In 2025, frame by frame animation techniques involve creating an animation by drawing or manipulating a sequence of images, each slightly different, to create the illusion of motion when played in rapid succession. In this blog, we will guide you through the fundamental principles of frame-by-frame animation.
What is Frame by Frame Animation?
Frame by frame animation techniques are a traditional animation that creates motion by drawing each frame separately. This provides creative control and complete freedom of visual storytelling.
Procedure: Step-by-Step Explanation
- Concept and story development
- Script and storyboarding
- Banana pose keyframes
- Creating Inbetweens
- Adding color and giving the final touch
- Adding feedback such as timing, scale, and actions
History of Frame by Frame Animation in Disney & Beyond
Timeline of Evolution:
- 1800s: Phenakistoscope and Zoetrope
- 1900s: Flipbook animation
- 1920s: The appearance of Disney
- 1980s: Beginning of computer animation
- After 2000s: Hybrid Animation (Frame by Frame + Digital Tools)
Disney Legacy:
Disney made classic movies like Fantasia, Bambi, and The Lion King. I unleashed the magic of frame-by-frame animation. The depth of expression, movement, and emotion of the characters in these films was made possible by this technique.
Why Disney Hasn’t Done Full Frame-By-Frame Since 2009
Disney in 2009, The Princess and the Frog, then turned off the full frame-by-frame animation. Most projects now are hybrid or full CG.
Types of Frame-By-Frame Animation
The techniques used in frame-by-frame animation in 2025 combine art and technology to produce astonishing results.
Rotoscoping
Rotoscoping is a technique for creating animation by tracing real videos. This method is used to show the movement of characters closer to reality, especially when the accuracy of complex body movements or emotional expressions is desired. Nowadays, digital software like Adobe After Effects makes this technique quick and easy to use.
Stop Motion
Stop-motion animation is a style in which real objects are photographed by moving them little by little, one frame at a time. When these images are played in sequence, the illusion of motion is created. This technique is very popular in children’s films, clay animation, and model-based videos, and will still hold its own in 2025.
Flipbook Animation
Flipbook animation is the oldest and simplest form of frame-by-frame animation, in which images are drawn by hand onto pages. When these pages are flipped rapidly, the effect of motion is created. Although this technique is traditional, it is still used today for basic animation training and can easily be created using digital apps.
Modern Enhancements to Traditional Frame-by-Frame
Traditional frame-by-frame animation is being made faster, more efficient, and more creative in 2025 by modern tools, smart features, and digital workflows.
Tweening vs. Frame-by-Frame
Tweening is an advanced technique in which the computer automatically creates motion between the initial and final frames. This method saves time and is perfect for showing simple movements like walking or waving. In contrast, in the frame-by-frame technique, each frame is created by itself, providing greater detail, expression, and artistic control. Hybrid animations are also being created in 2025, combining both techniques, bringing balance to creation.
2D and 3D Rigging
Rigging is the technique of attaching different parts of a character’s body to digital control points so that the character can be moved without having to draw every frame. In 2D rigging, flat characters are controlled, while in 3D rigging, sculpted characters are moved with bones. This method gives more effective results when combined with frame-by-frame animation, especially when complex movements or angle changes are intended.
Onion Skinning for Smoother Workflows
Onion skinning is a feature that shows the animator a light reflection of the previous and next frames, so that he can better position and move the current frame. This technique is extremely useful for accuracy and fluidity in frame-by-frame animation. In 2025, almost all modern animation software supports this feature, making the workflow faster and smoother.
| Feature | Frame by frame | Twinning |
| Creative control | More | limited |
| Time savings | No | Yes |
| Emotional depth | A lot | less |
Benefits of Frame-by-Frame Animation
- Complete artistic control
- Unique expression and movement
- Closer to reality, Feedback
- Emotional depth in storytelling
- Perfect for small projects or cinematic videos
Disadvantages of Frame-By-Frame Animation
- Time-consuming and costly
- Labor-intensive for longer productions
- Not always practical for commercial projects
Frame by Frame Animation Process: How It’s Done
The process of creating frame by frame animation techniques in 2025 is streamlined, step-by-step, and easier than ever with digital tools.
Story and Script
Any animation starts with a clear idea and a script. In this stage, the story, the characters’ personalities, the dialogues, and the setting of the scenes are decided. Since frame-by-frame animation is detail-oriented, a strong script helps define the direction of each frame.
Storyboard
In storyboarding, the story is organized visually through diagrams. The key moments of each scene are shown in a single frame so that the direction of the whole process is clear. This step helps the animator decide when, how, and where to display which frame.
Sketching
In this stage, preliminary sketches of characters, scenes, and movements are made. These diagrams are not very detailed but are designed to understand action and movement. In 2025, digital drawing tablets and software will make this work faster and more sophisticated.
Keyframing
Keyframes are important poses that indicate the beginning and end of a movement. For example, if a character is jumping, there will be a moment frame taking off from the ground and landing on the ground. This basic structure provides the foundation for the rest of the frames.
Inbetweening
In inbetweening, all the frames between keyframes are made so that the motion looks smooth and natural. This step is time-consuming, but it is the lifeblood of frame-by-frame animation. Some advanced software now also provides AI support for interweaving.
Final Coloring and Editing
In the last step, all the frames are finalized with color filling, shading, backgrounds, effects, and timing. Sound, music, and other editing elements are added to make the finished animation look professional and lively. This is when the rough sketch turns into a finished piece of art.
Read more: Step by Step 3D Animation Production Pipeline
Frame by Frame in Anime
Frame-by-frame animation holds a special place in anime, as it is the most effective means of richly expressing characters’ emotions, action scenes, and stylized movements. Although not every scene is shot frame-by-frame, important moments such as fight scenes, close-ups, and emotional scenes must use this technique—studios like Studio Ghibli, MAP, and Ufotable use this technique for its beauty and detail.
When Should You Use Frame-by-Frame Animation?
Frame-by-frame animation is the best choice for projects that require creative expression, depth of emotion, and subtlety of movement. If you want to tell a visually memorable story, like a short film, explainer video, or artistic project, this technique can be very effective for you. Especially when the characters’ expressions and emotions are meant to be subtly displayed, this style becomes even more important.
Read more: 10 Common Animation Mistakes to Avoid
Conclusion
Frame by frame animation techniques that breathe emotion into every movement. It is labor-intensive, but the result is always heartwarming. If you want to see your stories come alive in this style, Innova Designz is your best partner. Whether you want to create a 2D Animation short film, create animation content for YouTube, or uniquely present a brand, Innova Designz not only has the technical expertise but also feels every project from the heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Frames per Second Is Best for Frame-By-Frame?
Most frame-by-frame animations are made at 12 FPS (frames per second) or 24 FPS. 12 FPS is usually sufficient for web animation or simple animations, while 24 FPS is used for cinema quality.
Do Animators Still Draw Every Frame?
Yes, every frame is drawn, especially in traditional and high-quality animations. However, many animators in modern times use hybrid techniques, such as twinning or rigging, to save time and effort.
What Software Do Professionals Use?
Professional animators use software like Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate CC, TVPaint, and Photoshop + After Effects. This software provides excellent frame-by-frame control, on-screen scanning, and export options.
Can I Do Frame-By-Frame Animation on an iPad?
There are a number of great iPad apps these days, such as Procreate, RoughAnimator, FlipaClip, and Callipeg, that let you create complete frame-by-frame animations. With Apple Pencil, this experience becomes easier and more creative.
