Week 9: Arcs

One of the twelve principles of animation is Arcs. Arcs are created by movements that go from one point to another. In animation most movements done create arcs. It is mostly organic beings or things that created these arc movements. These arc movements are more evident in human and animal animation. Arc movements give the animation more realistic and fluid movement. Geometric forms such as robots and mechanical things tend to make linear and stiff movements. In real life humans also make body movements in arcs. We might not notice it but our arms move in arcs back and forth when walking. Our legs move this way as well. When we raise our arms. When we make a fist with our hand our fingers move in arcs. Even our heads. It is obvious when we move our heads up and down but when we turn our heads from one side to the other it moves in an arc form even though it looks like it turns in a linear path. In real life speed can affect arc movements. A slow car can make a sharp turn as opposed to a fast speeding car that will need more ground to make a turn. A plane naturally is always flying at high speeds therefore needs a lot of space to make a turn. In animation a plane can be animated flying fast and making abrupt arc maneuvers in little space and this will make the plane look erratic and cartoony because it is ignoring the laws of physics.


Wikipedia
Minyos: Animation Notes #5 - 12 Principles of Animation
Animation Toolworks