1. Click on Animan to begin your adventure!
Cycle
Betweening
Dip
Squash
The B,C,D,S of Animation
Find out some of the tricks that animators use to make your animations
more professional!
When students click on the character an audio file would play explaining how and why the 4 basic principles are used by animators and how these principles can help them produce better animations. It would then explain that the students should explore each of these principles by clicking on each top button and then listen to the audio file by clicking on the mini character. It will then explain that they should test their knowledge level by clicking on the question mark for a quick quiz.
Click on Animan to begin your adventure!

2. The Cycle—it’s not a bicycle, it’s a complete movement!
Betweening
Dip
Squash
The Cycle—it’s not a bicycle, it’s a complete movement!
Animation building window where cycles are placed to be viewed.
The little Animan in the corner will be waving to get the learner’s attention. When he/she clicks on him, an audio file will explain that animators don’t draw a character doing movement (i.e. walking) for long periods of time; they draw a complete movement that can be repeated and reversed for as many times as necessary to create the movement for a set period of time. Learners will explore how movement cycles can be placed in order and rearranged to create a series of movements that can be viewed. When the learners click on the quiz, it will take them to a new window that ask a series of short questions.
The home button will return the learner to the opening screen.
Walk Cycle
Run Cycle
Jump Cycle
Skip Cycle ?
Click on me to hear what a cycle is and how to build one.
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click here to test your level of knowledge.

3. Let’s play, do you know your cycle?
Betweening
Dip
Squash
Let’s play, do you know your cycle?
A cycle is ____________?
a complete movement
the beginning of a movement
the end of a movement.
the middle of a movement
Click on me when you want to go home!

4. A cycle is ____________?
Betweening
Dip
Squash
A cycle is ____________?
A complete movement
The beginning of a movement
The end of a movement.
The middle of a movement
Once the learner clicks on an answer, it will take him/her to a new window that will either show their answer highlighted in blue or red. If the answer is wrong (highlighted in red) an audio file will automatically play telling him/her why that answer is incorrect. (example audio file say: “You need more than the beginning of a movement for your animation to appear natural. Plan what the whole movement should look like to make sure you get your viewer’s attention with your finished animation. Try this question again to see what Animan does when your answer is right!”). If they choose the correct answer, Animan will grow and do a summersault or high five action to confirm the answer is correct.
Click on me to try again
Click on me when you want to go home!

5. Betweening—the secret to smooth and natural movement!
Cycle
Betweening
Dip
Squash
Betweening—the secret to smooth and natural movement!
Betweening building window where weights are placed on the board which is then moved to create movement.
last
middle
Weights
When the learner clicks on any of the objects for movement (weights, boards or triangle) it will open to a new window where the learner can manipulate the weights to
first ?
Click on me to hear how betweening will make your animation have pizzazz!
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click here to test your level of knowledge.

6. Cycle
Betweening
Dip
Squash
Now it’s your turn, place the weights in the first middle and last position—don’t forget to move the board as well. Press play to see what it looks like
weights
Ask me what I think.
After the learner places the weights and moves the board for the first, middle and last position, he/she can press play to see how it moves. He/she can press on Animan who will give feedback and how successful the movement looks natural. ?
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click here to test your level of knowledge.

7. Let’s play, do you know your betweening?
Cycle
Betweening
Dip
Squash
Let’s play, do you know your betweening?
What happens when you place the weights on either end but do not move the board?
the weights appear to fall off the board
the weights appear to be floating mid air during the beginning
Click on me when you want to go home!

8. The Dip—it’s not necessarily a dance move!
Cycle
Betweening
Dip
Squash
The Dip—it’s not necessarily a dance move!
eyes
head
pupils
Animation building window where cycles are placed to be viewed. ?
Click on me to hear what a dip is and why it’s important.
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click here to test your level of knowledge.

9. Let’s play, do you know your dip?
Cycle
Betweening
Dip
Squash
Let’s play, do you know your dip?
When creating a head turn do you need to arc?
The head and pupils
The head, pupils, eye lids and eyes
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click on me to try again

10. Squish/Squash—it’s not what you do to a grape!
Cycle
Betweening
Dip
Squash
Squish/Squash—it’s not what you do to a grape!
Animation building window where the learner can apply the squish/squash factor on a bouncing ball and see the effect.
This principle helps the learner to understand the importance and effect of gravity on an object. ?
Click on me to hear what the squish/squash factor is and how apply it.
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click here to test your level of knowledge.

11. Let’s play, do you know your squish/squash?
Cycle
Cycle
Betweening
Betweening
Dip
Dip
Squash
Squash
Let’s play, do you know your squish/squash?
The learner can experiment with the level of modification they can do to a bouncing object. - +
Click on the arrow to increase or decrease speed. ?
Click on me for tips.
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click here to test your level of knowledge.

12. ? Let’s play, do you know your squish/squash?
Cycle
Cycle
Betweening
Betweening
Dip
Dip
Squash
Squash
Let’s play, do you know your squish/squash?
The Cycle—it’s not a bicycle, it’s a complete movement!
When the ball is in the air it should it become ___
Animation building window where cycles are placed to be viewed.
thinner and longer
shorter and wider
no change
At the end of this quiz, the learner is rewarded with an animation showing this principle’s effect on a human character.
Walk Cycle
Run Cycle
Jump Cycle
Skip Cycle ?
Click on me to hear what a cycle is and how to build one.
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click on me when you want to go home!
Click here to test your level of knowledge.
Click on me to try again

13. Cycle
Betweening
Dip
Squash
You’ve seen what it can do to a ball, click on the box to see how the squish/squash factor can effect a character jumping.
That’s was neat, now what?
Click on me when you want to go home!