Objects and Layers

[Objects / Layers]  [Timelines / Sequences]  [Lessons / Exercises]

An Introduction to how to map out your animations.  More illustrations are ahead in the sections.

Objects and Layers are inseparable...  Actually objects are separable only by layer.  Find out what I mean by reading ahead into this area.  By the time you are done with this part of it, you should then be ready to start applying what you know about objects and layers to your timelines and sequences.  

Objects

You're quite capable of imagining your drawings actually moving.  So why go through the hassle of actually performing the great task of copying it into a flipbook?  Because you can. 

That's right.  You should do it just because you're able to, and I'm going to show you just how able you are.  But first, follow me through a series of steps.  Some will seem familiar, others not.  Please concentrate on the areas that seem unfamiliar.  These are probably the points that will help you the most.  

An example of how a computer draws flipbooks

First of all, you should understand that the terms "Object" and "Layer" come from computer programming.  They're terms used when designing animation in certain software (the kind like these people use).  Only for now, I'm applying it to things that you draw on paper.  It works the same way.  

1.  What is an Object?

Section:  Definition of Objects

An "Object" can be just about anything in a flipbook.  Some are more animate than others.  You can draw an object the same for 80 pages, and then flip it, and this will look the same as if you were not flipping the pages.  Why would anybody do this?

So you need to be able to identify objects, as such that they are able to be distinguished.  

2.  Objects can move.

Section:  Motion of Objects

Though it is important to identify that an object is capable of moving, it is also necessary to distinguish whether it moves on its own, something else is causing it to move, or it is merely sitting still and you are the one that's moving.  Each of these characteristics will cause you to understand why things move.  

Because the art of animation is the illustration of intelligence in a seemingly unintelligent world.  While you are sitting there, staring at a notebook, there is something that is triggered by your brain to make you believe or imagine that you're seeing something moving.  

3.  Objects can change chape.

Section:  Morphing

Though it is important to identify that an object is capable of moving, it is also necessary to distinguish whether it moves on its own, something else is causing it to move, or it is merely sitting still and you are the one that's moving.  Each of these characteristics will cause you to understand why things move.  

Because the art of animation is the illustration of intelligence in a seemingly unintelligent world.  While you are sitting there, staring at a notebook, there is something that is triggered by your brain to make you believe or imagine that you're seeing something moving. 

3.  Objects affect eachother.

Section:  Object Dependency. 

Could you imagine the excitement of the people who made the first flipbooks, once they realized that the same effect could probably be achieved with photographs?  Those people knew movies were going to exist, well before they did.  And I wonder if they had any idea what kind of impact it would have on us. 

Let's face it.  The world isn't perfect, and the only reason we have a concept of "perfection" is because we see it in our minds.  Let's find a way to share our personal perfection with eachother, shall we?

So establish an object.  Let's start with a simple one.  A square.  Now picture that square, turning into different shapes.  It could turn into a triangle, or it could split into two separate squares.  You should try this as an exercise.