How to Make Flip Book Animation
You do not need a degree in graphic design or a background in fine arts in order to make a flip book animation. It is perhaps one of the simplest forms of art.
Think of each flip book page as a different screen. Move each screen on top of the other fast enough with similarly shaped images and voila, you have yourself a flip book animation. To help people understand the process and get them on their way we will delve in some detail.
Things Required:
– a pen or pencil
– a notebook or flip book
– your imagination
– the ability to draw basic shapes
Instructions
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1
For this particular example, we are going to draw a clock with the time changing. The first thing one needs to do is to draw a circle on the bottom right hand corner of every page. Make sure that the circle is in the exact same spot on every page. It does not have to be perfect but the more accurate it is the better the end result will be.
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2
Now, in each circle make two clock hands. Start with both at 12 o’clock. You may wish to add the various time numbers around the clock if you wish to do so but it is extremely time consuming. Instead simply draw it at the 12, 3, 6 and 9.
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3
On each new page, draw the clock arm in a new position. It does not matter which direction you go, be it clockwise or anticlockwise, the direction in which you flip the flip book will determine how the clock hands move. Remember to make fine increments in the clock hand movements between each new page so the animation is smooth and not jerky.
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4
Keep moving along to the different circles and adding clock hands. The more pages you use for the clock hands moving the more fluent the animation will be.
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5
Once you are done, flip the pages to see the clock with the changing clock hands.
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6
With this concept in your mind you can now refine your animation. Make a stick figure run and jump or something else that you might like. There are a number of more advanced techniques that can be learned but only after you understand the basic concept.
