Animation Principles Refresher

If you've animated before, this is the checklist you wish you had pinned above your monitor. It covers the classic 12 principles (squash and stretch, anticipation, arcs, etc.) in a stripped-down format that assumes you already know what these are. No tutorials or hand-holding, just quick reminders like "volume constant, shape varies" and "silhouette test" to catch what you're forgetting mid-shot. It's built for people who learned this stuff years ago and need a fast reference while working, not beginners looking for their first introduction to timing and spacing.

GitHub stars: 70
last updated: Aug 21, 2026

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Install

$ npx -y skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill 'Animation Principles - Refresher' --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

Files

Quick Principles Refresher

You know these. Here's the checklist.

The 12

Squash/Stretch - Volume constant, shape varies. Check your impacts and fast motion.
Anticipation - Is the audience prepared? Opposite direction, proportional to action.
Staging - Silhouette test. One idea. Where's the eye going?
Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose - Right method for this shot? Maybe hybrid.
Follow Through / Overlap - Does everything stop at once? (It shouldn't.) Hierarchy: root leads, tips lag.
Slow In / Out - Checked your spacing charts? Bunched at ends, spread in middle.
Arcs - Track the paths. Everything curves unless intentionally broken.
Secondary Action - Supporting, not competing. Add after primary works.
Timing - Frame count matches intent? Weight, mood, pacing all live here.
Exaggeration - Did you push it enough? (Probably not.) Find real, then go 20% past.
Solid Drawing - Does it have weight? Volume consistent through motion?
Appeal - Would you watch this? Clear shapes, readable pose, distinctive design?