← Animation Glossary

Layers

Layers in animation are like sheets of paper that are placed on top of each other to create an image. Each layer contains different parts of the picture, such as the background, characters, or special effects. By using layers, animators can easily move and edit each element without affecting the others.

Layering also enables animators to make changes to specific components of the animation without having to redo the entire image. For instance, if the character’s facial expression needs to be altered, it can be done on a separate layer without affecting the rest of the animation.

Layers are also important when it comes to creating motion graphics and visual effects. In motion graphics, layers are used to create different elements that make up the overall design of the animation. For example, in a logo animation, different layers can be used for each element of the logo such as the text, shape, and color. This allows for more precise control over each individual element and how it moves or interacts with other elements in the animation.

Visual effects such as explosions or particle effects require multiple layers to create a realistic effect. Each layer contains a different part of the effect such as smoke, fire, or debris. By animating each layer independently, animators can create an intricate effect that looks realistic and believable.

Furthermore, layers are not limited to just 2D animations. In 3D animations, layers are used to separate different parts of the render into individual sections that can be manipulated independently. For example, different layers can be used for a character’s body, clothing, and hair.

Layers are a crucial component in animation as they allow for greater control over individual elements in an image or animation. Animators use layers to separate different parts of an image so that they can be easily manipulated without affecting other elements. Layers enable animators to add depth and complexity to their animations and create stunning visual effects. Whether it is 2D or 3D animation, using layers is essential in creating high-quality animations that captivate audiences.

Animation Terms

2

2D Animation

3

3D Animation

A

Alpha Channel

Ambient sound

Animation

Anti-Aliasing

Anticipation

Aspect Ratio

B

Bezier Curve

Bitmap

Blue Screen

Bone Animation

Bounce

Broadcast Standards

C

Camera Angle

Camera Shake

Casting

Cel Animation

Character Animation

Character Design Sheets

Cinematic lighting

Claymation

Clean-up

Close-up

Color Correction

Color Grading

Compositing

Composition

Concept Art

Continuity editing

Cross-cutting

Cut

Cutout nimation

D

Depth of Field

Dialogue

Dissolve

Distributed Rendering

Dolby Atmos

Dope Sheet

Dutch Angle

E

Easing

Emitter

Exaggeration

Eyedropper

F

Foley

Follow through

Forward Kinematics

Frame Rate

Frame

Framing

Freeze Frame

G

Ghosting

GIF File Format

Golden Ratio

Graph Editor

H

High key lighting

Hue and Saturation

I

Inertia

Infographic Animation

Inverse Kinematics

J

Joint

JPEG File Format

Jump cut

K

Keyframe Interpolation

Keyframe

Kinetic typography

L

Layers

Lens distortion

Level of Detail

Lighting

Line of action

Lip syncing

Low key lighting

M

Match cut

Matte painting

Montage

Morphing

Motion blur

Motion capture

Motion graphics

Motion path

Motion trail

Mouth shapes

MP3 File Format

MP4 File Format

N

Network rendering

Non-linear editing

O

Occlusion culling

Onion skinning

Overlapping action

P

Pan

Parallel rendering

Particle system

Persistance of Vision

Phonemes

Playback speed

Plot

PNG File Format

Pose-to-pose animation

Props

Puppet animation

R

Render farm

Rendering

Resolution

Rigging

Rotoscoping

Rule of thirds

Run cycle

S

Safe zone

Scene

Score

Screenplay

Script

Shot

Silhouette

Skeletal animation

Slow Motion

Smears

Sound Design

Sound effects

Soundtrack

Special Effects

Split screen

Squash and Stretch

Staging

Stop Motion Animation

Storyboard

Straight-ahead Animation

T

Time Remapping

Timeline

Timing

Title Card

Title Sequence

Tracking shot

Tweening

V

Vector graphics

Visemes

Voice acting

Voice-over Narration

W

Walk cycle

WebM File Format

Weighting

Wide shot

Z

Z-depth

Zoom

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