2D Animation: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fundamentals

Before you dive headlong into the world of cartoons it is important to understand the basics of how 2D animation really is. When we were kids watching our favorite show on Saturdays at the beginning of each week, it became evident that animation was more than just pictures that are played in a sequence. But what exactly is it?

Animation is, on an extremely simple scale, nothing more than the creation of a sequence of pictures known as frames, which are playing along a timeline, or reel. Why does it work? Why can’t we be able to see a lot of static images? The mechanism that allows humans to see the animation is known as persistence of vision, a theory that asserts that an afterimage is present within the retina twenty-fifth of a second prior to disappearing from the consciousness of the present that allows frames to merge into each other and produce the impression of motion.

2D animation is a kind of animation made in a 2 dimension rather than a three-dimensional context. The majority of animation studios today (such as DreamWorks or Pixar) employ 3D animation software to design the characters and settings for their films, by sculpting the characters from hundreds of small digital polygons and animating them using computers like puppets strung with strings. 2D animation isn’t based on elaborate digital models or digital space choosing simple methods: simply sketching the frames of every scene, and then letting our minds fill in the blanks.

Of course, today’s 2D animators don’t rely on pencils and paper to make the animated scenes you see on TV as well as in films. 2D animation has become completely digital and utilizes the latest technology to produce the stunning clarity and artistic fidelity that we’ve become accustomed to seeing in modern films. Certain software tools created specifically for 2D animators are specially designed to do one thing and others provide everything you need to make full-length animations on your PC at home.

Take a look at some animation tools that you can master through Udemy.

Tools of the Trade

Every animator has an exclusive set of tools in order to perform their job. 50 or 60 years ago they were just pens, paper, and a pencil. But today, there are whole software and apps devoted to animation.

Although modern software for animation may be less simple than the traditional approach they offer the animator an incredibly robust toolbox to use, allowing animators to create more intricate and precise styles without the need for a whole team of artists to back them. When entire teams of animators worked long hours to make an image to life on screen, a single animator is now able to turn to the numerous 2D animation tools available at his disposal. Here’s a list of a few of the best animation tools for those who are 2D animation beginners, many of them can be learned via Udemy.

Synfig

Synfig is a completely free open-source software designed for 2D animators. It offers an impressive set of tools to create anything from simple motion graphics to cinematic animation. It is available to Windows, Linux, and OSX, Synfig is an extremely low-cost method to get started creating amazing 2D animations. Because it’s an open-source program, Synfig is constantly updated with new features, which are typically better than those that are available in the more expensive alternatives in addition to the vast and easy-to-use documentation available in its form in the Synfig Wiki.

Learn the fundamentals of Synfig here on Udemy. Take a look at the tutorial on creating Cutout Animation in Synfig Studio by Konstantin Dmitriev, Nikolai Mamashev, and Julia Velkova Ober to discover all you should learn about starting with Synfig.

Toon Boom Studio

Toon Boom Studio is an all-in-one animation program for novices that have been created to teach you the basics of 2D animation while you create. It’s packed with powerful tools that make the most difficult aspects of animation easy for even the most novice user to grasp and use. Lip syncing, special effects tools, as well as tween generation, are all included in Toon Boom Studio, which provides a decent amount of functionality for the money in addition to the more advanced features such as a Chroma key suite, as well as Stop motion software. Begin animating your first cartoon in just a few minutes by using Infinite Skills’ toon Boom Studio Tutorials on Udemy.

Flash

Adobe Flash is the most popular piece of software used for motion graphics and animations on the internet and has been in use for more than 15 years. When it comes to games, short 2D animations, or interactive content, Adobe Flash is the industry standard. Its widespread presence in the world of animation and Adobe’s desire to be the best in their products has resulted in Flash being the most popular tool for animators of every experience. While it’s expensive, Adobe Flash is well worth the cost for the amateur animator who wants to improve your work. Have a glance at Adobe Flash CS6 with this tutorial taught by Peachpit Press. In this class, you’ll learn everything from using the user interface, to advanced techniques for animation.

Storyboard

Storyboarding is a crucial element of the animation process that shouldn’t be missed. In larger projects like movies Storyboard artists create the storyboards for animators, however, for smaller projects in 2D animation Software like Storyboard lets smaller teams convert their ideas into stories swiftly and effortlessly. The software was created by Toon Boom One of the most well-known name in 2D animation Storyboard is a must-have tool for committing your tales to pictures.

Creation

Mostly used by animators who want to apply a “cut out” style of animation, Creation is a free and robust piece of animation software that is highly praised for its user-friendliness. The process of learning Creation is easy and extremely accommodating for an advanced program. Creation isn’t anything, but it’s only accessible on Windows and since development has been halted It doesn’t appear that it’ll be receiving assistance for Mac or Linux anytime soon.

Pencil

Pencil is a less basic studio program designed to mimic the classic flipbook style of animation. Although it’s not the most ideal software to create feature-length animations, it’s the ideal toolbox to learn the basics of animation in 2D. Its user-friendly interface provides all the tools an aspiring animator will need to begin creating basic animations on their own along with the Pencil Wiki has a wealth of easy tutorials that can help animators who are just beginning to establish their foundations and strengthen their style.