Onion Skinning
What is onion skinning and how does it assist animators in motion graphics?
GLOSSARY
Onion Skinning is a feature found in animation software that allows animators to view multiple frames of an animation at once, overlaid with varying levels of transparency. This tool is invaluable for creating smooth, continuous movements in motion graphics, as it provides a clear reference for how objects or characters transition from one position to another across frames.
When animating a character walking, onion skinning can display the position of the character's limbs in previous and subsequent frames, helping the animator adjust the motion to achieve a natural walking cycle.
Technical definition
In practice, animators can adjust the number of onion skinning layers visible and their opacity, providing flexibility in how previous and future framesare compared. This method is especially useful for intricate motion sequences, ensuring a high degree of precision and fluidity in the final animation.