after-effects

name	after-effects
description	Use when implementing Disney's 12 animation principles in Adobe After Effects

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):

1. Set keyframes at key poses
2. Fill in breakdowns
3. Use Graph Editor to adjust timing

Straight Ahead:

• Animate frame-by-frame
• Use Onion Skin (Layer > Onion Skin)

5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action