Toon Boom Harmony is the industry standard for 2D animation, used by studios around the world. If you're just starting out, the interface and features can seem overwhelming. Here are some essential tips to help you on your animation journey.
Master the Basics First
Before diving into complex animations, make sure you understand the fundamental principles of animation. The classic 12 principles still apply, whether you're working digitally or traditionally. Focus on:
- Timing and spacing
- Squash and stretch
- Anticipation and follow-through
- Arcs and ease-in/ease-out
Set Up Your Workspace
Toon Boom Harmony is incredibly customizable. Take time to arrange your workspace in a way that makes sense for your workflow. I recommend:
- Keeping the timeline and camera view easily accessible
- Having the tool properties panel visible for quick adjustments
- Setting up keyboard shortcuts for tools you use frequently
- Creating custom toolbars with your most-used features
The Power of the Light Table
One of Harmony's most useful features is the light table (onion skinning). This lets you see previous and next frames while drawing, which is essential for maintaining smooth motion. Learn to adjust the number of visible frames and their opacity to suit different animation tasks.
Use the Right Drawing Tools
Harmony offers several drawing tools, each with its strengths:
- Pencil Tool: Great for rough animation and traditional workflows
- Brush Tool: Perfect for painting and cleanup
- Stroke Tool: Ideal for creating smooth, vector-based lines
- Shape Tools: Useful for geometric elements and backgrounds
Layer Management
Keep your project organized from the start. Use descriptive names for your layers and group related elements together. A typical character setup might include:
- Character body (main layer)
- Facial features (separate layers for easier manipulation)
- Effects and highlights
- Shadow layer
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
1. Animating on Ones When You Should Use Twos
Not every animation needs to be done "on ones" (a drawing for every frame). Most animation looks perfectly smooth "on twos" (one drawing every two frames), and it saves you half the work!
2. Forgetting to Create Drawing Substitutions
When you need to reuse a drawing, use drawing substitutions instead of redrawing. This saves time and maintains consistency.
3. Not Previewing Often Enough
Get in the habit of playing back your animation frequently. What looks good as still frames might feel wrong in motion, and vice versa.
Practice Projects for Beginners
Start with simple exercises:
- Bouncing ball (the classic animation exercise for good reason)
- Character blink cycle
- Simple walk cycle
- Flour sack character performing an action
Resources and Learning
Toon Boom offers excellent tutorials on their website, and there's a vibrant community of animators sharing tips and techniques. Don't hesitate to study animation from studios you admire – there's always something new to learn.
Remember, animation is a skill that improves with practice. Your first animations might not be perfect, and that's okay! Each project teaches you something new. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and most importantly, have fun with the process.