How to Add In-betweens in Walk Cycle Animation

Once you've got the walk cycle animations down, you're ready to move on to the in-betweens. An in-between is what goes in-between your key frames. You'll need these to make your animation look smooth. While using traditional ink-and-paper, you'll need to learn these steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• light box

1. Secure the two elements, or key frames, for which you're attempting to make an in-between to your light box. The light box should be face up and have its power source ready to go before you undertake this step.

2. Add a third sheet of paper to the top of the key frames and align its edges with the other papers before securing it. This sheet should be blank and ready for you to draw on.

3. Trace over any elements that will remain still between the two frames. This should be obvious since the lines will run together underneath the blank sheet, giving a dark tone.

4. Keeping with the flow of the motion, draw "in-between" the lines of the moving parts, mimicking the curves and lines to create a consistent final product.

5. Insert the in-between so that it's now located physically between the two sheets that you've finished with. Repeat this process as often as necessary for your walk cycle.

Tips & Warnings

• Even though this article focuses on traditional animation, the concept of in-betweens still applies to computer animation. You can get much out of making objects that you know are going to change separate elements from those that won't, and manipulating them on a palette.
• Remember that not every set of key frames will need an in-between. Gauge the feel of the product before going ahead with what might be unnecessary work. You should have a natural, smooth animation.