on impact, elongate in motion. A bouncing ball flattens when it hits ground. Gives life and flexibility.
2. Anticipation Wind-up before action. Crouch before jump. Arm back before throw. Prepares the viewer for what's coming.
3. Staging Present ideas clearly. One idea per shot. The viewer should never wonder where to look.
4. Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose Two animation methods. Straight ahead: draw frame by frame for fluid, spontaneous motion. Pose to pose: draw key frames first for controlled, planned action.
5. Follow Through / Overlapping Action Things don't stop all at once. Hair keeps moving after head stops. Different parts move at different rates.
6. Slow In and Slow Out Movement accelerates and decelerates. More drawings at start and end, fewer in middle. Creates natural weight.
7. Arc Natural motion follows curved paths. Arms swing in arcs. Heads turn in arcs. Straight lines feel robotic.
8. Secondary Action Supporting movements that add richness. Walking while whistling. Talking while gesturing. Enhances without distracting.
9. Timing Number of frames = speed and weight. Fewer frames = faster/lighter. More frames = slower/heavier.
10. Exaggeration Push reality further for impact. Bigger expressions, more dynamic poses. Animation isn't reality - it's reality enhanced.
11. Solid Drawing Three-dimensional thinking. Weight, balance, anatomy. Even 2D characters should feel like they have volume.
12. Appeal Charisma in design. Characters should be interesting to watch. Clear shapes, good proportions, distinctive features.
Quick Reference Groups
Make it move right: Timing, Arcs, Slow In/Out, Squash/Stretch Make it feel alive: Follow Through, Overlapping, Secondary Action Make it read clearly: Staging, Anticipation Make it compelling: Appeal, Exaggeration, Solid Drawing
The Only Exercise You Need to Start
Animate a bouncing ball. It teaches Timing, Squash/Stretch, Arcs, and Slow In/Out simultaneously.
FAQ
What does the animation principles - quick start skill do?
Use when someone needs a rapid overview of all 12 animation principles in under 5 minutes
How do I install animation principles - quick start?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --skill animation-principles---quick-start in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/animation-principles---quick-start/ (personal) or .claude/skills/animation-principles---quick-start/ (project).
Which AI agents can use animation principles - quick start?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is animation principles - quick start safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains animation principles - quick start?
It is published by dylantarre in dylantarre/animation-principles. It has 502 recorded installs.
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