Squash and Stretch: Adding Weight and Flexibility

Introduction to Squash and Stretch

High-Level Goal: Understand the foundational principle of Squash and Stretch in animation.

Squash and Stretch is one of the 12 basic principles of animation, introduced by Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas in their book The Illusion of Life [1]. It is a technique used to give animated objects and characters a sense of weight, flexibility, and life.

Why is Squash and Stretch Important?

• Conveys Weight and Flexibility: Squash and Stretch helps animators make objects and characters appear more dynamic and believable by simulating how they react to forces like gravity, impact, or motion.
• Adds Life to Animations: Without Squash and Stretch, animations can feel stiff and unnatural. This principle is essential for creating engaging and realistic motion.

Basic Examples of Squash and Stretch in Action

• A bouncing ball: When the ball hits the ground, it squashes. As it rebounds, it stretches.
• A character jumping: The character squashes when landing and stretches during the leap.

Understanding the Basics

High-Level Goal: Grasp the concepts of weight and flexibility in relation to Squash and Stretch.

Concept of Weight

Weight refers to how heavy or light an object appears in animation. For example:
- A bowling ball will squash less and move slower compared to a tennis ball, emphasizing its heaviness.
- A feather will stretch more and move fluidly, showing its lightness.

Concept of Flexibility

Flexibility refers to how much an object can bend or deform. For example:
- A rubber ball is highly flexible and will squash and stretch significantly.
- A wooden block is rigid and will show minimal deformation.

Examples of Heavy vs. Light Objects and Rigid vs. Flexible Objects

• Heavy Object: A bowling ball (minimal squash and stretch).
• Light Object: A balloon (significant squash and stretch).
• Rigid Object: A brick (almost no deformation).
• Flexible Object: A slinky (extreme deformation).

Applying Squash and Stretch in Animation

High-Level Goal: Learn how to apply Squash and Stretch in practical animation scenarios.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Squash and Stretch

1. Identify the Object’s Weight and Flexibility: Determine how much the object should squash and stretch based on its properties.
2. Apply Squash on Impact: When the object hits a surface, compress it vertically (squash).
3. Apply Stretch During Motion: As the object moves, elongate it in the direction of motion (stretch).
4. Maintain Volume Consistency: Ensure the object’s volume remains consistent throughout the animation.

Practical Examples

• Bouncing Ball:
• Squash when the ball hits the ground.
• Stretch as it moves upward.
• Character Jump:
• Squash when the character lands.
• Stretch during the upward leap.

Tips for Maintaining Volume Consistency

• Avoid over-squashing or over-stretching, which can make the object look unnatural.
• Use reference videos of real-world objects to guide your animation.

Advanced Techniques

High-Level Goal: Explore advanced techniques and combinations with other animation principles.

Combining Squash and Stretch with Other Principles

• Timing: Adjust the speed of squash and stretch to match the object’s weight and momentum.
• Anticipation: Use a slight squash before a jump to show preparation.
• Follow-Through: Add a stretch after the main action to emphasize motion.

Using Squash and Stretch for Emotional Expression

• Exaggerated squash and stretch can convey emotions like surprise, fear, or excitement. For example:
• A character’s face squashing in shock.
• A stretched body during a scream.

Examples of Emotional Expression Through Squash and Stretch

• A cartoon character’s eyes popping out (stretch) in surprise.
• A character’s body squashing when scared.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

High-Level Goal: Identify and avoid common pitfalls when using Squash and Stretch.

Overdoing Squash and Stretch

• Excessive deformation can make animations look unrealistic. Always balance exaggeration with believability.

Ignoring Volume Consistency

• Failing to maintain consistent volume can make objects appear to grow or shrink unnaturally.

Neglecting Context in Animation Scenes

• Consider the environment and physics of the scene. For example, a heavy object in water will behave differently than on land.

Conclusion

High-Level Goal: Summarize the key points and reinforce the importance of Squash and Stretch in animation.

Recap of Squash and Stretch Principles

• Squash and Stretch adds weight, flexibility, and life to animations.
• It is essential for creating dynamic and believable motion.

Importance of Weight and Flexibility in Animation

• Understanding weight and flexibility helps animators create realistic and engaging animations.

Encouragement to Practice and Combine with Other Animation Principles

• Practice applying Squash and Stretch in various scenarios.
• Combine it with other principles like Timing, Anticipation, and Follow-Through to enhance your animations.

References:
[1] Johnston, O., & Thomas, F. (1981). The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation.
[2] Beginner Animation Guides. (n.d.). Retrieved from Animation Mentor.
[3] Advanced Animation Techniques. (n.d.). Retrieved from AnimSchool.