Course 04 · Intermediate · A complete project
Animate Your First Character
Give the character you already drew a loop. Two key poses, one in-between, and an even frame time. Three frames is enough.
You finish with
A 48 by 16 three-frame idle loop that reads as movement, with an even frame time and a seamless return to frame one.
One project, 6 small steps.
0/6 complete- 01
Find the Key Poses
7 minDraw the two extremes first and leave the middle empty on purpose.
Two key poses drawn in a 48 by 16 sheet, with the middle cell still empty.
- 02
Add One In-Between
7 minFill the gap with a blend, not a copy.
A middle frame positioned between the two extremes.
- 03
Hold the Timing Even
6 minGive every frame the same time so the loop does not stutter.
Three frames with one identical duration each, tested at game speed.
- 04
Make the Loop Seamless
6 minMake the last frame hand back to the first without a visible jump.
A loop whose last frame flows back into the first.
- 05
Test It at Game Speed
6 minJudge the loop at the size and rate a player will actually see.
A loop confirmed readable at native size and at a fast frame duration.
- 06
Export the Loop
5 minCheck transparency and cell alignment, then export the strip.
A transparent 48 by 16 PNG, plus an editable project backup.
A few things before you start
- Use the same saved project as you move through the lessons.
- Joining halfway through? Every lesson has an editable starting file.
- Complete the result checklist after practicing. Your progress stays in this browser.