Timing Charts

As the animation processes developed, systems needed to become implemented to help animators chart out the motion of an object. Timing charts are used to show the planned timing for a movement. But before we can understand this method you need to know some basic ideas of how the animation movement is planned out.

Key drawings

Key drawings, or also called extremes, or key poses in 3d animation, are the main drawings/ poses that illustrate the beginning and ending point of a motion. The most extreme poses of the object for a specific movement like walking, or lifting a glass, or a ball bouncing up and down, etc.

Inbeween Drawings

The inbetween drawings are the drawings placed in between the two extreme drawings.

Timing Chart

The timing chart is used to determine the position of the inbetweens for the extreme drawings. Basically, it indicates the small incremental movements that get you from one extreme to another. The greater the distance, or amount of change, from one frame to another will indicate how fast or slow the object seems to move.

Common timing charts are shown below:

Halves: Halves place an inbetween directly between the two extreme drawings/ poses.

Thirds: There are only two inbetweens placed a third of the way from the first extreme and a third from the last extreme.