Looping
In animation, a "loop" is a sequence of frames that plays repeatedly from start to finish without stopping. A looping animation is designed so that the final frame connects smoothly back to the first frame.
Looping is commonly used in short animations, games, icons, and digital illustrations. It allows a small number of frames to create the impression of ongoing movement without needing a long video.
A well-made loop feels smooth and natural. The viewer should not notice where the animation restarts.
How looping works
For an animation to loop successfully, the final frame must connect clearly to the first frame.
This means that:
- The position of objects should match at the start and end
- Movement should continue naturally
- Colours and backgrounds should remain consistent
If the first and last frames do not match, the animation will appear to “jump” when it restarts.
In tools like Brush Ninja, loops are created by arranging frames so that the sequence flows back to the beginning.
Common examples of looping animations
Many everyday animations are loops.
Examples include:
- A bouncing ball
- A blinking character
- A rotating wheel
- A waving flag
- Flowing water
These movements repeat naturally, making them easy to loop smoothly.
Creating smooth loops
Good loops are planned from the start.
When designing a looping animation, it helps to:
- Sketch the first and last frames together
- Think about where the movement begins and ends
- Avoid sudden changes at the loop point
- Test the animation early
One common technique is to make the first and last frames identical. This guarantees a smooth transition, although it is not always necessary.
Another approach is to design the movement as a cycle, such as a walk or bounce, where the ending naturally leads back to the beginning.
