After Effects Animation Principles
Implement all 12 Disney animation principles using After Effects' powerful animation tools.
1. Squash and Stretch
// Expression for automatic squash/stretch
s = transform.scale[1];
x = 100 + (100 - s) * 0.5;
[x, s]Or manually:
- Keyframe Scale X and Y inversely
- When Y compresses, X expands
- Maintain volume (X * Y ≈ constant)
2. Anticipation
Timeline structure:
- 0-10f: Wind-up (crouch, pull back)
- 10-12f: Transition
- 12-30f: Main action
- 30-40f: Settle
Use Easy Ease on anticipation keyframes for smooth wind-up.
3. Staging
Techniques:
- Use depth of field (Camera > Depth of Field)
- Apply blur to background layers
- Use vignettes to direct focus
- Adjust opacity of secondary elements
- Light the main subject brighter
4. Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose
Pose to Pose (recommended):
- Set keyframes at key poses
- Fill in breakdowns
- Use Graph Editor to adjust timing
Straight Ahead:
- Animate frame-by-frame
- Use Onion Skin (Layer > Onion Skin)
5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action
// Delay expression for child layers
thisComp.layer("Parent").transform.position.valueAtTime(time - 0.05)Or:
- Offset child keyframes by 2-5 frames
- Use parenting with delayed wiggle
- Apply spring expression to end values
6. Slow In and Slow Out
- Select keyframes > F9 (Easy Ease)
- Graph Editor > Adjust bezier handles
- Steeper curve = faster movement
- Flatter curve = slower movement
// Custom ease expression
ease(time, inPoint, outPoint, startValue, endValue)7. Arc
Techniques:
- Draw motion path with Pen tool
- Use Position property's bezier handles
- Layer > Transform > Auto-Orient
- Apply path from shape layer to position
8. Secondary Action
- Animate main action first
- Add secondary on separate layer/property
- Offset timing slightly
- Secondary should complement, not compete
Example: Character waves → Hair follows → Clothing shifts
9. Timing
| Frames | Feel |
|---|---|
| 2-4 | Snappy, instant |
| 6-8 | Quick, energetic |
| 12-15 | Normal pace |
| 20-30 | Slow, heavy |
| 40+ | Dramatic, weighted |
Adjust composition frame rate for overall feel (24fps cinematic, 30fps smooth).
10. Exaggeration
// Overshoot expression
amp = 15;
freq = 3;
decay = 5;
t = time - key(numKeys).time;
if (t > 0) {
value + amp * Math.sin(t * freq * Math.PI * 2) / Math.exp(t * decay);
} else {
value;
}Push values 20-50% beyond realistic:
- Larger scales
- Wider rotations
- More dramatic timing
11. Solid Drawing
- Use 3D layers for depth
- Apply cameras with perspective
- Animate Z position
- Use light and shadow
- Consider volume in all poses
12. Appeal
Design principles:
- Clear silhouettes at every pose
- Smooth curves over sharp angles
- Consistent character proportions
- Pleasing timing patterns
- Clean, readable motion paths
Essential Expressions
// Wiggle
wiggle(frequency, amplitude)
// Loop
loopOut("cycle")
// Time remap
timeRemap = linear(time, 0, duration, 0, 1)
// Bounce
n = 0;
if (numKeys > 0) {
n = nearestKey(time).index;
if (key(n).time > time) n--;
}
if (n == 0) t = 0;
else t = time - key(n).time;
amp = 80; freq = 3; decay = 8;
value + amp*Math.sin(freq*t*2*Math.PI)/Math.exp(decay*t);Export Options
- Lottie: Bodymovin plugin → JSON
- GIF: Media Encoder
- Video: H.264, ProRes
- Sprite Sheet: Scripts > Render Sprite Sheet