animation principles - refresher
Use when an experienced animator needs a quick reminder of the 12 principles without basic explanations
- Installs
- 492
- Last 24h
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- Trending rank
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- Security
- Not audited
Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --skill animation-principles---refresher- 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 - refresher 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.
Quick Principles Refresher
You know these. Here's the checklist.
The 12
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Squash/Stretch - Volume constant, shape varies. Check your impacts and fast motion.
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Anticipation - Is the audience prepared? Opposite direction, proportional to action.
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Staging - Silhouette test. One idea. Where's the eye going?
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Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose - Right method for this shot? Maybe hybrid.
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Follow Through / Overlap - Does everything stop at once? (It shouldn't.) Hierarchy: root leads, tips lag.
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Slow In / Out - Checked your spacing charts? Bunched at ends, spread in middle.
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Arcs - Track the paths. Everything curves unless intentionally broken.
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Secondary Action - Supporting, not competing. Add after primary works.
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Timing - Frame count matches intent? Weight, mood, pacing all live here.
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Exaggeration - Did you push it enough? (Probably not.) Find real, then go 20% past.
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Solid Drawing - Does it have weight? Volume consistent through motion?
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Appeal - Would you watch this? Clear shapes, readable pose, distinctive design?
Quick Diagnosis
Floaty? Check timing and slow in/out. Probably too even.
Stiff? Add overlap. Offset timing. Break symmetry.
Confusing? Staging issue. Simplify. One idea per shot.
Mechanical? Arcs are probably too straight. Add anticipation variety.
Dead? Secondary action missing. Overlap insufficient.
Boring? Push exaggeration. Check appeal. Vary timing.
Shot Checklist
Before calling it done:
- Silhouette reads
- Arcs tracked
- Spacing varied (slow in/out)
- Overlap on all appendages
- Secondary action supports (doesn't compete)
- Exaggeration appropriate to style
- Timing matches weight and mood
- Anticipation proportional
- Volume consistent
- Appeal present
Principle Priority by Shot Type
Action: Timing > Arcs > Anticipation > Squash/Stretch Dialogue: Staging > Secondary > Timing > Appeal Comedy: Timing > Exaggeration > Anticipation > Staging Subtle acting: Secondary > Overlap > Timing > Staging
Trust your instincts. You've done this. This is just calibration.
FAQ
What does the animation principles - refresher skill do?
Use when an experienced animator needs a quick reminder of the 12 principles without basic explanations
How do I install animation principles - refresher?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --skill animation-principles---refresher 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---refresher/ (personal) or .claude/skills/animation-principles---refresher/ (project).
Which AI agents can use animation principles - refresher?
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 - refresher 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 - refresher?
It is published by dylantarre in dylantarre/animation-principles. It has 492 recorded installs.
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